Ford engineer makes a vibrating shift knob by Xbox One and 3D printer

Zachary Nelson, a recent MIT graduate hired by Ford last year, started by learning Ford's OpenXC app platform, then transforming a Ford Focus ST shift knob by re-creating a stock model with a hollowed-out interior via 3-D printing. Inside, Nelson used an Arduino controller with a mini-USB port and the vibration motor from a Microsoft XBox controller, along with a couple of LED lights and a mini LCD gear number display on top as indicators.

Ford, which has programs underway encouraging developers to write software apps that drivers could use on the road. And one of its younger engineers has come up with an example of what's possible, building an inexpensive gear shift knob that can vibrate and light up to suggest when it's time to drop the clutch — with plans other hobbyists can easily copy.

When fully assembled, the knob is able to communicate with the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system using Ford's open source OpenXC software platform, and vibrate to let you know when you need to shift gears. As Wired notes, the knob can even be used by more experienced drivers to pinpoint exactly when to shift to get either the most performance or the best fuel economy. We also expect a booming business in custom shifter designs to start any minute now.