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STEAM Portfolio 2019
BIKE SAFETY GEAR
The Problem
The Problem
Original Problem:
There are many bikers in our school, but it isn't always safe. Further, not many people wear helmets or have additional gear to protect them.
Redefined Problem:
We need to come up with a solution that enhances the safety of the bike user.
Constraints and Specifications
Constraints and Specifications
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We have to use a microbit (device)
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We have to include coding
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The microbit is 5cm x 4cm
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Due by early June
Our client is an adult that rides his bike every day to work. He normally rides on the roads, as to avoid pedestrians. He does not currently wear a helmet while he rides his bamboo bicycle
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No bright colours or flashy statements
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On a skateboard style helmet
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Should have different uses and is detachable
Brainstorming/Pros and Cons
Brainstorming/Pros and Cons
***Note I added these two step in the problem-solving process together because when actually creating the product, this is how we discussed and documented as a company.
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Lights on a helmet (as turn signals)
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Blinkers for the back of the back (as turn signals)
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Weather forecast device on the bike
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Predal-mounted turn signals
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Programmable Bell
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Bicycle mirror with lights
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Sensor bike light
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Reflective vest with lights
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Lights (blinkers) in the wheels
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Gloves (gesture activated) with blinkers/signals
Possible Solutions:
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​Pros:
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an additional safety element to a helmet
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depending on the colour, can be used during the day and night
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reliable, if controlled by remote
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able to have both hands on the handle
Cons:
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​​the positioning of lights is difficult
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needs component to house a battery
Problems we Need to Solve:
1. The client doesn't know when people come up behind him on the ebike​​
Solution: to use the ultrasonic sensor to signal the bike rider​
2. Doesn't have a way of warning people behind him when he is turning
Solution: program lights onto the helmet that are controlled with a remote
3. The client's head being uncomfortable in a helmet because he is bald
Solution: Attach a sweatband or some sort of thin cap to the inside of the helmet
​Pros:
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if blinker on the pedal, then it does not need to be in an arrow shape
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multiple possible locations of blinkers
Cons:
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​​needs at least 3 microbits
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unsure of a secure location
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​Pros:
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it senses light
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easy to manipulate
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location is flexible
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shows location
Cons:
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may not have the right technology
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not helpful for manoeuvring
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may not help during the day
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​Pros:
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can be used by multiple people
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not exclusive to your personal bike
Cons:
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need to have two gloves
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need to use specific signals (people may not understand)
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needs to be on front and back of gloves making it fragile
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Plan:
To create a helmet with blinkers to signal which direction our client will turn.
We later added the element of an ultrasonic sensor to detect people behind the client because he talked about this being a current problem that he faces. It was difficult to communicate with our client on a regular basis because he didn't respond to our emails.
Creating a Prototype
Creting Prototype
Click through the photos to see different stages of our prototypes. Read the description to find out a little more!
First Brainstorm
This is an image of the first brainstorm we had of our design. We were thinking long term about how everything would be connected and how it would be placed on the helmet.
Second Brainstorm
This is our second brainstorm. At this point we still thought that we might have an attachment on the pedals of the bike, however we did not pursue this plan any farther.
Code for ultrasonic sensor and light
This code represents (and it finally worked!) what will happen between the different microbits. We have to be very careful about which pins and ports we use because we are using so many microbits. For the code to work you have to make sure there are no overlaps - and this is the code we finally arrived at.
First Brainstorm
This is an image of the first brainstorm we had of our design. We were thinking long term about how everything would be connected and how it would be placed on the helmet.
1/13
Final Product
Final Product
Due to the schedule of the rest of the school year, we haven't yet finished our final product - so I do not have any documentation to show it. Our final product will be attached to the helmet at the left. We will use magnetic strips to make the different parts detachable. At the moment, all of the code is in order, we just need to finish soldering and attaching everything. Then we will have to showcase it to our client and see what he thinks.
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Our final product works by pushing button A on microbit 1 (attached at the handlebars). That will send a signal to microbit 2 on the helmet (it controls the lights). Depending on which button you push will turn on a different light. At the same time, microbit 3 is constantly sending signals back to microbit 1 about the distance of objects. If an object is between 1 and 2 metres a single line will show up on microbit 1. If an object is within a metre the whole microbit will flash.
Insert picture here of final prototype
Ways to Improve
Ways to Improve
Out of all the projects we have done this year in STEAM, this has definitely been the most organised and efficient. However, if we were to do this again there are a couple of things I would change. The first being our communication with our client. By using an old helmet in our class, we didn't meet all of our original expectations (although it was out of our control). Next time when communicating with the client at the beginning I would emphasise how important it is that we have a helmet that they like to wear. This would have allowed us to further develop smaller features such as having a guard for our clients head.
Overall, this company has been extremely fun to work with and we have made a lot of progress in learning since we have started - and so far we have met our goals and created a usable prototype!
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