Advanced eBike Features - for More Safety and Fun

[Powervelocity.com]

I've been building ebikes for a few years now, both for myself and for customers. It looks like the focus has been primarily on the drive trains (such as mid-drive vs. hub motors), but it would be interesting to hear some opinions as to what would auxiliary features might be sought after, especially those that would make your ebikes more safe and fun use.

These are some thoughts that have been lingering in my mind to get the discussion going. I understand some of the ideas are not brand new but still it would be nice to hear some perspectives on these things.

- Traction control, ABS (anti-slip can be life saver on snow and ice for example)
- Integrated intelligent lighting system (stop signal, automatic turn signals, automatic high/low beams, maybe something else)
- Collision avoidance system (say power is cutoff and strongest regen is engaged if objects are approached at high speed and there is an imminent possibility of collision)

What else?

Feel free to chime in!


Master list of Desired Features:

- Blind spot detection with haptic feedback and/or buzzer, light indicator built into the mirror

- Auto high/low beams with manual override

- GPS tracking with online registry (this is already available as standalone products, I use it on my bikes for customers that ask for it), further integration with other features available via smartphone app

- Immobilizer (already available in alarm systems - remote start, arm, disarm, wheel lock, gps tracking), further integration with other features available via smartphone app

- Collision detection: either passive with a buzzer/haptic or active (cut off throttle/engage strongest regen)

- Traction control with manual override (probably will make sense only on ice and snow)

- Other smartphone features:
a) Check state of charge, notify when empty or charging completed
b) Proximity ignition on/off secure key (enabled via Bluetooth, RFID or such)
b) Toggles for customizing accessories
c) Tire pressure monitoring with notifications via smartphone app

- shocker on grips (although easy to implement, it might be illegal for use)

 

[tiny_n_terrible]

Can you post a video of you riding a motorized bicycle and the - Collision avoidance system (say power is cutoff and strongest regen is engaged if objects are approached at high speed and there is an imminent possibility of collision) system locks the front wheel at say 35 mph.
Or a video of you riding a motorized bicycle with the front brake modulator failing also at 35 mph.
My version of traction control is not performing a wheelie at take off.

 

[Chalo]

Cup holder
Heated seat with recline feature
Premium stereo with subwoofer
Rear view camera
DVD player
VR goggles
Foot bath
Flush toilet with bidet
Handgun for emergency suicide needs

So... what's wrong with just a bicycle? Or to put it another way, if more is better, why start with a bicycle?

 

[snellemin]

Those features in my mind, would belong in an E-moto format. But it would still be fun to have, just for the fun of it on a regular ebike.

 

[ccmdr]

Chalo - that VR idea is damn good. Imagine riding your favourite routes, having to hit check points like Mario Kart. You could upload your .gpx file into a map editor and mod it how you like. Get two of you with I.R sensor/recievers and it'd be like dog fighting or you could go co-op and set up VR zombies around the course that the both of you have to 'hit'. Or plot the fastest route with acceleration and braking points etc...

Besides the loonicalities, maybe an immobilizer. Bigger front disc rotors or more choice for dual disc hubs.
Integrated High/Low headlights and rear flasher. That are variable volt range 12-100v.
Frame kits for mid drive or mid hub drive. Like motoped, but accessible for all markets.
SLIR - Proxy sensor for when cars/lorries pass, so you can focus on whats ahead of you instead of looking to the side and then getting the vehicle slip stream blowing you off course.
Actual proper GORE PRO waterproofs for cyclists, not just the patsy Gore tex which will moisten any work clothing underneath after 10-20+ bicycle miles = more time in the rain. And not the plastic sweat boxes you can pick up for £15, they keep rain out but all your body humidity in!
High power chargers 1000w+.

Tbh in reality, the simpler the product, the more likely the 'general' populus will start having fun with ebikes.

Most people who are hobbyists will likely build their own product (although a tad DIY) or mod one together that suits them. I'd hazard a guess average mr/ms, get me to work 5 miles away in my work gear without being sweat saturated will just want a 20mph de-restrictable, light, reliable, with storage space, easy to lock up, easy charge with decent lights and a bell/horn to make thier presence known, maybe a phone mount to charge. I'm against that people a re glued to sodding phones in cars least we need is cyclists doing the same.

 

[Drunkskunk]

I like thinking outside the box.


Having an auto dimming, or high/low switching light would be a great idea in traffic. I can see it being abused to blind walkers and other rider's who may not have a light, though.

ABS exists. Regen braking is an Anti Lock Braking system. you might be able to improve it some, but it's not a new thing.

Traction control would be cool, but a near imposable, and not very useful. If your tire spins on snow or in mud, it's clearing the treads so you can get more traction. Not spinning would be the same as not moving. If you are rolling on ice but the ground is so slippery that you need traction control to keep the wheel at the edge between turning and spinning, you're only aiding the rider into getting themselves into a more dangerous situation and insulating them from the information that the wheel is trying to give them: "I am losing traction, you're about to fall on your butt". The average rider would never use traction control, and in almost any situation I can think of where I spun a wheel, I would want that wheel to spin.

