OpenLaneLink - Open-source ESP32 bowling scoring system
Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s
OpenLaneLink is a cost-effective, open-source alternative to expensive proprietary bowling center scoring systems. Built on commodity ESP32 microcontrollers and Raspberry Pi hardware, it replaces legacy six-figure installations with a modular mesh network for real-time scoring, pin detection, and machine control. By leveraging open hardware and software, it eliminates vendor lock-in, drastically reduces maintenance costs, and allows facility owners to fully customize their user experience with modern animations and features.
Since it all runs on commodity hardware, I can do legit anything I want as the proprietor, and I own all my data.
- HeyLaughingBoy
Thank you for posting this, it reaffirms what I've been thinking for so long. There are many opportunities to retrofit old systems of all types with modern low-cost embedded technologies.
Around 2019 or so I was approached by an engineer who had a small business retrofitting very old machine tools with modern motion controls. Think very large lathes and planers. The problem they had was that in order to get these systems working with newer controls, they had to make time-consuming modifications to the old machines, in some cases modifying the axis motors and that cost added up quickly. The engineer realized that it was theoretically possible to take the old analog position signals and convert them into something a modern motion controller could read. That converter box would make the retrofit pretty much plug & play, but he didn't have the programming expertise to make it happen.
We probably built the first iteration of the converter for under $50 in parts and less than 50 hours of development time. That had me searching for other similar opportunities. I have found a few, but they tend to be one-offs that aren't worth the time unless you're already building something similar. Either that or my ability to see opportunity sucks!
- section33
Right now I'm working on adding LED + DMX DJ light control - I kinda want to be able to order LED strips to "chase" a ball as it goes down the lane or back up the return. I plan on triggering laser-light shows and such with the DMX controller.
Eventually, I want to allow a customer walk up to the lane, tap to pay and start bowling immediately, too. Kiosk-ize bowling alleys, yknow?
I'm pumped. So much room for activities!
- vikbez
Lol, nice! It depends on what you mean by "owning a bowling center," but it looks like there are at least two of us into this :D
I bought a really old fully mechanical (and automated!) mini bowling lane. It works without a CPU, except for the score display, which originally used a 1970 Intel D8749H (MCS-48)!
Just like yours, the only thing that turns this machine on is a single relay :D
On my model, I also get feedback on the pin status and a "ball received" signal, so I can trigger the scoring.
I dumped the firmware and replaced the display PCB with a more recent DIY PCB with an Arduino that speaks a modern, documented protocol. It's now compatible with ScoreMore software, and I can do a lot more with it.
Here are some pictures and more info on the Bowltech forum (you should post your stuff here too!):
* https://www.bowltech.com/forum/small-scale-bowling/small-sca...
@vik8 on discord if you need :)
- msisk6
I grew up behind the bowling machines. My dad was a bowling machine mechanic and worked on machines all around the midwest. He often moon-lite as the on-duty mechanic during league nights and I'd go with him.
Mostly he worked at the local 16-lane alley with ancient AMF machines. The logic was all relays in a "chassis" on each machine. Relays would fail, pins and balls would end up where they're not supposed to be, folks would roll the ball into the sweep. All kinds of stuff. As a kid was was fantastic to see. A pinsetter machine is a real Rube Goldberg type contraption. Probably lead me to being an engineer.
We had the several opportunities to buy a small-town bowling center, but looking at the economics -- even back in the 1980's -- wasn't good. Most of the operating profit back then came from alcohol sales and that's a totally different business.
Good luck! Recently Facebook has been showing me a lot of bowling content. Be cool if it's making a comeback.
- monster_truck
Is there a URL I can send people? I would like to show this to an OG in the pro circuit who has been looking to buy an alley and modernize it but is being dissuaded by the exact situation you are describing.
We so desperately need more 'third spaces' and Bowling Alleys are great for this
- alentred
Professional techie and amateur bowler here. I am bowling on old-ish lanes, and the stats we have beyond the score is... well, ball speed only and it barely works on half of the lanes only. I doubt that our alley would ever agree to install anything ad-hoc, but I am super interested in finding out more about your build. If you have a blog, or can post photos and some information about your build I would be glad to read more.
Good luck with your new business!!! It sounds super exciting, hope everything works out, the roof, the patrons, and all.
- doodlebugging
Your project reminded me of this recent Texas Monthly article about nine-pin bowling alleys [0]. Your upgrades could help them draw in new customers.
[0]https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/ninepin-bowling-end...
I grew up in central Texas and bowling was a big family event. Dad was a frequent bowler, bowling in local leagues and travelling the pro-am circuit later. He debated going pro and ultimately, due to a job relocation, stopped bowling. Us kids were active in leagues for younger bowlers. We used to spend quite a bit of time at the bowling alley playing pinball or shooting pool (no video games back then). In those days, a bowling alley offered food and drinks so that you could take the whole family and spend day there without having to go anywhere else for anything. That may be the norm today too. I haven't bowled in about 6 years though.
Best of luck to you! I love bowling. It is a skills game that is easy to learn and requires discipline to master.
- starky
That is awesome. I worked at a bowling alley as a mechanic in high school (Brunswick A2) and got a sense of how stupid expensive the replacement equipment was. At one point another employee spilled their coffee over the keyboard used to control the score-keeping system, apparently the replacement was something like $400. What fancy proprietary keyboard did you get for that $400? The keyboard cable replaced with a phone plug.
- ajackfox
This is awesome, and I'm really happy that someone is trying this. Recreational spaces are severely lacking in so many places now: while I love digital things, it can't fully replace actual group activities in meat space, but I guess it's just not as profitable since it doesn't scale.
I would totally be a patron with my family at your bowling center, and would love to read a blog or something about your journey.
- jjkaczor
Heh - do you have a "blog" (ala jwz's DNA Lounge)?
(This is the kind of retiring from IT tale that I love to read and follow the trials and tribulations of over the years - good luck, thanks for open-sourcing your work!)