IoT on Wheels Part 2: Smart Bike -- Episode 304

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The team are on the road with the IoT on Wheels design challenge to make their bicycle smarter. Using ST Microelectronics Nucleo hardware with Bluetooth Low Energy means the project can pair with other devices, such as an Android smartphone. The team decided to use the sensors in the Nucleo to detect accidents and potholes in the road and be able to record and report them. Due to the project being a prototype it is large and bulky. This is due to the demonstration versions of the hardware, and the 3D printed parts designed in Autodesk Fusion 360 to protect it. Watch now to find out how Felix overcomes problems with the mBed codebase and how the android app works! What do you think of the project? Or have you entered the design challenge?

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Top Comments

DAB over 7 years ago in reply to BigG

I believe the intent is just to mark them, not bike through them, which is why I suggested the camera.

Now if you are a BMX biker, then I suspect experiencing the roughness of the pothole would be considered part of the fun.

DAB
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makerkaren over 7 years ago

The idea of marking the pothole is not that the device would do it automatically from feedback from the sensors. The person would press a button that has been programmed to mark the location of a pothole. The tilt sensors were to notify the owner of potential theft.
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BigG over 7 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

In my experience, it's mostly a case of wishing you had the chance to go around the pothole. Cycling in busy traffic limits your choices somewhat.
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beacon_dave over 7 years ago in reply to BigG

I suspect that most cyclists will tend to go around a pothole rather than cycling straight through it. Depends on its size and position relative to cycle lanes etc. though.
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BigG over 7 years ago in reply to DAB

Bike speed + some analytics around the accelerometer data should provide the ability to grade size of the pot hole. If you wanted to compare data from multiple bikes then maybe more challenging. Would you then not need loading (weight of bike + person) and degree of compression from tires + any shock absorption if the device is mounted on handlebars or under the seat? If this is the case, then agree that image data may be helpful for this purpose.
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DAB over 7 years ago

Very good episode.

The package design was very interesting to see evolve and the basic functionality was very useful.

I would add a camera so that you can record the size of the pot hole so that the city could review its severity for repair planning, but just having the location should help a lot.

Well done.

DAB
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