Collision avoidance. If some big rottweiler jumps the fence and charges at me, the last thing I want is my bike not to F***ING GO NOWWWWW!!!!!!!!! After many decades of cycling, I've learned the best way to avoid a collision is to turn, and sometimes hit the pedals and/or throttle real hard to get out of the way. A bike's greatest asset is it's mobility. It's helped me avoid cars, motorcycles, jeeps, ATVs, dogs, angry drunks, trees, horses, other cyclists, pedestrians, a cougar, a bull, and some bigass bird. That absolute last thing I would want, and the most dangerous thing I can think of is some system that would take away that mobility in the time of a crisis. I would be hurt or dead many times over if my bike had decided to stop in their path.

I think the kind of things we need are better metrics, like the Cycle analyst, but with logging and tracking features accessible from a phone of computer. GPS tracking at all times, combined with an online registry. Tractable serial numbers for all batteries and motors. Integrated locking systems that make the bike unrideable by remote if needed. Charging alerts to your phone if you leave the battery on and it's about to discharge to a dangerous level.
Lots of phone app integration potential.
Ability to check your tire pressure from your phone.
Ability to check your battery from your phone.
Ability to check your bike's location from your phone.
Ability to check your battery usage and cycle life from your phone.
Ability to toggle any accessory like lights or horn from the phone.
Secure Key. your bike only functions in the presence of your phone.

We also need better lighting and visibility. too many bike lights are just a glorified flashlight, with a spot beam that wastes most of it's light above the road horizon. A good bike light would have a reflector and lens to focus most all of it's light onto the road and surrounding roadside, with just enough defused light facing forward to be seen.
There is also a need for some form of lighting or reflectors that could stylishly make the rider easier to see.

 

[macribs]

One thing I would like to see is blind spot detection. Like we see on newer models cars. That would greatly reduce the chances of being run down by faster moving vehicles in your blind spot. Like on the Vanhawks.

 

[ccmdr]

DrunkSkunk - was that a cougar in high heels or on all fours :lol:.

The visualisation is great. ebiker harrased by hungry pack of cougars. Many were stopped in stunned suprise by bright flashing lights whilst the blind spot detection system helped the rider avoid all other that had abondoned their heels and attempted to keep up.

Having built/inline bluetooth into controller to have an 'APP' based OS would be great.

 

[Powervelocity.com]

Not quite a joke. Can be done fairly easy, just trying to see if this will make sense for anyone.

Can you post a video of you riding a motorized bicycle and the - Collision avoidance system (say power is cutoff and strongest regen is engaged if objects are approached at high speed and there is an imminent possibility of collision) system locks the front wheel at say 35 mph.
Or a video of you riding a motorized bicycle with the front brake modulator failing also at 35 mph.
My version of traction control is not performing a wheelie at take off.

 

[Powervelocity.com]

This one should be easy from the technical standpoint but I have reservations as to usability/necessity. While certainly useful in a car (reduces collisions during lane change), I understand you have much better visibility on a bike and collisions can be easily reduced with a mirror. You also have better side vision on a bike than in a car because there is no B pillar.

One thing I would like to see is blind spot detection. Like we see on newer models cars. That would greatly reduce the chances of being run down by faster moving vehicles in your blind spot. Like on the Vanhawks.

 

[Powervelocity.com]

Lots of good ideas, Keep 'em coming, guys. Foot bath and bidet are my favorites so far.

 

[macribs]

This one should be easy from the technical standpoint but I have reservations as to usability/necessity. While certainly useful in a car (reduces collisions during lane change), I understand you have much better visibility on a bike and collisions can be easily reduced with a mirror. You also have better side vision on a bike than in a car because there is no B pillar.

When in hectic city traffic trying to change lanes to get ahead of traffic I know larger vehicle are prone to pass you on the outside even if you got your turn signal on - and if the blind spot for the mirror and with "old mans neck" at times it can be hard to have full view even on a bike. And being on an e-bike you are the smallest lightest vehicle on the road - that means you get no second chances. Missing a faster moving vehicle in your blind spot once and it will be game over most likely.

A blind spot detector would be an easy fit as well as a great for added safety.

 

[Chalo]

While we're making a wish list, I want a disintegrator ray.

 

[Dauntless]

Handgun for emergency suicide needs

Hey, wait a minute. Since when are YOU advocating gun ownership for the sheer fun of it?

. . . .I want a disintegrator ray.

Well, if you get one I get one. (Or two.)

My choice would be to have a Tardis on the rack, in case I realize I was supposed to be there yesterday.

 

[ccmdr]

Also, since UK/Aus drive on the left hand side of the road, you have to have a half twist throttle to fit those tiny bar end mirrors, which vibrate so much you'll be unlikly to see anything unless your doing 10mph.

