Imagine zipping through the city streets on a shared electric scooter, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face. But what if, suddenly, your scooter starts to slow down, and you realize you’re on the sidewalk? That’s exactly what’s happening in Santa Monica, California, thanks to a new system developed by California Polytechnic State University’s Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub).
Throttle Control: Putting the Brakes on Sidewalk Scooting
As shared electric scooters have become increasingly popular in cities, so have concerns about their use on sidewalks. These concerns are not unfounded. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 15,000 people were injured in scooter-related crashes in 2020, with over 40% of those injuries occurring on sidewalks.
In an effort to address these safety concerns, the city of Santa Monica sought a solution beyond signage and outreach campaigns. They turned to DxHub, a university-based research center focused on developing innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Sensing Sidewalks: A Technological Breakthrough
DxHub’s team of engineers and computer scientists set out to develop a system that could accurately detect when a scooter was being ridden on a sidewalk. Their initial approach involved using a dual-band GPS receiver chipset, but they quickly realized that this method was not precise enough.
After some brainstorming, the team came up with a novel solution: using accelerometer readings to sense sidewalk riding. Accelerometers are small, inexpensive sensors that can measure the movement of an object. By analyzing the accelerometer data, the team was able to develop an algorithm that could accurately distinguish between sidewalk riding and riding on the street.
Building a Prototype: Putting Theory into Practice
With their algorithm in hand, the DxHub team set about building a prototype scooter that would incorporate their new technology. They used an iRobota Nano, a small, low-cost microcontroller board, and a cheap IMU (inertial measurement unit) module, which houses the accelerometer. The prototype was able to achieve a high degree of accuracy in detecting sidewalk riding.
Fine-Tuning and Future Directions
While the prototype demonstrated the feasibility of the concept, the DxHub team is working on further refinements to improve the system’s accuracy and robustness. They are also exploring ways to integrate the system with existing scooter-sharing platforms.
The team’s work has attracted attention from other cities and scooter-sharing companies. If successful, their system could help to reduce the number of scooter-related injuries and make our cities safer for everyone.
Bonus: Did you know that electric scooters are not just a convenient way to get around, but they can also be a lot of fun? If you’re looking for a new way to explore your city, consider renting a scooter and giving it a try. Just be sure to ride responsibly and obey the rules of the road.
As the popularity of electric scooters continues to grow, it’s important to find ways to make them safer for everyone. The DxHub team’s work is a promising step in that direction.
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