Iron Man helmet

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi! I have an idea for a project that I would like a little help with. I'm a HUGE Marvel fan and want to create a semi-functional Iron man helmet. I've already 3d printed the helmet itself. Here are a few functions I would like it to have:

  1. Due to the limited vision the slits in the helmet provide, I'd like to have an RGB LCD screen in both eyes to play a live feed from a camera mounted to the helmet.
  2. Eyes (on the outside) to light up

I have done an extensive amount of research on Youtube and Google on how to show the live feed from a camera on an LCD screen, none of which have been particularly helpful. I am planning on using the OV2640 ArduCam mini camera module for a single camera in the center of the helmet. For the screens, I was planning on using the WINGONEER 0.96 inch 80x160 RGB LCD screen on both eyes (but I am flexible when it comes to hardware choice). The helmet is large enough to house the screen and camera. I was planning on making an "Arc Reactor" to house the Arduino and main electronics to put on the front of my shirt!!

I have moderate programming experience and moderate to advanced electrical/Arduino experience. I would like to know if this project should stay in my head, or if it is even feasible. If so, is this something a person of my expertise would be able to tackle. Thanks for your help!!

2

I seriously doubt an Arduino has the horsepower to stream a 2Mpixel camera and render it on two screens at any type of usable frame rate.

3

Okay, what microcontroller would you recommend?

4

Why use a microcontroller at all?

camera -> display boom.

There are small cameras, there are tiny monitors. Some nice gear and not necessarily expensive. You’ll need to work on some optics for focus.

But srsly, solving the limited vision problem this way is stupid. I beseech you to try an experiment - looking at the world through a head mounted camera and (in my case) FPV goggles is very unlike how you use your eyes to see the world normally.

a7

5

Okay, I'll look into that. I guess I need to think about think outside the Helmet on this one!!

6

The RGB LCD screen idea makes some sense if you I were to want some on screen data displayed along with a view of the world. You can do that too without a high speed processor.

Google minimosd mini osd. It’s used (or was in the old days) to place text over video. The module has a processor and the code is open source so you could fix it for your own purposes.

You need an external source (Arduino or whatever) to inform the on screen display, like what symbols or text to draw where &c.

HTH

a7

7

10, 20 years ago there already existed small "spy cams" that connect directly to a display. No doubt they still exist, just with higher quality displays.

Or just build a mobile phone into that helmet - with the camera exposed and the screen in front of your eyes. Excellent resolution on both the camera and the display.

8

I have been down this road before...

latest video.. has moved beyond this now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbnBjwGT6Ko

and before you DO or BUY anything.. please think through how this will work in 'real life'..

I have many kits..
led eye kits
servo (automkated) helmet open/closing kits. (w/audio)..
Arc Reactor..repulsors..etc..

That last project in this arena was the HUD system..

An Arduino basically has no place in this project....

You will want to use a RaspberryPi for this.. as it has the HDMI output..etc.. and can use the camera as well..

However.. one of the biggest obstacles you will need to figure out for yourself is..

HOW do you plan on viewing this camera feed from with-in your helmet?

I too had motivation to do this.. and once I got past a very big hurdle (for me at least).. and it was time to mock things up in the helmet...

You need to figure out HOW you plan on viewing a screen/something' that is within 1' of your eye.

If you put your phone up to your eye.. what can you see? (nothing, way too close).. not very practical.

There are some solutions out there.. but they are NOT cheap.. (like $200 for 1 eye only)..

Another thing to take into account.. if you plan on ONLY viewing your 'outside world' from only within the helmet...
please test this, and ensure the LAG In your set-up is not dangerous.

Someone might walk in front of you.. or put something in your way.. but by the time your camera feed shows you.. it may be too late. *(There is a video of someone trying to play ping-pong while wearing a HUD.. and you can easily see the problems it can generate)

The screens you have will not work.
You need to looking having a housing that holds these screen in front of a lens.. that makes it look like you are viewing it form 5 feet away or so... (depth)

I have my current HUD system working with the following features:

  • Live video feed
  • Interactive/Animated overlays (on top of camera feed)
  • Real-Time external circuit feed-back to be displayed on screen *(this was a really big hurdle for me and the tool-chain/software I am working with)
    ---- ie: the repulsors, arc reactor, helmet.. can all 'talk' to the HUD system.. and provide information.. that is displayed on the screen in real-time.
  • Have 1 eye working, that is clear, legible, and fits within 1" of your eye (I could easily add another eye, but are costly)

At this point... (outside of my laziness)

I only have some minor things to wrap up.

  • play with the camera settings on the RPi (a bit too dark)
  • actually develop a HUD theme/visuals that I like/look good
  • plan out what external circuits/data should be communicated and displayed on screen.

Good luck!@

9

This is a good place to start.

10

Look at shutter shades, aka slatted shades, louvered shades, or Venetian blind shades. They are sunglasses without lenses.

If on the front side you put light emitters (leds or EL wire/tape) that don't shine back in, people may not see the slits.

Or perhaps cover the outside of the "eyes" with leds and put lots of small holes in between to look through from behind.

11

I am using the same exact 'displays' as in the Hacksmith video...