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Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

pearlauto.com

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Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#61

Post by BHSPitMonkey »

tim_nuwin wrote: post #39
Khao wrote: post #16

This page has by far the worst scrolling interaction I've ever experienced. First up : no scroll bar so there is literally no visual cue that I need to scroll. Scrolling "activates" the next portion of content. Somewhere around the middle part : I can scroll and see the scrollbar, but WAIT! Another portion of the page starts hiding the scroll and hijacking the scrolling to show something. Uggggh again? Scroll some mo…

holy cow, every time there's a Show HN, there's always someone who shits on the web-page "hijacking" the scrolling. It's annoying commentary because you're looking at it through a very narrow lens that 99% of the people don't care about. For non-technical people, it's more intuitive having the screen-focused on the main content.

This one is way worse than most because it's so inconsistent.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#62

Post by teej »

macinjosh wrote: post #48

This is crazy expensive for what you get. Most newer cars have this feature already and unless you have trouble turning your head I don't think it is worth $500 adding to a low-end new or used car.

All model 2018 cars are mandated to have them in the US, so there will be even less of a market for this with new cars.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#63

Post by mrshoe »

yitchelle wrote: post #51

What cars are you supporting at the moment, and what other cars on your road map?

We do require an OBD port, which is present on all cars 1996 and newer.

Other than that, it should work on basically all cars, assuming you don't have e.g. an existing backup camera that mechanically blocks the installation.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#64

Post by mrshoe »

headconnect wrote: post #36

Any chance there will be a European license plate frame size available? Seems like a small change to reach a wider market. Possibly more relevant as well, have you ever tried parking in one of the old cities in the continent? :)

We are initially shipping only in the US, but hopefully total world domination will follow eventually. :)

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#65

Post by mrshoe »

lstodd wrote: post #25

How are the data paths between camera and OBD module and the module and the phone app secured?

We are using industry standard encryption algorithms for all of our wireless traffic. We are also consulting with external security experts, in addition to the expertise we have in-house.

All of our over-the-air firmware updates are cryptographically signed.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#66

Post by koolba »

Why does it matter that it's solar powered if there's already a ready source of electricity (i.e. your car battery)? Seems like it's only solar powered to be facilitate being an after market add-on you can click onto the car. Otherwise it'd require wiring.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#67

Post by wrigby »

mmanfrin wrote: post #37
mrshoe wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The OBD adapter does serve a very important role in the system in that it has a power source and can wake the camera frame when necessary (before you ever launch the app!). All of our vision algorithms also run on the OBD adapter, which is a key aspect of the power model.

Both those things (remote wake and 'vision algorithms') are things that could likely work on the phone, no?

I think the remote wake is based on when the car is put into reverse, which would be challenging to tell from the phone. I imagine that only running the camera when the car is in reverse is a key part of keeping power consumption down in the frame.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#68

Post by ng-user »

teej wrote: post #62
macinjosh wrote: post #48

This is crazy expensive for what you get. Most newer cars have this feature already and unless you have trouble turning your head I don't think it is worth $500 adding to a low-end new or used car.

All model 2018 cars are mandated to have them in the US, so there will be even less of a market for this with new cars.

Really eh? That's something I couldn't of imagined. Makes sense but still surprised. Wonder if Canada will follow suit if we haven't already.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#69

Post by dsl »

mrshoe wrote: post #2

It's such an amazing feeling to put your blood and sweat into a product for months and finally be able to share it with the world. It's great to take our startup out of stealth mode today! I couldn't imagine a better group of people to do it with, either.

How long has your team been working on this project? It seems like it is 2-3 years too late to market.

Re: Tell HN: We built a solar-charging wireless backup camera for your car

#70

Post by Johnny555 »

koolba wrote: post #66

Why does it matter that it's solar powered if there's already a ready source of electricity (i.e. your car battery)? Seems like it's only solar powered to be facilitate being an after market add-on you can click onto the car. Otherwise it'd require wiring.

Didn't you just answer your own question? Many people don't want to have to run wires and tap into their car's electrical system, screwing this license plate frame on and plugging in the OBD dongle means anyone can install it in a few minutes.
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