Update on my round nav pod: it's on the real screen now, and it's a map, not just arrows. Raw video, plus what changed after your feedback
The video
This is the actual pod, an ESP32 with a 1.85" round LCD, filmed on my phone. No renders and no simulator this time. It's running off a power bank for now (more on that below). The screen content is untouched and as raw as possible.
What changed after your feedback
- It's map-first now. Many of you said turn-by-turn arrows alone don't work at Indian junctions, and you were right. The default screen is now a simple heading-up map: your route as a bold line, the side roads at the next junction so you can tell which gap to take, and the distance and road name on top. A full street map exists too, but it's experimental. On this chip it can't hold a smooth frame rate, and I'd rather ship a simple map that never stutters.
- Works through dead zones. When you preview a route, the phone downloads the street map along the whole route. So the pod's map keeps working when you lose signal on the highway. Planning a new route still needs internet. Full offline maps are still on the list.
- GPX routes stay intact. If you plan a scenic route and miss a turn, it reroutes to your next waypoint instead of giving up on your plan and taking the fastest road.
- Lean angle and g-force (Sport Mode). This uses the motion sensor built into the board. I tested the maths on recorded rides, and the screen labels it "estimated". I still haven't checked it properly on the bike, so treat it as a toy for now.
Performance: on the board, the map runs at 30FPS. I'll post the raw numbers if anyone wants them.
Still not done, so you know
- The enclosure. The 3D-printed parts have arrived, but I've hit some issues fitting everything inside, so I'm still working on that. That's why it's on a power bank in the video and not in its case. Waterproofing and a proper test in direct sunlight come after that.
- Battery life. The plan is a built-in battery that charges over USB-C, but I won't quote hours until I've measured them in the real case.
- Bugs. There are still a few small ones, and I'm fixing them. The UI keeps getting upgraded too, so what you see here will keep improving.
- The apps. The iPhone and Android apps are both close to done.
- Long test rides with the phone locked in a pocket. It's built for that, and I'm testing it now.
What I'd like from you this time
- Watch the video at normal speed. Can you read the distance and the turn in one glance? What would you make bigger, or remove?
- Power: a built-in battery you charge at home, or no battery and run it straight off the bike's USB? (Several of you raised battery ageing and heat.)
- Where would you mount it on your bike?
Price: it's now looking like ₹6,000–8,000. I'll confirm the final price closer to launch. There's no Google Maps on the pod: their terms don't allow it on a third-party display, and it would mean a subscription for everyone.
If you want one, you can pre-register at thetripx.in. You'll hear first when it's ready, and nothing is charged. Roast away 🙏