Re: Marking Speed Breakers on Maps & Apps Hi everyone. My first post on Team BHP. Just registered to reply on this thread.
The simplest way I can think of implementing this is using the app Sygic that came with MapMyIndia maps. The problem however is that this app is no longer available from the developer. But, the app was made free before it was removed from Play, so sourcing the app and map data from third party websites wouldn't constitute piracy IMHO.
So, assuming you have got a copy of the app and the relevant map data, here is how you set it up: 1) Pre-requisites- Copy the map data to your SD card
- Install the Sygic Aura apk
- Ensure the app is working correctly: getting a GPS lock, voice nav functional, et al
2) Set up POI category
This part walks you through how to set up a separate category for marking speed breakers. - Open Sygic
- Go to Settings -> Favourite POI
- Tap "Add new category"
- Enter "Speed breakers"
- Select whatever icon you fancy
Great. Now you have your category set up. 3) Enable warning for speed breakers
This part is to sound a warning as you approach a speed breaker - Go to Settings -> Map - Points of Interest -> Speed breakers
- Check all the boxes you see
- Go back to Settings -> Map
- Tap on POI on route -> Select categories -> Speed breakers
- Check all the boxes you see
- Go to Settings -> Notification & Sounds -> Points of Interest
- Ensure "Notification" is checked
- Tap Speed breakers
- Select the sound that you prefer to be played as a warning (My favourite is "beep")
- Select the distance from the speed breaker when the warning should sound. For highways, a larger distance allows slowing down gradually. For city speeds, a smaller distance is better. Try it out and set according to your preference
4 ) Saving speed breaker locations to Sygic's database
Well, now that you've got everything in place, you can start adding the location of any speed breakers that you encounter. However, I insist that you do not attempt to do this when you are driving alone. Have a passenger do this. The driver's job is to drive safely. Loss of attention even for a moment can result in serious injury to oneself and/or others. The actions required here can be more dangerous than texting/talking whilst driving. So, once again, please do not do this while you are driving. Get one of the passengers to do it. - Open Sygic & leave it running
- The big arrow marks your current location
- When you spot a speed breaker, let your passenger know. He/she then has to follow these steps
- When the vehicle slows down to go over the hump, tap on the big arrow
- Select "Add POI"
- Enter a random name, not very important
- Select "Done"
- Select "Speed breakers" category
- Select "Save"
- Repeat the above steps for each speed breaker you encounter
- The exact position of the speed breaker is not important
5) Using the speed breaker warning- Firstly you need to have added the locations manually, or should have imported a POI catalogue (.upi or .rupi format; see below)
- You need to ensure the warning sounds are enabled for the Speed breakers category (If you followed the above steps properly, you are all set.)
- If you like to listen to music while driving, the ICE’s volume can easily mask the sound from your phone. Hence use an AUX or Bluetooth connection and play music from your phone. This ensures that when Sygic is giving out warnings/voice instructions, the music is automatically paused or played at a reduced volume, depending on your phone. Result: less chance of missing a warning, and they sound that much better on the car’s speakers.
- Open Sygic
- If you need route guidance, pick the destination and start voice guidance. Else just leave it running
- Concentrate on driving. Every time you come near a speed breaker, you phone will now sound a warning. Fine tune the distance setting if you need more/less reaction time. Do not stare at the map. A lot can happen in the 2 seconds you take your eyes off the road. Listen for the warning sound. When you hear it, take your foot off the accelerator pedal, slow down gradually, and make sure the guy behind you, who does not know of the speed breaker ahead, doesn’t rear end you.
- Enjoy a less bumpy ride/drive
- Do not depend on this system to warn you of each and every speed breaker. Always be on the lookout for them. New speed breakers pop up more often than you expect
6) Getting more use out of this Early Warning System- Sygic can warn you of more than just speed breakers. For example, I have enabled the warning for school zones and hotels as well (Sygic has these built in).
- You can create a new category for other stuff. For example you can undertake to mark sizeable potholes that are hard to avoid or big enough to cause damage to your vehicle.
- I have created a category for Cafe Coffee Days, so that I get to know if one is around. (Who doesn't love caffeine and clean toilets!)
- One person simply cannot map a very large area. This has to be a community based effort for it be practically useful and up to date. Also a central repository is needed to collect/consolidate/share our POI databases (Categories)
7) Importing POI databases shared by others
Go to http://www.sygic.com/en/poi
All the relevant info is on that page 8) Exporting POI databases (categories) to share with others
I admit this is new to me as well. So far I have come across this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...d=Rupi+Manager
But I haven't had the time to test it out. Perhaps someone might want to research on this front. 9) Consolidating data shared by all users
The POI databases are essentially text files with a list of GPS co-ordinates of each spot you mark. Someone needs to come up with a way of merging all the data, removing duplicates, etc. All this is beyond me.
Also, we will need a repository to host a single up-to-date DB of all known points of interests. This will help share data with everyone else. Tips & Tricks:- If you are unable to type/edit anything in Sygic when saving POIs, go to Settings - Regional and uncheck "Use native keyboard"
- If you are not using route guidance, switch off the screen (tap the power button) to conserve battery and also to avoid distraction. Warning will still sound
- This app will in all probability never receive map updates in the future. However, it is the best app I have used till date for offline navigation. Of course when I’m in range of a data network, nothing beats Google Maps. So between the two of them, you pretty much have a very effective navigation system. All for free!
- This version of SygicMMI had a lot of other features as well. One was a warning for sharp turns! Another was a warning for crossing the speed limit.
Disclaimers:- The only interest I have in this project is the increased safety it offers. Absolutely no commercial interest whatsoever.
- Do not attempt marking new locations when driving alone. Stop and do it if you are adamant about saving that particular spot. Professional rally drivers need a navigator to guide them; what makes you think you can drive and mess with your phone at the same time? Have a fellow passenger do it. Else let them drive and you do the honours.
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Thanks
Last edited by Rehaan : 23rd June 2014 at 12:19.
Reason: Post edited. Please read mod note inline
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