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BikeSense

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Tennis

In collaboration with Brooks Butler

Fall 2023

Problem

Cycling in urban environments presents pressing safety challenges stemming from factors such as heavy traffic, inadequate bike lanes, driver awareness gaps, high population density, and constrained space.

Existing Solutions

Cycling in urban environments presents pressing safety challenges stemming from factors such as heavy traffic, inadequate bike lanes, driver awareness gaps, high population density, and constrained space.

Observation

We observed several riders in the city to understand how they were using their bikes and the concerns they have with their experience. We recorded this information in the form of interviews.

Interview Takeaways

A little line about what’s being said and who’s saying it.

Sarah
Citi Biker
Leisure Biker - Bikes every other month.
Doesn’t own a bike - Citibike
Type of Handlebar - Cruiser
“Since I don’t live in the city, I have to rely on my phone for directions. it’s all kinda overwhelming especially while trying to stay safe and keep my eyes on the road.”
Blake
Commuter and Exercise
Commuter / Exercise - from Brooklyn to Manhattan.
Sport Road Bike
Type of Handlebar - Drop
“I recently got into an accident with a moped in the bike lane. The streets here and even the bike lanes are unpredicatble and I wish I had more time to react.
John
Avid Biker
An avid biker who does backpacking with his bike.
Hybrid
Type of Handlebar - Drop
“When biking in the city I try to use protected bike lanes, mainly because drivers do not see me turning at intersections, which I feel is the area most prone to causing an accident.”
Bicycle Habitat
Bicycle Store and Repair
Prospect Park.
Handlebars - Easiest things on a bike to install.
Adjusted relatively easily to fit the user’s comfort level.
Standard handlebar tube widths - universal user.
Drop handlebars allow for different hand positions which can be beneficial for biking longer distances where your body may become fatigued.
Marcus
Commuter
Commuter - to get to work.
Fixed Gear Bike
Type of Handlebar - Riser
“Cars do not see me at night when biking home from work so I tend to wear a bright colored bag with reflective material. I attached a red blinker to my bike, but the battery dies out and requires a tool to replace.”
PedalCell
Kinetic Accessory Company
Adam Hokin co-founder.
A device that uses kinetic energy to power your devices on the go.
The bike accessory industry is very competitive, so for a successful product it must be intuitive, designed well, and built to last. People are willing to spend a premium if it delivers.

Design Objective
A bike handlebar that communicates with commuters on the road improving cycling awareness for the rider and surrounding environement.
Solution
BikeSense aims to create a bike handlebar for increasing biking safety. it will improve cycling awareness amongst the rider and the surrounding environment reducing accidents in urban environments.
Technology
Ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles close by.
Haptic discs to notify the rider about obstacles.
Arduino to power everything.

Types of Handlebars

We looked at a variety of existing handlebars to understand different forms for different applications.

Ideation Sketches

Ideation sketches guided our process and provided a sense of direction for the form of the handlebar. Green highlights indicate the sketches we chose to move forward.

Sketch Models

Handle designs to test out form, scale, and ergonomics. Green highlights indicate the models we chose to move forward.

Conceptualization
A bike handlebar that communicates with commuters on the road improving cycling awareness for the rider and surrounding environement.
- Concept 1 - Traditional Drop Handlebar
  Rechargeable Battery
  Pros
  Familiarity.
  Ergonomic.
  Cons
  Less(er) stability.
  Electronics more difficult to install due to its organic nature.
- Concept 2 - Drop Handlebar Double Square Tube
  Rechargeable Battery
  Pros
  More space for electronics.
  More surface area to grip.
  Innovative design.
  Cons
  Longer installation time due to the kinetic generator.
  Wider than drop handlebars.
- Concept 3 - Swept Back
  Kinetic Energy with PadelCell Technology
  Pros
  Simple.
  Natural angle for sensors.
  Kinetic charging.
  Cons
  Complex design.
  Bulky.

Tech Schematic

This diagram illustrates the overall technology needed to implement the blind-spot detection system as well as lighting in the handlebar. The system is divided into two. Both the right and the left sides have two buttons to activate the turn signals as well as two haptic motors which are activated based on the data analyzed through the microcontroller.

Blind-spot Detection System

Based on our testing, if an object is detected within 4m with more reliable results at 1.5m, the haptic motors on either or both sides are activated. The rider recieves a constant haptic vibration as the object gets closer.

Functional Model

This is our functional model. Using the schematic we integrated all technologies that we have mentioned previously. LEDs, ultrasonic sensors, haptic motors, and buttons.

Final Design

The build process was a long one. From coding using Arduino IDE, designing CAD files in Solidworks to then 3D printing various prototypes to best fit our needs. Acquiring different electronics and consulting engineers to make a functioning model to prove our concept.

Final Model

BikeSense

i

make

things.

Home

About Me

Portfolio

Tennis

In collaboration with Brooks Butler

Fall 2023

Problem

Cycling in urban environments presents pressing safety challenges stemming from factors such as heavy traffic, inadequate bike lanes, driver awareness gaps, high population density, and constrained space.

Existing Solutions

Cycling in urban environments presents pressing safety challenges stemming from factors such as heavy traffic, inadequate bike lanes, driver awareness gaps, high population density, and constrained space.

Observation

We observed several riders in the city to understand how they were using their bikes and the concerns they have with their experience. We recorded this information in the form of interviews.