A Low-Cost Wearable Autonomous System for the Protection of Bicycle Users

A bicycle is a form of transport that not only positively impacts the health of users, and the general population by reducing pollution levels but also constitutes an accessible and affordable means of transport for developing societies. However, when coexisting with other forms of transport, the accident rate is elevated, and the risk is high. Among the factors contributing to accidents involving bicycles are collisions with motor vehicles. These accidents can occur when a motor vehicle maneuvers and does not see the bicycle or when a motorist drives distracted. These types of accidents can be avoided if cyclists and motorists are aware of the environment and respect traffic laws and safety regulations. This research aims to develop a low-cost autonomous electronic system that provides extra protection to bicycle users, particularly by making them visible to other road users on cloudy days or at night. The system uses a 32-bit processor with brightness and acceleration sensors that trigger visual alerts to both the bicycle user and possible nearby vehicles. It also monitors and logs the signals on a server for route evaluation. The laboratory successfully evaluated the prototype, demonstrating its autonomy and performance. The test results obtained demonstrate the system's capacity to provide extra protection, in addition to its robustness and accuracy.