Proposed Navigation Device >:)

[Shotokan]

Hi folks,
I'm an Innovative Product Design student in Dundee Scotland and my
last brief was to design a short range communication device that works
over 20m. The user group i have chosen is cyclists and now that the
project is a few weeks in i would really appreciate some feedback and
constructive criticism on my idea.
The idea is that when off-roading in groups and especially at night it
is difficult to determine where the bulk of the group is going to go.
Also when just joining a group it is daunting to shout for everyone to
stop when a puncture or similar problem occurs.
My proposed solution is a lightweight, handlebar mounted display that
uses digital compass technology to detect where the group "leader" is
going and shows this on a LED pointer display. A visual alarm is also
included so that a rider in trouble can quickly alert everyone in the
group when a problem occurs. I am also thinking of including a lesser
alarm that notifies the riders behind of obstacles such as fallen
trees or hairpin bends but i am wary of how much the device will
weigh.
Some feedback on this idea would be really useful. Thanks in advance
>:)

Edward Lewis

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[Per Elmsäter]

Shotokan wrote:
> Hi folks,
> I'm an Innovative Product Design student in Dundee Scotland and my
> last brief was to design a short range communication device that works
> over 20m. The user group i have chosen is cyclists and now that the
> project is a few weeks in i would really appreciate some feedback and
> constructive criticism on my idea.
> The idea is that when off-roading in groups and especially at night it
> is difficult to determine where the bulk of the group is going to go.
> Also when just joining a group it is daunting to shout for everyone to
> stop when a puncture or similar problem occurs.
> My proposed solution is a lightweight, handlebar mounted display that
> uses digital compass technology to detect where the group "leader" is
> going and shows this on a LED pointer display. A visual alarm is also
> included so that a rider in trouble can quickly alert everyone in the
> group when a problem occurs. I am also thinking of including a lesser
> alarm that notifies the riders behind of obstacles such as fallen
> trees or hairpin bends but i am wary of how much the device will
> weigh.
> Some feedback on this idea would be really useful. Thanks in advance
>> :)
>
> Edward Lewis

I doubt you have choosen the right group for this. I cannot see how any
cyclists would be even remotely interested in what you describe. Maybe
scubadivers?
Mainly due to your distance limitations I believe. At night we are so lit up
that we are seen 100 times as well as in the daytime.
As for where the bulk of the group moves. Well 99.999999% of the time it
moves down the same trail you do. Maybe in the desert, but then again there
are no trees blocking the headlights.
The only time we need to communicate with anything but a normal shout is
when somebody has gotten dropped and run into problems. Nowadays we use our
cellulars to call up to the front.
Your warning signals are way to theoretical. We already warn each other of
obstacles with hand and voice signals.
Any group of more than 4-5 riders very easily stretches way over 20 m.

Keep at it if it's for fun and learning but apart from that it sounds
totally useless.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

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[Shotokan]

I maybe should have stated that the brief is quite loose and the 20m
range is only really a suggestion or guideline. Thanks for being
honest though.

Edd >:)

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