Update
The maker community has felt that we require some changes in our current prototype before HackPOD becomes a full-fledged product. We acknowledge the mistakes on our part and appreciate all the support that the community has provided us.
We are making a new prototype satisfying the needs and recommendations of the community. So we have refunded all our backers who backed the current version of HackPOD.
As part of Team HackPOD, we express our deepest gratitude to all the contributors of our campaign. By now, all your refunds have been probably completed. Do reach out to us if you face any problems with your refund.
HackPOD will launch again, stronger and faster than before. Keep following our blog for all updates.
Avikalpa and Sayan
August 2, 2016.
What is HackPOD?
HackPOD is a powerful microcontroller development platform based on 32 bit ARM Cortex-M4, programmable in Arduino and C.
HackPOD also includes an integrated touchscreen, a memory card slot, an in-built protoboard and SMT space and a rechargeable battery, all within a portable smartphone form factor.
HackPOD caters to the needs of hobbyists, students and engineers by presenting them with much more power and ease.
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MUST READ :
Disclaimer: The above images are just HackPOD's current prototype. There will be minor changes in the consumer version (like solder mask colour, smoother PCB edges etc.). It will be more aesthetic and robust at final. We will keep you updated.
Special Features
Touchscreen LCD: HackPOD features an integrated 3.2 inch touchscreen display of resolution 240 X 320. The screen is of the optimum size for portable projects like wearable gadgets.
Portable Smartphone Form Factor: The complete HackPOD device consisting of the microcontroller logic board, touchscreen and battery is shaped like a smartphone to make your projects compact, sleek and portable.
Memory Card Slot: The HackPOD board has a memory card slot which supports SD, SDHC and SDIO cards. Your code will never run out of storage space again!!
Rechargeable Battery: Have you always envisioned completely wireless projects running without any external power source? We have included a 1800 mAh 3.7V Li-Po battery just for that.
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Arduino compatible: HackPOD is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE. All your existing Arduino codes will work on HackPOD. You can also program in C language.
HackPOD API: Based on Henning Karlsen's open source UTFT library, the HackPOD API is designed to make controlling the touchscreen and memory card completely hassle-free.
In-built Breadboard: Say goodbye to messy wiring. Build your prototypes and connect breakout modules and Arduino shields on the HackPOD breadboard itself. The clean circuits will make debugging projects a walk in the park.
Integrated SMT space: We have included an SMT space on HackPOD for pro hackers who want to solder their breakouts, . Ours is the only microcontroller platform with plug and play support for SMT breakout modules such as RFM22B/23B.
On-board Digital-to-Analog Converter pin: HackPOD provides an on-board DAC pin. Use it for a signal generator, an oscilloscope or in any other way you envisage.
On-board uFL antenna connector: Need greater communication range for your projects? Just hop an antenna on our on-board uFL mount.
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Why use HackPOD?
Most Economical LCD Touchscreen Integration: Integrating an LCD touchscreen with available microcontroller boards in the market is expensive and limits all connecting pins, thereby making DIY projects involving LCDs very difficult. HackPOD brings you LCD touchscreen integration at a very reasonable price.
Portability: HackPOD is the only development platform with a
smartphone form factor, so that any your projects completed with HackPOD
will look more aesthetic and compact than those on other platforms. The
device can also be hacked to make wearable products like smartwatches,
virtual reality headsets and fitness trackers. The only limit is your
imagination!!!
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Fast and Efficient: The "brain" of HackPOD is a 32 bit ARM Cortex-M4 chip, rendering it much more powerful than traditional microcontroller development platforms. Running at a regular clock speed of 72 MHz, it can be safely overclocked to 96 MHz.
Plug and Play: HackPOD's unique design allows seamless connectivity with nearly all breakout boards and Arduino shields available in the market. You can build custom circuits on the integrated protoboard itself.
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Battery Power: HackPOD makes it possible for your projects to
work without any external power connection. A single charge of the
rechargeable battery can last for several days.
Memory: HackPOD's expandable memory provides plenty of extra storage space for your code.
SDIO Card Support: HackPOD's memory card slot supports SDIO 1.0 cards. Add extra functionality to your projects using GPS, Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Camera SDIO cards. HackPOD also supports Electric Imp out of the box.
