Rangefinder for Garage Parking with Arduino

Matrix display

Soldering iron (generic)

Arduino Leonardo with Headers

<p ></p><div class="se-component se-video-container __se__float-none" contenteditable="false" style="width: 100%;"><figure style="width: 100%; height: 56.25%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; margin: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tEMkSV7vZGM" data-proportion="true" data-percentage="100%,56.25%" data-size="100%,56.25%" data-align="none" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" data-index="0" data-file-size="0" data-origin="100%,56.25%"></iframe></figure></div><p >This simple project will help you park your car in the garage by displaying the distance from objects in front of your car's bumper. A 'stop' message will tell you when it's time to stop. The project is based on the usual HC-SR04 or Parallax Ping))) (tm) ultrasonic rangefinders and an Arduino board. I used the Leonardo  but it should work on any other original or compatible board. </p><p >For the display I chose a matrix version for its size and for aesthetic reasons.</p><h3 >Step 1: What You Need...</h3><p >To build this project you need:</p><ul ><li >An Arduino board:An original or compatible board should work as the code doesn't make use of specialized pins/function.You can find it everywhere on the internet or maybe you have one unused in a drawer in your lab. </li></ul><ul ><li ><span >An HC-SR04 or Parallax Ping))) ultrasonic rangefinder:They are commonly used with Arduino projects so, probably, you already have it.Anyway here are some links:- </span><a href="https://www.parallax.com/product/28015">Parallax Ping))) on Parallax</a><span >- </span><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13959">HC-SR04 on Sparkfun</a><span >- </span><a href="https://www.pololu.com/product/1605">Parallax Ping)) on Pololu</a><span >-</span><a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xhc-sr04+sensor.TRS0&_nkw=hc-sr04+sensor&_sacat=0"> HC-SR04 search result from Ebay</a></li></ul><ul ><li ><span >The Four matrix display:I bought it from </span><a href="https://iotmodules.co.uk/">IOTMODULES</a><span > on Ebay: </span><a href="http://www.ebay.it/itm/181959556850?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT">4 Way MAX7219 DOT MATRIX</a><span >In case the link doesn't work try contact them on their </span><a href="http://stores.ebay.it/iotmodules?_trksid=p2047675.l2563">Ebay store</a><span >.</span></li></ul><ul ><li >Soldering skills, of course :)</li></ul><h3 >Step 2: Build the Project...</h3><div id="gallery"><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/781d8ad5-211e-4db2-ad4c-970eba399e52.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/e6798951-8fba-46c4-83a6-c4366a9004e4.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/93f80a0f-f47b-4815-a7f1-eac1d458bb2f.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/b8a05eb3-2004-403f-94a2-9cd56b9513d9.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/d67344cf-24d0-4973-8048-ea28d58e785c.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/6cf30b22-e6e7-461f-932c-a9f81b9b4b2c.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption></div><p >Download the arduinorangefinder.pdf  schematic diagram.You can find attached also the HC-SR04 pdf and the ping))) pdf, only for your reference.The electronic diagram is very simple, follow it exactly.I suggest to extend the wirings for the display and sensor of about 1 meter (see image1) so you can place them more easily later.</p><p >In the image2 you can see how to solder the power supply pins for the display and sensor: +5V from the display and Vcc from the sensor needs to be soldered togheter. Every other pin must have its own terminal.</p><p >Image5 is the Ping))) version of the project.Go to the next step when ready...</p><h3 >Step 3: Arduino Code...</h3><div id="gallery"><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/23882d51-720a-4c59-8c4e-5fca5c084aea.png /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/05abc352-527a-437d-83d6-df3189edfe46.PNG /><figcaption> </figcaption></div><p >It's time to work on the Arduino side.</p><p >Download the attached MD_MAX72XX.zip library and install it from the IDE (sketch-&gt;import library).</p><p >Now unzip and load the MeasureDistanceV200.ino sketch and let's look into it.<br>There are several lines you can edit:</p><p >1) The Matrix display type:<br>the supplied library supports 4 matrix display type so it shuold work with most displays in the market. Just uncomment one define at a time and upload the code to Arduino to see if it match your display.</p><p >2) The sensor type:<br>uncomment only the line that match your sensor.</p><p >3) Choose your preferred measuring unit from centimeters or inches:<br>uncomment only the right one, a warning has been set in the conditional compilation, it will show you what you have chosen.</p><p >Now set the distances as you prefer, you can modify them later when the project will be in place.</p><p >Upload the code and check if all works.<br>If you get trouble please double check wirings and connections.</p><p ><span >Update 2019/03/30 - The code has been updated:<br>&gt; New matrix display library, it supports 4 display type (a lot of documentation inside the library)<br>Credits to </span><span ><a href="https://majicdesigns.github.io/MD_MAX72XX/">majicdesigns</a></span></p><p >Update 2019/01/10 - The code has been updated:<br>&gt; Added the possibility to choose the measuring unit from centimeters or inches</p><p >Update 2017/12/30 - The code has been updated:<br>&gt; Turn off the display when standstill at STOP distance for more than 10 seconds!</p><h3 >Step 4: The Project at Work...</h3><div id="gallery"><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/a42231a1-40e1-4a15-9567-61089010dfac.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption><img id="gallery" src=https://projects.arduinocontent.cc/7ef24275-cd89-49be-a1f3-4e8ccd7a273a.jpg /><figcaption> </figcaption></div><p >Measure the height of the most prominent part of the bumper of your car from the floor.Attach the sensor close to the wall, to the height you measured.</p><p >I used a polystyrene foam sheet in which I made a slot for the sensor (see image).</p><p >Now place the display so you can see it from your car.</p><p >Try to enter by car and check the distances, adjust them in the Arduino code and reupload it if need.</p><p >Enjoy! </p>

Rangefinder for Garage Parking with Arduino

Park your car safely in the garage with Arduino!