Smart Electric Cycle
About the Product
Dysmech has innovatively developed a smart device that seamlessly integrates with a standard bicycle, transforming it into an electric cycle. This advanced solution offers an enhanced version that further upgrades the bike into a smart cycle, designed specifically for rental purposes. Ideal for use in housing societies, university campuses, and large industrial complexes, this smart cycle comes equipped with features such as real-time tracking, automated rental management, and performance monitoring. By combining traditional cycling with cutting-edge technology, Dysmech provides a versatile and eco-friendly transportation solution that meets the needs of modern urban and industrial environments.
Client
Hindustan Cycles, Chennai
Specification
- Electric Motor: Powers the bicycle, providing an electric boost to enhance speed and ease of use.
- Battery Pack: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery ensures long-lasting power and efficient performance for extended rides.
- Controller Unit: Manages the motor’s power output and integrates with the bike’s electronic components to deliver smooth acceleration and braking.
- Sensors: Include speed sensors, GPS modules, and accelerometers for real-time data collection and monitoring of bike performance.
- Communication Module: Enables wireless connectivity, allowing for data transfer and integration with rental management systems via Bluetooth or cellular networks.
- User Interface: Typically a handlebar-mounted display or mobile app interface that provides users with essential information such as battery level, speed, and navigation.
- Smart Lock Mechanism: Ensures secure locking and unlocking of the bike, crucial for rental operations and theft prevention.
Mobile Apps
- User Registration and Profile Management: Allows users to create accounts, manage personal information, and track their rental history.
- Bike Location and Availability: Provides real-time tracking of available bikes within a specified area, helping users locate and select the nearest cycle.
- Rental Booking and Payment: Facilitates seamless booking of bikes, including payment processing through secure methods such as credit/debit cards or digital wallets.
- Performance Monitoring: Offers insights into bike performance metrics like speed, distance traveled, and battery status.
- Navigation Assistance: Includes GPS-based navigation to guide users along optimal routes and track their journey.
- Smart Lock Control: Enables users to unlock and lock the bike remotely through the app, ensuring ease of access and security.
- Notifications and Alerts: Sends updates regarding rental status, battery levels, and any maintenance or issues with the bike.
- Feedback and Support: Allows users to provide feedback on their rental experience and access customer support for assistance with any issues.
Dashboard for Operator
- Fleet Management: Overview of all bikes in the fleet, including their current location, status (available, in use, or maintenance), and battery levels.
- Real-Time Tracking: Live tracking of each bike’s location and movement, allowing operators to monitor usage patterns and identify any potential issues.
- Rental Analytics: Detailed reports on usage statistics, such as the number of rentals, peak usage times, average rental duration, and revenue generated.
- Maintenance Scheduling: Tools to schedule and track regular maintenance and repairs, ensuring the fleet remains in optimal condition and reducing downtime.
- User Management: Access to user profiles and rental history, including data on frequent users, payment transactions, and any reported issues or complaints.
- Incident Reporting: System for logging and managing incidents or malfunctions reported by users, facilitating timely resolution and ensuring bike safety.
- Alerts and Notifications: Customizable notifications for various events, such as low battery levels, bikes in restricted areas, or overdue rentals.
- System Configuration: Ability to configure and update system settings, such as pricing models, rental policies, and bike availability zones.
- Analytics and Insights: Visualization tools and data analytics to help operators understand trends, optimize fleet deployment, and make data-driven decisions.
Technology Used
Conceptual Design
- CAD Software (Catia): For designing the mechanical components, such as the motor housing, battery mount, and integration points for the bicycle.
- Reverse Engineering: Scanning of Cycle to check the best possible options to install Battery pack, Motor.
Hardware Development
- Electric Motor (Brushless DC Motor, Hub Motor): The core component for providing electric assistance, mounted on the wheel hub or connected to the chain drive.
- Battery Pack (LiFePO4): A compact, rechargeable battery that provides power to the motor. Must be designed for easy attachment and detachment.
- Motor Controller: A device that manages the power flow from the battery to the motor, ensuring smooth acceleration and efficient power usage.
- Sensor Modules:
- Torque Sensor: To detect the rider’s pedaling force and adjust motor assistance accordingly.
- Speed Sensor: For monitoring the bicycle’s speed and providing feedback to the motor controller.
- Battery Management System (BMS): To monitor and manage battery health, ensuring safe operation and longevity.
- Throttle and Pedal Assist System: For giving riders control over the level of electric assistance they receive while riding.
- GPS Module: For tracking the bicycle’s location, essential for the cycle rental service and theft prevention.
