Author: Adnan Dembele
Advisor: Kevin Crowthers
Category: First Year – Mass Academy
Abstract: Global warming is a worldwide issue that many people are trying to address. One way that people approach it is by reducing their carbon footprint by riding their bicycles instead of driving. An issue with riding bicycles is how to protect them when they are not enclosed on property. The answer is to lock them around a bike rack using a bike lock. Unfortunately, these locks are hard to use, transport, require too much effort from users, and do not secure bicycles properly. The purpose of this project is to develop an autonomous bicycle lock using Arduino, RFID, motors, and a solenoid, that will lock and unlock the bicycle for the rider, and be easier to transport, to make bike locks more efficient and secure. To achieve this, prototypes for each part of the mechanism were built out of cardboard, tested, and analyzed. The parts that performed the best were incorporated into the final design. The result of this project is a bicycle lock that took 1/5 of the time to use, and was to transport, by taking ½ of the space of the average U-lock when unlocked. This lock could help every single bicycle rider lock and unlock their bicycles to make them safe in public spaces. Future research and improvements to this device include making the lock helmet-controlled to prevent riders from forgetting their “key”, incorporating a pedaling-based rechargeable system, a theft detection system, and a tracking system.
UN SDGs:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
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