Final Project
Behavioural Monitoring and Alert System for Young Motorcycle Riders
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young adults aged 15–29 worldwide with motorcyclist’s accounting for 20% of all road fatalities. Out of all road users, young motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable and likely users to end up in a crash due to poor risk assessment and over-confident riding behaviours.
My project aimed to address this by delivering a behavioural monitoring device to alert riders to risky riding behaviours. A post-ride app enables users to understand and learn from their mistakes to help young riders reduce extremely high insurance premiums and differentiate themselves from the reckless and overconfident stereotype.
How It Works
Accelerometer and gyroscope data processed through a gaussian mixture model algorithm is used to segment and classify riding behaviour in real time. Paired with a radar sensor and appropriate braking distance algorithms, the device alerts riders to ‘near-fall’ and risky riding behaviours. This is done using LED alerts and a screen displaying behavioural hazard symbols.
A camera records and documents riding footage, automatically saving near-fall footage for riders to review and learn from their mistakes in the post-ride app. Fall detection automatically saves camera footage as well as messages saved emergency contacts.
Prototyping
Prototyping the electronic system was crucial for user testing and gathering feedback to influence and change the design. Testing with appropriate users developed the design and produced a more meaningful, impactful and realistic project.
Examples of prototypes created include accelerometer and gyroscope circuits that were tested in two separate mounting locations. As well as the location, colour and lighting pattern of the LED alerts were prototyped and tested in realistic environments, which resulted in the addition of hazard symbols.
Design week was a week in which external companies came to the university and presented a live design brief on a given subject. We then had a week to respond to the brief with a design proposal. Holophane presented the brief, ‘Design a product to light an exterior space to support the elderly’.
In response to the brief, I proposed an outdoor light designed to fit to existing lighting infrastructure, reducing the cost of installation for local councils. The system utilises a PIR sensor to detect movement and automatically produce a brighter and cooler light to improve the visibility and functionality of public spaces for elderly users.
Work Experience
Placement Year at Roper Rhodes
I was a key member of the product development team, designing bathroom products including LED and smart tech mirrors, modern cabinets, lighting and modern brassware.
I was involved in numerous projects in the Roper Rhodes Autumn 2023 collection. I took on the role of project manager for a personal project, which entailed overseeing the entire process from concept development to manufacturing in East Asia. This experience involved regular communication with manufacturers, enabling me to gain valuable insights into manufacturing methods necessary for designing suitable products. Additionally, I acquired the skills and knowledge required to bring a product successfully to market.
