DML Tool - Obsidian Publish

Posted: 11/04/2025 This is the expanded write up from the [current-projects](https://discord.com/channels/469524606043160576/1435355391381733447) post from Discord. Checkout the post [here](https://discord.com/channels/469524606043160576/1435355391381733447) where you can find the STL file. ![[3d-model-3-4.jpg]] Been meaning to try come up with ways to make the install process more enjoyable. As good as openpilot is, one of the first touch points for all users is installing the physical device to their car's windshield. Having comma power be optional was a awesome step forward! It made the process ALOT more feasible for most non techy people, becoming much more like a plug and play experience. Now, the current installation complexities come from steps that are not immediately clear to users during the installation process. When things are not obvious and are hard to reverse, they take more time and effort than expected. Any time things take longer than expected = not delightful experience. ## Not obvious things: 1) How to open specific car camera's shroud(cover) 2) How leveled does the mount need to be 3) How centered does the device need to be In this post I'm focusing on #2 -> How leveled does the mount need to be. Things that are hard to reverse(mount with a semi-permanent bond) can be made less stressful by having specific tools to assist. #### Main Source of Inspo iPhone screen protectors use to be very tedious to put on. You get the unwanted air bubbles and the screen protector would always be slightly off. But now we have screen protectors like [this](https://www.amazon.com/NeverBreak-Hardness-Protector-Protection-Resistance/dp/B0FKB5BGK9/ref=sr_1_13?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xes1fmlOZK5BZj1PvIXgIIQOaoYmQ8AynEnU1g_qhS6KOYsxuqnyX1S94Oayg8ThYyo-4IflxrMXn5YfZDIVqovRAZA7ZrFaw-zYJwm1dDPVLCPRGAdvTOAqg7RupoHzA3ErOYNPPc5RApNpjuZdLRrVtuweXMg9dI_FIMBVDSa_1jA5M3Hn8O3d0-1vMq_OBeSKKObnh2c5FrUYKEziaJIYEfx-8ym9JbAx0vYn0LW-_TfJaMZgc-vysY-HkAxozigJTKoUiAe0_EwrX2DVp6h1WIAPsKpGMoOwGfabsE4.fKZ_Vp0Pes8O6AbXmOVI-A-jzgjrukZp5vAWgHEdESY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cell%2BPhone%2BScreen%2BProtectors&qid=1762158976&s=wireless&sr=1-13&ts_id=2407781011&th=1). ![[screenprotector-helper.gif]] Most screen protectors you can buy come with a tool that make the whole process quicker and less stressful while providing a better result compared to if you didn't use one. Previously, putting a screen protectors on my phone use to be a tedious process where I wouldn't trust my Mom to do it. Now it's a process where my Mom's skill isn't really as big of an issue **so long** she uses the the included tool helper. | Nest thermostat base | Nest tool | | ----------------------- | -------------------- | | ![[nest-base.jpg\|300]] | ![[nest-2.jpg\|300]] | Other similar tool are from Nest, an early smart learning thermostat company from 2011. The first picture is the base plate with clearly labeled wire names and a bubble level at the top. They also included the multi tool with all the different screw heads you might come across. What these tools have in common is it was a purpose built tool specifically for making certain steps easier. So long as the north star of the comma 3X is to be a great consumer product, the out of box to windshield experience should have all needed tools for ***hard to reverse steps***. Putting the mount on the windshield is a step that is hard to reverse if it is not up to the users quality standard. Which, in this case is having a mostly leveled, not crooked mount on their windshield. ## How DML Tool works #### Put the 3 pieces of double sided tape on back of tool. ![[tape-on-back.jpg]] #### To grab the DML tool make a heart with your thumb and index. Spread them apart and place index under the handle then place thumb on top ![[make-heart.gif]] #### Using your dominant hand, place tool where you want the mount to be. Don't worry about it being leveled yet. ![[place-tool.gif]] #### After DML tool is on windshield. Use both hands to adjust the tool with the left and right handle until the bubble is within the lines. After bubble is within the lines press down on the tool so the double sided tape has a good hold sticking to windshield ![[adjust-with-both-hands.gif]] #### Use your index and thumb to grab the device mount ![[grab-by-sides.gif]] #### Have the top edge of the mount to touch the lip that will guide you down to the hole. The "X" in the image is what you'll make contact with using the top edge of the mount ![[x-lip.jpg]] #### Place the mount into the middle opening of the DML Tool and press down ![[mount-to-opening.gif]] #### Remove DML tool using either handle ![[rm-tool.gif]] --- # Device Mount Leveler Tool aka DML Tool ![[cropped-dml-tool.jpg]] ## General Specs: - tool is 2in x 4in -> a little bigger than a business card - 12-15g of PLA filament material - cost of materials assuming .02cents/gram is about .30cents, but depends on bulk filament cost. - 10mm x 10mm x 29mm - square mini spirit level bubble - mini spirit level bubble seem to range around .15cents(w/out shipping being accounted) if bought bulk ([alibaba](https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-Accuracy-Square-Bubble-Level-Vial_1601400958596.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.660013a0aBAO1r&priceId=5f8e2d40d6004813abf9fd6f287672a4)). - the mini spirit level bubble I got - Amazon [link](https://a.co/d/6oBkDOn). Came out to about $1 each since I only got 6 - Double sided tape, or we could use a strip of painters tape that user tears into 3 small pieces ## The road to v3.4 ![[road-to-3-4.jpg]] These are all the past versions that led up to v3.4 ## Not done yet This design is not final and is still due for more tweaks. But the next part is getting it into users hands to see how they actually interact with it and to test the explanations above. The goal of the DML Tool is to provide training wheels to users(who need them) so they don't feel like they are in the deep end by themselves during certain hard to reverse steps of the install. This creates a more delightful experience, since the time they expected it to take, aligned with what actually happened.