Project BikEcho

• Christopher Annen
• Dan Even
• Rahaan Gandhi
• Moe Nakira

According to the IIHS, in 2019, a total of 843 bicyclists were killed in motor-vehicle crashes. Since 1975, deaths amongst adult bicyclists have tripled. Our project aims to tackle this issue by creating a dual unit, blind-spot detection device that is portable, easily attachable, and contains a simple warning interface alerting the rider of impending vehicular danger. The most common collisions between cyclists and automobiles occur from directly behind or in the blind spots of the rider. We are using a compact array of LiDAR and radar sensors mounted in a unit below the seat to detect distance, speed, and motion. We are optimizing their integration in order to process object distance and relative speed information to alert the user of an approaching object from their blind spot. We hope to achieve an object sensing accuracy of 90% for both distance and speed. The sensor unit will communicate with a receiving unit via Bluetooth connection mounted at the handlebars. The receiver will respond with easily recognizable audible and visual cues, keeping distraction low and allowing the rider to stay focused on the road.

See supporting documentation in the team’s Box drive.