Title: ChatGPT’s Digital Replacement: Revamping a Toyota Speedometer with Arduino
If you’ve ever dealt with a stubborn speedometer that refuses to cooperate, you understand the frustration. That’s exactly what happened to one determined individual trying to fix their Toyota truck’s speedometer. Determined not to let it slow them down, they decided to create a digital replacement to keep their vehicle on the road while they searched for a proper speedometer.
To accomplish this, they turned to an old Arduino Duemilanove and a spare OLED display. While the Arduino’s LDO (low dropout) voltage regulator could handle the electrical interference, they needed to level shift the speed sensor pulses for compatibility. A simple NPN BJT inverter did the trick, with a resistor to ensure accurate pulse detection for the odometer.
But here’s where things get interesting. Instead of manually creating the code, they decided to put ChatGPT, a popular AI tool, to the test. They were skeptical about its abilities but were shocked by the results. ChatGPT not only utilized common Arduino libraries, but it also configured the I2C interface correctly and even handled interrupts flawlessly. The code generated by ChatGPT was almost perfect, requiring only minor adjustments. It left them wondering if the AI tool had borrowed someone else’s working code.
Encouraged by the success of the code, they wanted to test it out before performing any wiring changes on their truck’s speed sensor. Luckily, they had a spare sensor and managed to spin it on their desk. However, they needed a custom part to facilitate this testing. Again, they turned to ChatGPT, this time for assistance with designing and 3D printing the necessary component. The AI tool didn’t disappoint, providing workable code for OpenSCAD. Within 90 minutes, they had a functional part in hand, and the satisfaction was palpable.
Eager to see the digital replacement in action, they connected everything together. The display showcased the speed, engine mileage, trip odometer, and even had a button to reset the trip odometer. They also incorporated a DSO-138 oscilloscope to capture and analyze the pulse readings. The new setup worked flawlessly, keeping accurate mileage and constantly updating the speed. The only downside was that the display was unreadable in daylight, requiring nighttime driving for visibility.
Impressed with ChatGPT’s capabilities, they decided to create a shield for the Arduino to streamline the installation process. The shield featured screw terminals for power and sensor signals, as well as the reset button and the OLED display.
While the display had some limitations, the entire process from starting with ChatGPT to installation in the truck took approximately three hours. This significantly reduced the time spent on coding, with the focus shifting towards polishing the output. Overall, the experience was highly satisfactory, and they expressed their willingness to use ChatGPT again in the future.
This project exemplifies the power of combining AI assistance with DIY endeavors. With the right tools and a little creativity, individuals can overcome challenges and find innovative solutions to everyday problems.