- Communication Modules (e.g., Bluetooth, GSM, LoRa): For enabling the smart device to communicate with the mobile app and rental service backend.
Embedded Systems Development
- Programming Languages (C/C++, Python): For developing firmware that controls the motor, manages sensor data, and handles communication with the mobile app.
- Embedded Development Platforms (Arduino, ESP32): For prototyping and testing embedded systems before final production.
- Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS): For managing the different tasks, such as motor control, sensor data processing, and communication.
Industrial Communication Protocols
- CAN Bus: Commonly used in automotive applications, suitable for communication between the motor, battery, and other sensors.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): For connecting the smart device to the mobile app, enabling features like speed control, battery monitoring, and diagnostics.
- MQTT: For lightweight communication between the device and cloud services, enabling real-time data transmission to the rental service’s backend.
- LoRaWAN: For long-range communication in areas where GSM or Wi-Fi coverage is poor, useful for tracking bicycles in rental services.
Mobile App Development
- Development Frameworks (React Native): For building cross-platform or native mobile apps that allow users to control the electric assist, track battery life, and locate rental bicycles.
- Backend Services (Firebase): For managing user authentication, data synchronization, and cloud storage.
- Bluetooth SDKs: For integrating communication between the smart device and the mobile app, enabling real-time control and data monitoring.
- UI/UX Design Tools (Figma): For designing a user-friendly interface that displays relevant information such as speed, battery status, and rental details.
Cloud Integration and Data Management
- IoT Platforms (ThingsBoard): For managing device connectivity, data ingestion, and storage, as well as integrating with the rental service’s backend.
- Real-Time Databases (Firebase Realtime Database): For storing time-series data, such as ride logs, battery usage, and rental history.
- Data Analytics Tools (AWS QuickSight): For analyzing data trends, optimizing battery life, and managing fleet performance for the rental service.
- Edge Computing: For processing data locally on the device, reducing latency, especially for critical functions like motor control and safety features.
Dashboard Development
- Frontend Technologies (React.js, Angular): For developing a web-based dashboard that allows administrators to manage the bicycle fleet, monitor usage, and handle maintenance schedules.
- Backend Technologies (Node.js, Python with Flask): For handling data processing, API integration, and user management.
- Data Visualization Libraries (D3.js, Chart.js): To create interactive dashboards that provide insights into fleet usage, user activity, and system health.
- WebSocket/Real-time Communication: For live updates on the dashboard, ensuring that data displayed is current and accurate.
Data Analytics and Machine Learning (DA & ML)
- Predictive Maintenance Algorithms: Using ML models to predict when a bike might need maintenance based on sensor data, reducing downtime and operational costs.
- User Behavior Analysis: Analyzing ride patterns, usage frequency, and user preferences to optimize bike availability and pricing models.
- Energy Optimization: Applying ML to optimize battery usage and regenerative braking efficiency based on riding patterns and terrain.
- Route Optimization: Using data analytics to suggest optimal routes for riders, considering factors like battery life, terrain, and traffic conditions.
- Anomaly Detection: Identifying unusual patterns in bike usage or sensor data to detect potential issues like theft, tampering, or malfunctions.
Testing and Quality Assurance
- Simulation Tools (Proteus): For simulating electronic circuits and verifying their functionality before hardware deployment.
- Mobile App Testing Tools (TestFlight): To ensure that the mobile app works seamlessly across different devices and platforms.
- Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: For testing the interaction between hardware and software in real-time, simulating different riding conditions.
- Field Testing: Deploying prototypes in real-world scenarios to test the integration, performance, and reliability of the smart device and rental system.
Manufacturing and Assembly
- PCB Design Software (Altium Designer): For designing the printed circuit boards that integrate all electronic components.(Outsourced)
- Surface Mount Technology (SMT): For assembling the PCBs with high precision, particularly important in mass production.
- 3D Printing and CNC Machining: For producing custom enclosures, battery mounts, and other mechanical parts that are durable and lightweight.
- Compliance Testing: Ensuring the device meets industry standards for safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and environmental durability (e.g., CE, UL certifications).
- PCB Printing: Outsourced
Deployment and Maintenance
- Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: For remotely updating the device’s firmware to add new features or fix issues without requiring physical access to the bicycles.
- User Documentation and Training: Providing detailed manuals, installation guides, and training materials for users and fleet managers to ensure proper operation and maintenance.
- Customer Support and Service: Offering ongoing support, maintenance services, and software updates to ensure the long-term reliability of the smart device and rental system.