Add a Map and Speed Overlay to Your Race Videos with This Custom GPS Tracker

When you watch a professional race, you’re usually given all sorts of useful data along with the video. The driver’s track position, speed…

Cameron Coward
6 years ago

When you watch a professional race, you’re usually given all sorts of useful data along with the video. The driver’s track position, speed, and g-forces are all common. But, that data can be difficult to gather and display on your own race videos. Commercial products are expensive, and don’t offer much customization. DusteD’s DIY GPS Tracker solves those problems, so you can make awesome amateur racing videos.

This build is really two systems: the hardware GPS tracker itself, and software for taking the data and overlaying it on the video. You can record the video with any action camera, such as a GoPro. The GPS tracker is a small box attached somewhere on your car or motorcycle, and it’s light enough that it shouldn’t affect your performance. The tracker and camera don’t need to communicate, and they’re synced by simply recording the tracker when it’s turned on. LEDs on the tracker will blink, so you have a “key frame” to sync with.

The GPS tracker is made with an Arduino Pro Micro, GPS module, SD card reader, Li-Ion battery, and a 3D-printed box. Once it’s switched on, it simply saves the GPS data to the SD card every 10 seconds. After the race, you use DusteD’s software to turn the GPS data into an overlay on your video. The great thing about this setup is that it’s open source, so you can add more data if you like. For example, you can use an IMU (inertial measurement unit) to track your g-forces through a turn.

Cameron Coward
Writer for Hackster News. Proud husband and dog dad. Maker and serial hobbyist.
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