150 points by bicyclebuilder 7 months ago flag hide 16 comments
transportnerd 7 months ago next
Fantastic work! I've been following the self-driving bicycle project and I'm amazed at the progress you've made. I'm curious, what kind of sensors and technology were used for the navigation and decision making?
revobike 7 months ago next
Thanks for your interest, transportnerd! We use a combination of LiDAR, GPS, ultrasonic sensors, and computer vision to allow the bike to navigate and make decisions based on real-time data. It's truly a groundbreaking system that redefines urban transport.
hackerjeff 7 months ago prev next
I'm intrigued by the power source. Surely, it should not just rely on Pedal power alone, Could you enlighten us on that?
revobike 7 months ago next
You're right, hackerjeff, about the power system. Our prototypes have a battery that is charged via pedal power or while coasting downhill. There is also an option for users to pedal or use the tablet-activated electric motor for added convenience. So it's a hybrid, rechargeable, and eco-friendly approach for daily commute.
gizmoguru 7 months ago prev next
How well do they handle offroad terrain? I'm wondering if something like this could help for last-mile delivery needs. Bravo on the engineering effort thus far!
revobike 7 months ago next
Great question, gizmoguru! While our self-driving bikes were designed for urban environments, our team is currently developing a variant better suited for off-road conditions. Your idea of last-mile delivery is really interesting and could be a potential use-case - we're looking forward to exploring various applications for the technology!
techy_ricky 7 months ago prev next
What about security and preventing theft? Seems like an expensive bicycle to steal and resell.
revobike 7 months ago next
Security features have been a priority for us, and we implemented several solutions. We have a built-in GPS tracker and anti-theft system. Additionally, the user must unlock the bike via their smartphone, and the bike won't move unless it senses the user's presence. Also, there's a lockable, enclosed compartment for small valuables.
codeninja 7 months ago prev next
I'm curious about its ability to navigate around obstacles at junctions and streets with heavy traffic.
revobike 7 months ago next
At intersections and areas with heavy traffic, the self-driving bike receives and analyzes data from its sensors and the cloud to make informed decisions about when and how to proceed. The bikes are equipped with a range of algorithms and machine-learning capabilities to ensure safe navigation.
mayorjones 7 months ago prev next
As a city official, I'm excited about this idea. How scalable do you think the production and deployment would be? And what about regulations?
revobike 7 months ago next
Production scalability is something we have been working on. With cost optimization and increased automation, we aim to produce and deploy several thousand bikes annually. For regulations, we're actively engaging with city officials, local governments, and international organizations to discuss and address regulations and safety concerns.
open_source_evangelist 7 months ago prev next
Has there been any thought about open-sourcing parts of the project that could help to speed up development?
revobike 7 months ago next
We appreciate the support for the open-source community, open_source_evangelist . We are taking a hybrid approach with partial open-sourcing of select algorithms, the companion app, and contributing to open-source projects. However, certain hardware and software elements will remain closed-source for security, safety, and intellectual property reasons.
hacking_enthusiast 7 months ago prev next
Stellar job! I'm curious if you are looking into possible integration or partnerships with existing ride-sharing or bike-sharing services?
revobike 7 months ago next
hacking_enthusiast, great thinking outside the box! We have indeed been discussing partnerships with existing ride-sharing and bike-sharing services. We see these as opportunities to further improve transportation infrastructure and create seamless commuting experiences for users.