Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Pebble Yacht Racer Latest

So I have got sadly into Pebble watch apps. You can check out my existing apps at www.mypebblefaces.com
So why was I interested in pebble as a platform especially given other smart watches.  The big driver for me is the fact {ebble is waterproof. As a keen sailor competitively of sailing dinghies, small day sailing keel boats and yachts and as geek into data analysis and technology. I figured a good opportunity exists with a smart watch to do more than other watches have done before. So the scenario....
    A watch on wrist with extensive sailing information least of which is timings for gun as existing app.
So what data is useful ? lets start with basics.



  • Compass for current bearing
  • True bearing from GPS on phone.
  • Speed from GPS in knots.
  • Wind forecsat bearing.
  • Next forecast windshift and direction.
  • Estimation of high tide and low tide based upon location.
  • Track GPS track from start to finish of race.
  • Set waypoints for each bouy so can do post analysis and possible comparison versus competitors.
  • Racing compass to detect wind shifts so take wind measure and then calc actial wind direction and shift status.
  • Ability to upload GPS track to map analysis sites and ideally into open maps maps.
  • Quiz high tides and weather for locations around world.
  • View data on phone and watch.
  • Control state of app from Watch and from phone.
  • Add more dimensions if possible e.g Depth sounder, more sophisticated measures (e.g. settings such as tensions, allow some post sailing analysis)
  • Work out how to combine data for analysis to predicate course to sail based on previous races.
  • Racing rules available.
  • Bacground data from local sailing clubs if available.

  • Phew no short order as a starting list. While I had done pebble apps that also means getting up to speed on smart phone development. IOS and Android. Platform to start with is IOS (as that is kit I haverather than development preference).

     So anyhow its been a steep learning curve but starting to get there. Keen to hear from those whoalso sail as to what other features they think are important and also what locations.

    I posted a video in early development on youtube heere.

    New posts coming soon.


    No comments:

    Post a Comment