Debugging Brake Lights with a Vibrator: A Hacker's Tale
2025-09-24
The developer behind BrakeBright, a motorcycle brake light enhancement, details his journey to eliminate false positives. Initial attempts using averaging and low-pass filters failed to fully address brake light flickering caused by road bumps and engine vibrations. He then switched to median filtering, adjusted sampling times, and added jitter to prevent synchronization with engine pulses. Ingeniously, a repurposed vibrator simulated real-world conditions for testing, leading to the addition of a smart debounce mechanism that effectively solved the problem. The story is filled with humor and unexpected turns, showcasing the developer's dedication to product refinement and user experience.
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