If it were a wish list I'd say:
IP67 rated controller, motor and throttle.
A Smart BMS system like Adaptto.
A Buck charging system like Adaptto, but having the choice of larger 'sized' controller (with 3-6kw) for integrated coil (Adaptto Mini with integrated coil/dc etc). - Think of having just one large output rectifier charging an entire families transport, or maybe if employers tweaked the 'Cycle to work scheme' to supply a charging point. Instead of 36 or 48 or 64 or 74v etc... just one 30v ish at 80-100A .
DC-DC integrated into controller. Lighting etc...
Phone based OS for Controller operation and an APP that can integrate all the usual farkles GPS, accelerometer etc...
Heated grips, that when an intruder attempts to move the bike gives them some negative reinforcment (great big shock )
Cable tidy or minimum cable visability. Just looks like a finished product when cables aren't all over the place.
A 3 meter rear advance warning system with phone APP integration with low extrnal profile.
A strong mechanical font and rear braking system.

 

[eSurfer]

How about a button that activates a really loud horn and simultaneously activates really bright flashing lights.

 

[dogman dan]

Now that the wish list is beyond what you can really have, I just want a zapper that kills a cars ECM for 5 min. Take that, you left crossing f---er.

But yeah, totally agree that some things would be great, ABS, yes please. And a thingy that let me know just when to check my mirror, yes please. Not a blind spot thing, cuz the car is coming at you way too fast. But a beep when they are 50 yards behind you would be cool, when riding on a low traffic, narrow road. It would drive you nuts on a busy road, but out in the sticks, NICE!

Good lights, sure. A brake light, sure. Turn signals, I don't know. I firmly believe that only 5% of all drivers ever see them on motorcycles, unless at night. And of the 5% that see them, 4% use the warning to accelerate to screw you.

Bottom line, I'm very pessimistic that anything short of that zapper is going to make mixing with cars much safer. I've been riding two wheels too long to have one bit of trust.

 

[Powervelocity.com]

I've summarized features discussed so far into the master list and included that in the original post. Check it out and let me know if I missed anything important.
I realize, so far, blind spot detection is the winner, so, I am planning to come up with a prototype in the next few days and do some testing to evaluate the usability of this in real-life environment.

The detection range should be adjustable within 0.1-5 meters and the feedback can be made progressive (stronger haptic or faster light blinking as an object is approaching closer).
Now, I think the biggest dilemma would be where to mount the sensor, so your body parts don't trigger false alarms. I am thinking on the seat post. Unless anyone has a better idea.

 

[macribs]

Cup holder
Heated seat with recline feature
Premium stereo with subwoofer
Rear view camera
DVD player
VR goggles
Foot bath
Flush toilet with bidet
Handgun for emergency suicide needs

Great list the chalo didn't peg you as the NRA type and here you are advocating handguns. :lol:
But I know you are only joking because you added a bide too? Really a bide. That is so 1980's. Today we need those Japanese toilets that pressure washes your behind and air dry after. No paper needed. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[LockH]

I note the new Taga 2.0 comes with a handy squirt gun option feature. Might come in handy for any pesky vehicle operators:

 

[LewTwo]

I will settle for higher energy density batteries.

 

[macribs]

Phone based OS for Controller operation and an APP that can integrate all the usual farkles GPS, accelerometer etc...

Sure. Think of all the sensors in our smart phones that we don't use while riding. Not to mention phone also got great CPU/GPU and hi res screen real estate.
A way of take all this into use with the controller would give us all kind of kool stuff.

Gyro and accelerator sensors, those could give us WIFI/ BT automatic brake light that would work even with regen. As soon sensors notice braking forces equal or stronger then brake light would ignite.

Common these days are also fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor. Those two could be combined or stand alone. To lock/unlock features.

Not to mention using maps, gps etc.

And if opened for third party to make apps we could even have dedicated community making all kinds of cool apps as the need for one specific rises.

 

[LewTwo]

Phone based OS for Controller operation and an APP that can integrate all the usual farkles GPS, accelerometer etc...

Sure. Think of all the sensors in our smart phones that we don't use while riding. Not to mention phone also got great CPU/GPU and hi res screen real estate.
A way of take all this into use with the controller would give us all kind of kool stuff. .....

I have a samsung Galaxy S3.
The display is totally worthless in the sunlight.
I would really hate to have to depend on it to ride my bike.

 

[macribs]

I have a samsung Galaxy S3.
The display is totally worthless in the sunlight.
I would really hate to have to depend on it to ride my bike.

S3? So what about 4 years and still going strong. Good. That phone should still be fresh enough to take advantage of the cpu/bt and sensors. Used with an ear piece you wouldn't need the screen for say GPS, or maybe even get notification "in ear" when certain thresholds are reached for battery left.

I mean a lot have changed over the past 4 years or so since the S3 was released. Better screens, so high PPI and hi screen res those work great even outside on a sunny day.
Would you consider an upgrade if you could use cell phone for all kinds of cool e-bike stuff?

You wouldn't have to rely on your phone for riding. It would be an option to use extra features. If you don't fancy those, just keep your phone in your pocket.

 

[LewTwo]

... Would you consider an upgrade if you could use cell phone for all kinds of cool e-bike stuff? ...

Probably not because I am a cheap old SOB and the absolutely coolest thing about my e-bike is it is cheap to operate.

P.S.
Strong is not the word I would use to describe the S3. Adequate might be more appropriate.