RC Timer
Note: work in progress
Intro
RC Timer is a hardware and software Arduino-based RC car lap timer, built primarily for the Kyosho Mini-Z platform but compatible with any sized car that fits with reasonable clearance over the gantry.
The basic concept is a pair of laser emitters and photo-sensors, creating a beam across the track at different heights. When a flag attached to a car breaks the beam, the lap ends.
Hardware
Arduino Uno (any with enough ports), LCD + segment displays, a buzzer, 2× LED laser, 2× photosensor, and gantry materials. The Arduino polling rate is critical with faster cars — don't cheap out here.
Results
For what started as "let's get some FPV cars to rip around the house with during covid lockdown," this ended up a lot more involved than expected — car upgrade, camera upgrade, track upgrade, and an entire timing system. Not perfect, not polished, but a great learning project.