Show HN: I replaced a $120k bowling center system with $1,600 in ESP32s
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
A bowling alley owner replaced a $120k scoring system with $1,600 in ESP32s.
The author bought an abandoned 8-lane bowling center for $105k. The 2008-vintage scoring system cost six figures and uses camera-based pin detection, ball speed/trajectory calculation, and relay control for the pinsetter. Replacement parts cost $4,000 per lane pair. The author built an open-source alternative called OpenLaneLink using ESP32 microcontrollers, ESPNow mesh with RS485 fallback, a Raspberry Pi gateway, Redis, and React. The prototype costs about $200 per lane pair. Repairs take minutes; the rig can be swapped in under 10. The system will be open-sourced.
What commenters are saying
Commenters are enthusiastic about the project's technical and business approach. They suggest adding LED/DMX lighting controlled by ball tracking, NFC tap-to-pay (with RFID in shoes as a fun idea), and lane availability displays. Technical advice includes using Art-net or sACN instead of DMX for lighting control, and webcams as cheap ball-tracking alternatives. One commenter notes that many bowling alleys are pricing themselves out of business: $130 for four people for an hour of bowling at a major city alley. The author responds that they charge $5/person or $25/hour for groups, with shoes included.