SPECIFICATION - ASSIGNMENT 2
Novelty & Impact
Some of the functions that we plan to have on the Smart Bike already exists, like measuring speed and distance. GPS-tracking is also available for bikes, although it’s not as common as the measuring of speed and distance. The novelty of the Smart Bike is the RFID-lock and the heating of the saddle.
Since the parts needed to build a Smart Bike already exists and becomes cheaper as time passes by, we believe that all bikes will ha smart functions in the future. Just like all new cars today have a GPS-system, so will all bikes have RFID-locks and saddle heating (in parts of the world where it is actually cold). Measuring speed, distance, calories burnt etc. will be standard on all new bikes.
Related Works
Former racing cyclist Chris Boardman created a design for an intelligent bike in 2009 that had an “unbreakable” lock, a solar-panel powered help engine, integrated music system, spokeless wheels and a lightweight carbon fiber frame that makes the bike more aerodynamic.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/6010317/Intelligent-bicycle-of-the-future-unveiled.html
Apple is working on a bike that can monitor speed, distance, time, altitude, elevation, incline, decline, heart rate, power, derailleur setting, cadence, wind speed, path completed, expected future path, heart rate, power, and pace.
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/08/apple-introduces-us-to-the-smart-bike.html
Conceptual Design
The RFID-lock will be implemented using a RFID-reader and RFID-tags which will control a servomotor to lock and unlock the bike. The lock will also have an accelerometer to measure the movement of the lock. If the bike is locked, than the lock shouldn’t move, and if it is, than an alarm will sound as someone is most likely trying to steal the bike.
The heating of the saddle will be implemented using a shoe heater (used in skishoes) connected to a relay. The heating will activate automatically when you sit on the saddle, using a pressure sensor, if the temperature is lower than e.g. 5 degrees. The temperature will be measured with a thermometer.
To measure the speed and therefor also the distance we will use a magnetic sensor that measures the number of turns the wheel does. If you know the turns of the wheel during a certain amount of time, and the size of the wheel, you can calculate the speed and the distance.
The collected data will be displayed on a LCD-screen.
