Photo credit: Maitane Iruretagoyena
The MIT Media Lab City Science group realizes the issue with autonomous bicycles is keeping it balanced, so tricycle mode was integrated when the rider dismounts. It transitions using two linear actuators that separate and rejoin the wheels as needed. Two electric motors propel the bike when in autonomous mode: a hub motor up front and a second motor for steering.
Summoning the bicycle is easy as opening an app and requesting it. It will then drive autonomously to the user and after the trip is complete, the bike will autonomously ride to its next user or stop to power up at a charging station.
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The MIT Autonomous Bicycle Project proposes that autonomous bicycles could serve as an alternative to current bike sharing models. Docked bike systems frequently have problems rebalancing their fleets. There is often an imbalance in commuting patterns: for example everyone rides inbound at one time of day, and everyone rides outbound at another time of day,” said the team.
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