Hi Aussies

I wanted to let you know about a project I have been working on for quite some time. (as the title says) - A wind meter for your smartphone.

As a kitesurfer I wanted to be able to measure windspeed using my smartphone and share it with other kiters. If you think this idea is cool you can try support the project by checking out the project on kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/vaavud/a-wireless-wind-meter-containing-no-electronics?ref=live (see the video). Note you are quick you can get one for 20 pounds including shipping to AUS.

Btw. I visited AU last semester for "studying". You guys are so lucky with your vast untouched beached perfect for kiteing. Just remember even when it is could could in South Australia is nothing compared to Denmark :). The day I were out in the video it were freezing!

Any
Hope you are interested in the project and hope you will support it.

Regards
Andreas

Really good idea. Problem is for around $20Aud we can purchase an anemometer which does the same thing. And small enough also to take anywhere.

Again your own is a really good idea but I know us Aussies are always looking for a great deal when it comes to prices. So no offence I just couldn't spend 20 pound on one

I find it a great idea, even more for the sharing than the hardware itself. I think it would be great if we could post the actual wind speed and direction on the water at the locations we sail, which often are far from the weather stations or influenced by local geography. Something we should talk to seabreeze or gpsteamchallenge or just create our own app.

Excellent idea !!!!

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deejay8204 said...
Really good idea. Problem is for around $20Aud we can purchase an anemometer which does the same thing. And small enough also to take anywhere.

Again your own is a really good idea but I know us Aussies are always looking for a great deal when it comes to prices. So no offence I just couldn't spend 20 pound on one

Yes, you can find cheeper anemometers on the web. The main idea behind the device and system is to be able to share the data, which could have huge value for kite and windsurfers. I would love that my friends could benefit from my measurements and perhaps use the tool to meet at the same spots.

We would love to incorporate the data into other existing services, but now we need to get the project going first :)

abo, using the phone magnetic field sensors to read the rpm of the cup anemometer is very clever and novel. Out of curiosity, what sort of bearing did you use on the shaft? Also, I assume, you are using a Kalman filter for the final output - if so, how did you characterise the measurement noise covariance?

Let me know if you need help with the Android app...