A Hacked WiFi Router, an API, and a Toy Bus: It's the Ambient Bus Arrival Monito

JohnGrahamCumming writes "In this simple project, a hacked Linksys WRT54GL talks to a public API to get real-time bus information, and displays the times of the next buses on a model bus. Never miss the bus again! 'It's possible to reflash the Linksys with a custom Linux installation that lets me control the box completely (and still use it as a wireless router). There are various project, but I used OpenWRT. With OpenWRT it's possible to SSH into the box and treat it as any Linux server (albeit a rather slow one). But there's plenty of power to grab bus times and update an LED display connected to the WRT54GL's serial port. "

Comments

Hmm...

[girlintraining]

You can only unlock the Achievement "I Put My Toaster On the Internet!" if it's using Arduino. Sorry man.

Re:Transit providers should sell these

[Eponymous Hero]

filing a patent that puts this guy's tech into a standard wall clock. happy now?

that'll be $49.95 plus shipping.

$59.95 for the harder-to-read binary version.

$79.95 for the version that automatically shares on facebook the time you left your house for which bus number, along with stated destination and links to the profiles of facially-recognized facebook members seen leaving the house with you. add an additional $19.95 for the clock to automatically post pictures of you looking at said clock before you leave.

$149.95 for the version that integrates a kinect and guesses your weight, health problems, objects in pockets, and amount of money in wallet or purse -- and posts all to facebook. will not tell your fortune, because we respect your privacy.

Re:FYI

[Beardo the Bearded]

The Victoria bus system is based on a "fuck you, we show up when we want... and fuck you" system.