Hi, I'm at school in France studying engineering (mechanics, electrics and computer science) and this coming year we have to make a big(-ish) project in class (ie: cheap) as a group. (Our class will be so small next year that there will only be one group).
Our current idea is to make a bike-simulator (any “James May's man lab” fans will know what I'm talking about), which consists in a bike on a stand, so it doesn't move, acting as a generator and connected to voltmeters, amperemeters and any other electrical equipment you like. And, with a bit of luck, also connected to a raspberry pi ( http://raspberrypi.org ).
The idea we have so far is to film various bike trips (around campus, around town etc…) and depending on the speed the user is “going” (amount of energy output) different fims would play.
It's still kind of hazy, but I would like to give it a try, even if the teacher says it is a bit overly complex. I am the only programmer in the group, and am most comfortable with scratch, but am willing to try out another language.
If anyone can recommend a way of doing this, I would be very grateful ^^.

Well first, good job. Secondly I hope your not talking about only knowing scratch, because if so then you might need to change projects. I program in C++ which I hear is very good for engineering but since I'm a software programmer I can't be sure. If you want to learn a language that you can actually use efficiently it's going to take a while. I can't exactly say how engineering with C++ works and I think you probably don't use OOP but since this is a game you might (is it?), you would probably use PP for it. Again, you can't use Scratch for making advanced things and if you want to learn a new a language it takes a good amount of time. Few things I need you to clear up, does the bike give input, are there any other graphics and finally so far how will you do things. I'm only 12 so don't take my advice 100% but still heed it, also you still in high school, right?

This could potentially be easy. I'm guessing you guys learned about electromagnetic induction. You could put magnets on the pedals and then put coils of wire next to it to induct current. Then the current could be connected to something that tells the computer how much current there is. That could then be read by a program, which using if statements could play a certain video. The computer would be connected to a projector as it's main display and projected onto a screen/wall in front of the biker. It's clear in my head, sorry if I did a bad job articulating it.

Here are some links to video play back in various languages that might suit your project well:
C++
Java A specific Java package for video playback
C#

Although C++ is most widely used, there is standard and any language would offer a learning experience. Just choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

rogueinc01 wrote:

Well first, good job. Secondly I hope your not talking about only knowing scratch, because if so then you might need to change projects. I program in C++ which I hear is very good for engineering but since I'm a software programmer I can't be sure. If you want to learn a language that you can actually use efficiently it's going to take a while. I can't exactly say how engineering with C++ works and I think you probably don't use OOP but since this is a game you might (is it?), you would probably use PP for it. Again, you can't use Scratch for making advanced things and if you want to learn a new a language it takes a good amount of time. Few things I need you to clear up, does the bike give input, are there any other graphics and finally so far how will you do things. I'm only 12 so don't take my advice 100% but still heed it, also you still in high school, right?

Thanks for the feedback!
- I know a little java outside of scratch and I have a friend who does C++.
-It is a game (no-one said our project had to be serious and we're taking advantage of that)
- It will give input using the electrical conduction technique in poopo's post
- I'm still in high school, it's my final year

poopo wrote:

This could potentially be easy. I'm guessing you guys learned about electromagnetic induction. You could put magnets on the pedals and then put coils of wire next to it to induct current. Then the current could be connected to something that tells the computer how much current there is. That could then be read by a program, which using if statements could play a certain video. The computer would be connected to a projector as it's main display and projected onto a screen/wall in front of the biker. It's clear in my head, sorry if I did a bad job articulating it.

Here are some links to video play back in various languages that might suit your project well:
C++
Java A specific Java package for video playback
C#

Although C++ is most widely used, there is standard and any language would offer a learning experience. Just choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

That is exacty what I'm after! Thank you!
We are going to be using a projector, and you did a fine job articulating it
I'll take a look at these programming sites…

justjess678 wrote:

poopo wrote:

This could potentially be easy. I'm guessing you guys learned about electromagnetic induction. You could put magnets on the pedals and then put coils of wire next to it to induct current. Then the current could be connected to something that tells the computer how much current there is. That could then be read by a program, which using if statements could play a certain video. The computer would be connected to a projector as it's main display and projected onto a screen/wall in front of the biker. It's clear in my head, sorry if I did a bad job articulating it.

Here are some links to video play back in various languages that might suit your project well:
C++
Java A specific Java package for video playback
C#

Although C++ is most widely used, there is standard and any language would offer a learning experience. Just choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

That is exacty what I'm after! Thank you!
We are going to be using a projector, and you did a fine job articulating it
I'll take a look at these programming sites…

Alright, great! Tell me if you need anything else, I'm interested in hearing how it all turns out.