It’s easy to take for granted the always-connected, GPS-equipped navigation device most of us carry in our pockets, our smartphones. Want to know how to get to that new restaurant you heard about? A few quick taps on Google Maps and the optimal route given your chosen transportation method will be calculated in seconds. But if you ever find yourself without signal on your smartphone or out of battery, how exactly do you use GPS?
See also: How to use Google Maps in incognito mode
See also: Google Maps will make metro and train routes easier
Enter IndiaNavi, a modernisation of the classic map designed specifically to avoid the pitfalls that prevent your smartphone from being a reliable route-finding tool. The colour electronic paper display not only keeps power consumption low, but also has unrivalled readability in daylight. No signal? No problem, as relevant maps are pre-installed on the device.
In addition to the 5.65-inch e-paper display from Waveshare, the India Navi features an L96 M33 GPS receiver and an ESP32-WROOM-32 microcontroller. The 3D printed housing that holds the electronics and the lithium-ion battery that powers them are still in the early stages, but we like the book-style design. The focus on simplicity and reliability doesn't end with the hardware. The software is very simple to use: just launch IndiaNavi and you're presented with a map showing your current location.
See also: How to use Google Maps Street View in Split Screen on Android
With the rise of easily viewable electronic charts, we are excited to see more innovations like IndiaNavi that challenge our ideas about how modern electronics should work and be used.
Source of information: hackaday.com
