Team Name
Heads Up
Timeline
Summer 2025 – Fall 2025
Students
- Sean Slater – Computer Engineering
- Gideon Teer – Computer Engineering
- David Oyekola – Computer Science
- Vithin Sandadi – Software Engineering
- Jeffrey Meyers – Computer Engineering
Abstract
Newer vehicles tend to lock out important engine and performance data, or Parameter
IDs (PIDs), by limiting what can be seen on the factory gauge cluster. Although such
information can be vital for performance enthusiasts, diagnostics, or keeping an eye on
performance; acquiring it typically requires physical gauges or smartphone apps. They
are typically clunky, require sophisticated wiring, or create hazardous driving
distractions. There is a clear need for a simple and user-friendly way to access and
present real-time vehicle data directly in the driver’s line of sight. If this issue were
addressed, driver awareness would increase, vehicle diagnostics would improve, and
safer monitoring of critical parameters would be encouraged without the limitations of
existing products
Background
Modern vehicles, no matter what they are, often come with gauge clusters that are
limited in adaptability, design-constrained, or do not have access to other data within
the vehicle. Both the average user and enthusiasts, in order to gain access to this
greater amount of information, are forced to come up with ad hoc solutions like phone
mounts or external gauges. This approach, although solving the lack of access to your
vehicles data, is both inconvenient and often distracting. This project aims to address
this gap by developing a transparent modular display that can be mounted in front of the
vehicle’s stock gauge cluster. The idea is to allow customizable, real-time data to be
displayed in a way that feels naturally integrated into the vehicle, rather than bolted on.
By using a transparent screen, the existing instruments remain visible and unobstructed
while additional data is still in view. The goal is to enhance data accessibility and
promote safer, more informed operation of the vehicle without requiring users to shift
their attention across multiple displays or screens. The business case is clear, as
vehicles become more data-centric and personalized, the demand for flexible, vehicle
diagnostic information systems will grow. A transparent overlay solution meets that
demand by reducing hardware redundancy, minimizing driver distraction, and enabling
a configurable, user-focused experience. Furthermore, it opens avenues for future
expansion of features.
Project Requirements
- Physically fits between gauge cluster and steering wheel
- Doesn’t obfuscate any of the gauge cluster
- Plugs directly into OBD2 connector with no other modifications
- Automatically pull up previous configuration
- Must be bright enough to be seen in daytime
- Must be responsive enough so as to display live data
- Meets automotive vibration and temperature requirements
Design Constraints
- Must operate within OBD2 power limits
- Limited to CAN-based OBD2 vehicles
- Display must avoid glare/reflections for daytime/nighttime readability
- Must fit between steering wheel and gauge cluster, securely
- The system must not require user intervention beyond initial setup.
- Android OS version 8.0 (Oreo) or higher required
- Initial development limited to Android; iOS version not included in initial scope.
- High voltage power sources, as defined in NFPA 70, will be avoided as much as
possible in order to minimize potential hazards. - The product must comply with state-level windshield obstruction laws
- The Raspberry Pi must support and maintain WPA2 encryption at all times during
operation - Updates to the image must be easily reflashable by the user.
Engineering Standards
- ISO 15008:2017
- SAE J1979
- ISO 15765-4
- Material Design Guidelines
- IEEE 802.11i
System Overview
To implement our solution to the problem of inaccessible real-time vehicle data in modern cars, we will develop a modular, transparent head-up display (HUD) system that integrates seamlessly with the driver’s existing field of vision and vehicle environment. The core idea centers around projecting a customization performance and diagnostic information onto a transparent display that sits without obscuring critical dashboard information. At a high level, the system architecture can be divided into four major functional components: data acquisition, data processing, visual rendering, and physical Integration.
Results
Display works well in sun, overcast, and at night (tested in parking garage). Live data is
displayed clearly and the original gauge cluster is not obfuscated. Car controls were all
operable. A vehicle specific mount would increase stability. Video was not recorded at
eye-height (just below), so gauges look obstructed to the camera but were not to the
driver.
Future Work
Our design met the project’s goals for a low-distraction, real-time HUD with reliable data
flow and clear visibility. Key lessons included optimizing wireless communication,
refining gauge responsiveness, and ensuring brightness for daytime use. Future work
will expand gauge options, improve hardware housing, and enhance app–Pi integration.
Project Files
Project Charter
System Requirements Specification
Architectural Design Specification
Detailed Design Specification
Color-Coded Wiring Schematic
Basic Logic Block Diagram
Poster
Closeout Materials
