Homemade Google Glass!!!
Google Glass Wearable Computer of your own. Once the parts have been purchased and/or fabricated, the whole project should take only a few days. Relative to the $1500 USD Google Glass price, this DIY version is exceedingly cheap, fun, and a good learning experience for all. The electronic components can fit nicely inside any small casing that one so wishes to create, but for myself, I decided to print a housing on my 3D Printer. (Files for the housing can be found below). NO SOLDERING SKILLS REQUIRED!
Step 1: Components
All of the components were purchased on Amazon, which makes the organizing process of the parts easy and quick.
Parts List :
Generic VG260 Portable Wireless Video Glasses Eyewear Mobile Theatre with AV-in for FPV
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ENBD9OQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1QQ87R29V4C2T
Docooler Measy U2C Android 4.1 TV Box Dongle Stick Player Mini PC Dual Core RK3066 1G+8GB 2.0MP Camera Mic Bluetooth HDMI AV Output
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E4AMI98/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A867P1BBKCZM8
Anker® 2nd Gen Astro Mini 3200mAh Ultra-Compact Portable Charger Lipstick-Sized External Battery Power Bank with PowerIQ™ Technology for iPhone 6 5s 5c 5 4S, Galaxy S5 S4 S3 Note 3, 4, Nexus 4, HTC One M8, Nokia Lumia 520, 1020 and Other Smartphones (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005X1Y7I2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A294P4X9EWVXLJ
iPazzport Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad Backlit and Laser Pointer for Smart TV and PC KP-810-10BT
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LVSHOVS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A114NNDZXPI2CS
Also, basic mechanical tools (i.e screw driver, 3d printer, optional, & glue)
Step 2: Disassembly of Video Glasses
In order to keep the total cost of the project low, and to make the project as simple as possible, I decided to use parts from preexisting devices (Well really only need the Video Glasses) :).¡ I RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ ALL STEPS, AND ALL NOTES ON THE PICTURES, BEFORE ENACTING. THIS RULE APPLIES FOR ALL OF THE PROJECT!
Sep one: Pop off the sunglasses shades on the front by sliding them down out of the glasses frame, and put them to the side as we will not be needing them for the rest of the project.
Step two: You want to find the big screw in the middle on the back of the glasses, and take it out with a small philips screw driver.
Step three: Find the small screws underneath the glasses and take them out, there should be four. This step is tricky so make sure you take them all out by moving the glasses around.
Step four: Finally you are ready to pop it open and take out what is inside. First, with a little force you need to twist off the glasses part from the main components in the tubular box. So, when all of the screws are taken out, and the glasses part is removed, you want to use some force, but don't want to snap any wires inside! If you hear plastic cracking then and snapping then stop!
Step five: Now take out the Micro-Kopin display driver board (the board with three mini cables sticking out of it) carefully. Then, unplug the two small cords on the far left and right and the transparent brownish ribbon cable, and make sure to use no force on these components, tweezers recommended. After that leave the middle cord plugged in through the whole process, and the power and audio board that is connected to it needs to be sandwiched together with the back's on each other, so that the front sides are facing up. Then put these components aside until final assembly.
Step six: Unscrew the four screws around the micro LCD display (the white box) on both, but for this project we only need one so use the other one for back up, and make sure to take out the LEFT DISPLAY. Keep the display clipped together with the RGB screen on top, that is the black side. Also, make sure nothing is upside down during the process, or then your google glass will be upside down!
Step seven: Take the the magnifying module under the the display off by unscrewing the two screws, and again we only need one; keep the clip and magnifier together. Now set all parts neatly grouped together for assembly
Thats it for taking apart the Video Glasses! You're half way there! :)
For more help on disassembly
Step 3: 3D printing/Assembly
If you choose to 3d print, which is highly recommended, then use these files which can easily be CAD adjusted. I apologize in advance for the lack of photos on this one, so if you have any questions you can find my email on the next step.
Files are here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:505790
The 3d printing time takes about 2 to 3 hours. The clips on the sides can be adjusted to fit your glasses through 3d printing software, and CAD/Sketch up programs. For people not 3d printing I highly encourage you to use zip ties, and balsa wood. With wood you easily look around the 3d printing software take some measurements and cut the pieces with an x-acto knife. Also, use a hot glue gun for putting all the pieces together for both 3d printing and wood assembly. When all printed it's very simple from here.
Step one: Take http://www.thingiverse.com/download:833676(AKA big enclosure part) and insert the two connected display boards into the enclosure. When doing this make sure the side with the hole on one end is facing down, so when you put in the boards and the micro-usb is facing down too making perfect alignment of parts, and the two clips are pointing to the left. Also, make sure it is slide up all the way.
Step two: Take http://www.thingiverse.com/download:833678(AKA the part with the screw holes on top) and six screws from the disassembly and take the printed module and flip it upside down so that the rectangular hole on the bottom is pointing up. Take the white display again from disassembly and put it on the printed part as you took it off. Make sure the white side is sticking up, and very important that the cables are pointing to left or else it will be upside down. Now take the magnifier and take two screws, and screw it in so the bubble end is up.
Step three: Take http://www.thingiverse.com/download:833679(AKA the rectangular object) and put step two's assembly in it. When doing this feed the wires through the side and make sure is right side up with the white end on the bottom and the magnifier on the top.
Step Four: Take http://www.thingiverse.com/download:833677(AKA the tubular object) and feed the two wires sticking out of step three's assembled module. Make sure the larger end of the tube is facing towards the two wires from steps three's module. So, the smaller end should be facing up when you feed the wires through towards yourself, and when you set it down it should turn left on an angle. Also, make sure not to use to much force as this step can be frustrating and time consuming.
Step five: This step involves using glue and paper. So, get computer paper or colored construction paper and a hot glue gun is recommended, but any glue is fine. So take all the parts and take wires feed through the end of the tube and carefully connect them to the boards inside step one's module (you might have to take out the boards connect the wires then put it back in). Now that everything is connected I recommend trying a first test before glueing to see if everything powers correctly and nothing is upside down. Now, glue the magnifying module to it's enclosure, and one end of the tube connected to the display module with the magnifying glass, should be glued to the rectangular hole. Now on the top left inside of the large enclosure holding the boards, glue slightly on the inside (in the very top left corner/side) the tube with the wires. Now that everything is glued there should be a little hole on the right side of the big enclosure, so cut a piece of paper to fit that and glue it in. TAKE YOUR TIME, BECAUSE IT WILL BE ALL WORTH IT IN THE END WHEN ITS WORKING!
Congratulations, you are done with your project! Now, one last thing before its ready for full use.
Step 4: Final booting and programming
Now that it's all together we need to put some software on it to make it look like google glass software. To do this charge everything.
Step one: Plus the micro-usb cable into the Measy processor and power it on with the HDMI pugged into a T.V or monitor. Once it boots, set it up using the keyboard. To do this, take out the usb module located at the top of the keyboard and put it in the usb of the Measy. Now set it up to your android needs. Then set up wifi and other settings that fits your needs
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