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Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

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Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#141

Post by tclancy »

vikbez wrote: post #18

Lol, nice! It depends on what you mean by "owning a bowling center," but it looks like there are at least two of us into this :D I bought a really old fully mechanical (and automated!) mini bowling lane. It works without a CPU, except for the score display, which originally used a 1970 Intel D8749H (MCS-48)! Just like yours, the only thing that turns this machine on is a single relay :D On my model, I also get feedba…

I’m just going to say I am going to find a way to be the third person in your bookclub. This is so cool!

Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#142

Post by tclancy »

section33 wrote: post #39
Polizeiposaune wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are you handling bowling shoe rental?

We just charge a flat rate with shoes included. We do $5 / person or $25 for a whole hour for larger groups. Wanted to take some of the advanced calculus out of the price of bowling, yknow?

What is wrong with you, you’re going to ruin capitalism not caring about maximizing profits.

Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#144

Post by tclancy »

KennyBlanken wrote: post #76
section33 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Totally - we've got notifications wired in though, so our counter instantly knows "lane so and so needs such and such shoe sizes"

You're removing human interaction, though. Nerds seem to forget that entertainment venues and sports are social spaces, interaction with staff matters, and is one of the more distinguishing features of a venue. Unless you've got someone walking up and down the lanes introducing themselves as the manager/owner/whatever...

How did you read everything OP posted and come to that conclusion?

Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#146

Post by seidleroni »

I live in the Boston area and there is a candlepin bowling place called Needham Bowlaway where the owner has done something similar. He automated the scoring system since nobody from outside New England really knows how to score it and it works really well. I believe he used some basic java code to detect whether the pixels at certain areas are white (pin) or not (no pin). He's always working on developing a video game every time I'm there although he may have finished by now. Maybe there's more overlap between bowling centers and software engineers than OP thinks.

Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#148

Post by brcmthrowaway »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #75
section33 wrote: post #2

Right now I'm working on adding LED + DMX DJ light control - I kinda want to be able to order LED strips to "chase" a ball as it goes down the lane or back up the return. I plan on triggering laser-light shows and such with the DMX controller. Eventually, I want to allow a customer walk up to the lane, tap to pay and start bowling immediately, too. Kiosk-ize bowling alleys, yknow? I'm pumped. So much room for activit…

Best post in a lonnnng time. Need any help? I have some dmx/dj experience from my days in digital signage.

Oh man, Id love to find cheap surplus digital signs

Re: Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s

#150

Post by leetrout »

msisk6 wrote: post #131

I grew up behind the bowling machines. My dad was a bowling machine mechanic and worked on machines all around the midwest. He often moon-lite as the on-duty mechanic during league nights and I'd go with him. Mostly he worked at the local 16-lane alley with ancient AMF machines. The logic was all relays in a "chassis" on each machine. Relays would fail, pins and balls would end up where they're not supposed to be, fo…

It's hard to tell if it's making a comeback but it's getting attention.

Ben stiller produced a documentary for HBO "Born to Bowl" and it was very engaging. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_to_Bowl

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