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Technical Specifications
| Features |
Specification |
MCU
Processor
Core
Rated Speed
Overclockable |
MK20DX256VLH7
Cortex-M4
72 MHz
96 MHz
|
|
Flash Memory
Bandwidth
Cache |
256 kb
192 Mbps
256 bytes |
| RAM |
64 kb |
|
| EEPROM |
2 kb
|
|
| DMA
|
16 Channels
|
|
Digital I/O
Voltage Output
Voltage Input |
19 Pins
3.3V
5V Tolerant |
|
Analog Input
Converters
Resolution
Usable
Prog Gain Amp
Touch Sensing
Comparators |
12 Pins
2
16 Bits
13 Bits
2
5 Pins
3 |
|
Analog Output
DAC Resolution |
1 Pins
12 Bits
|
|
Timers
FTM Type
PWM Outputs
PDB Type
CMT (infrared) Type
LPTMR Type
PIT (interval) Type
Systick
RTC (date/time) ** |
12 Total
3
4 Pins
1
1
1
4
1
1 |
Communication
USB
Serial
With FIFOs
High Res Baud
Fast Clock
SPI
With FIFOs
I2C
CAN Bus
I2S Audio
FIFO Size |
1
3
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
8 |
LCD
Type
Resolution
Driver
Resolution
Diamensions
Touch type
Touch Controller |
TFT
16 Bits
SSD1289
320x240
3.2 inch diagonal
Resistive
XPT2046 |
|
Battery
Type
Capacity
Rated Voltage |
Li-Po
1800 mAh
3.7v |
** RTC requires a 32.768 kHz crystal & 3V battery.
Schematic Diagram
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Download the schematic
here.
User Guides
We are currently preparing an ebook 'Getting Started with HackPOD' and a series of tutorials to get new users acquainted with HackPOD. These will be made available for download from our website in due time.
What We Need and What You Get
We
have initially been prototyping via small batches of boards. HackPOD's current prototype has been assembled and meticulously tested and we are
confident with our design. Costs of development have been paid for, and
the funding required is for manufacturing and shipping the first few
batches of HackPOD.
Beyond the immediate goal of this campaign, the HackPOD
project is about providing an advanced electronics development platform
in the hands of the maker community. After shipping our Indiegogo perks,
we plan to move the product into retail. HackPOD will have more
production runs, and will be available post this campaign.
Risks and Challenges
Quality is our first Priority: We are committed to deliver you
a great product. We will be working very closely with our manufacturers
and run rigorous tests on our products before shipping to ensure that
only the best reaches your hands. This may result in a delay in the
release schedule, but there will be no compromise in quality.
Then comes affordability: We also aim to provide HackPOD at the most affordable price possible while maintaining the best quality.
Project History
HackPOD is the result of over 2 years of accumulated hard work. Read the complete story behind HackPOD here.
Release Schedule
The
first batch of HackPOD will be manufactured and assembled by September
2016. After the testing phase, all units are scheduled to be shipped by
November 2016.
As mentioned before, HackPOD will be available for purchase post this campaign. We will keep you updated regarding the same.
Meet the Team
Avikalpa Kundu, the brain: An Electronics Engineering undergrad,
and active member of the maker community, Avikalpa has been the most
instrumental behind the development of HackPOD. Always passionate about hacking electronic gadgets, the idea for HackPOD cropped up in his head while working on a project requiring integration of an LCD with an Arduino Mega while simultaneously making it portable. Working
tirelessly towards this project for over two years, he added many
cool features and much more functionality to the platform.
Sayan Bhattacharyya, the brawn: Another Electronics Engineering
undergrad, specifically interested in Artificial Intelligence
Technologies. Also loves EDM music!! Passionate about startups, Sayan had
always dreamed of founding his own. He joined the project to make
HackPOD available to everyone.
Spread the Word
We need your support to make our campaign succeed. Donations are not the only way
in which you can help us.Apart from financial contributions, following
are some ways in which you can lend us a helping hand.
Word of Mouth: Know people who may be interested in our project? Tell them about HackPOD.
Social Media: Like our page and share our campaign on Facebook. Visit our website and blog.
