Bike Computers and support (lack thereof) for BLE CGM Profile

[SimonP]

Just a small rant 😉

The Garmin bike computers and watches, etc., all support a plugin system called ConnectIQ which allows 3rd party developers to write their own code which runs on the devices. This means that you can use a Garmin and have it display your CGM data while you ride/run/sit in meetings, and if doing some sort of exercise (which records a FIT data file) the CGM data is also logged there.

I reached out to Wahoo support as they have a new bike computer called the Wahoo Ace. The hardware looks nice (big screen, transflective for long battery life) for my style of riding (longish distance, new places, need a map) to ask whether there was any hope of supporting a Libre - the devices were historically (and I would imagine still are) skinned Android devices and some years ago there were noises from the CEO about being supportive of 3rd party developers (one could sideload Android apps for example.)

They also had a custom integration for the Supersapiens CGM (for sports people, who probably don't need it), though when I asked a couple of years back about how the comms were done they were disinterested in discussing it (and I only had time/motivation to do a cursory dissection of the firmware and Supersapiens apps - without a working system it's more difficult.)

I just got a response back from Wahoo and the news is no better - apparently Supersapiens are no more (unsurprisingly to my mind) and any support for that sensor has been removed. CGMs are not currently in their plan, and there appears to be no useful way to get in touch with the developers to see whether supporting the BLE CGM profile might be on the cards.

A plugin system would also be nice I'd have thought, but I think if more sports device manufacturers supported the BLE CGM Profile (which is a standard) and ideally also the ANT+ equivalent (which is still "under development" - which means no manufacturer has produced a thing which needs to use it) then perhaps the various CGM manufacturers might start to actually support it themselves so that the CGM devices or at least the receiver app could re-broadcast the data.

As well as making life easier for those riding bikes, or running Parkruns, etc., it would also facilitate the sharing of data on-device for other purposes. It would be lovely to get to the point where apps to do BG datalogging and modelling could use the official app to obtain data in real-time rather than needing intermediaries such as Juggluco or XDrip+.

Ah, that was at least vaguely cathartic 🙂

 

[dannybgoode]

Not specifically answering your question but before you plump got an Ace check out DC Rainmaker's review of it. He is very unimpressed as the firmware currently stands...

 

[SimonP]

He did seem a bit harsh I thought, but yes it hasn't got the full set of features which might be expected/shown on the box (lol), but I think Wahoo generally do a decent job and assume they will fill in the missing bits over time. I don't care about Strava segments for example so it would work as-is for the time being.

However, if it can't show my BG and there's currently no method to talk to the devs, it's off the menu anyway.

In truth I'm really only interested if I can have a poke at a firmware update file to establish that it's definitely running Android and work out how to make my own so I might have a fighting chance of building and flashing my own software - I'm not too bothered about what comes with it, I want a blank slate really, but one that doesn't require vast amounts of laborious reverse engineering.

 

[dannybgoode]

I want a blank slate really, but one that doesn't require vast amounts of laborious reverse engineering.

Hardcore app development that! Have you looked at Karoo? I'm almost certain they're Android based.

 

[SimonP]

Karoo are, but I want something that will reliably last 10h+, I don't need range anxiety! 🙂

I read the cycling press saying how no-one needs a device which lasts 10h and apparently everyone wants a smaller device with a brighter screen with 10 zillion colours. I feel that I am in complete contrast to this, I don't care very much about the weight/physical size, I do want a large screen for maps but I also want an efficient one so am more than happy with transflective. The worst commentary I read (recently) was on roadcc with one of them suggesting that people should use a phone. There are lots of reasons why this is less useful than a cycling computer (having been there and done that for a while), it beggars belief that a cycling website can't see this. Muppets.

I've got a TwoNav Cross device, which will last the distance and runs Linux so I can and have been writing my own (though it's a somewhat endless process as I keep tweaking and then get distracted by actually riding rather than writing code during the warmer months - I will try to get it up and running on the actual device over Xmas so I have a fighting chance of using it in anger in the spring)

Re the Wahoo - new and shiny (and bigger screen which looks like it would require less backlight than the screen on the TwoNav) 🙂

 

[thediabeticway]

I'm using a Garmin started with an 830 and am now onto a Garmin Edge 1050 which is a great help on my visions of this screen, my readings are displayed from a few sources one being Nightscout the other Dexcom and also xdrip+ which gives you a better chance to keep connected while on a ride. I've been using it now for 6 years. You add them in connect





Connect iq Devices/ my data fields.
also do a search for xdrip or Nightscout or AndroidAPS there is others too! you need to install them first, then they go into your Datafieds!





Be good for us all to go for a cycle too! 🙂

 

[SimonP]

I use the same on my Garmin (watch and headunit), but it's a shame that Abbott's app does not publish the data using the BLE CGM profile (https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/specs/continuous-glucose-monitoring-profile-1-0-1/) and that all bike headunits cannot accept data from this profile (of course I've not tried emulating the BLE CGM profile yet, perhaps one does already.... though I'm not holding my breath!)

For reference there are profiles for lots of device types (power meters, heart rate meters, etc.) under both ANT+ and BLE, both of these also have a CGM profile, however the ANT+ version is not available to free members (and my phone lacks ANT+ hardware so BLE it is in terms of emulation)