DIY bike signals with accelerometer control

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By Collin Cunningham
Posted 2009/03/11 @ 2:36 am
Category Arduino, Fun & Games

From MAKE subscriber Justin Shaw comes the UberLight – a dual LED matrix bicycle turn signal an brake light. An interesting design using accelerometer to determine braking, plus basic switches for indicating turns. The project uses an Arduino in combination with a couple of serial-controlled red/green matrices. Riding with this setup should get some much-needed attention from nighttime drivers. For more info, check out the schematic and source code.

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5 Responses to DIY bike signals with accelerometer control

Rob Bain on March 11th, 2009 at 7:43 am said:

Can someone check this link? According to the link the product you are trying to view is no longer made

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Collin Cunningham on March 11th, 2009 at 8:15 am said:

thanks, Rob – updated

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anachrocomputer on March 11th, 2009 at 8:17 am said:

Back in the 1970s, I had a mechanical, manually-operated bike turn signal/rear-light unit. It was illuminated by a small bulb and showed a red rear light plus a moveable amber turn signal in the shape of an arrow. The arrow could be swung out left or right by a hand control on the handlebars, which was connected via a brake-cable type arrangement. I wish I still had it! My father made a bracket to fit it on the rear of a pedal-driven go-kart.

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Stephen on March 11th, 2009 at 12:52 pm said:

The main flaw I can see with this is that it’s not a turn signal, this is just a visual notification. You’ve already done the action that’s being reported – you’ve slowed down or you’ve turned and the people behind you have had no extra warning. You need to get all the signalling out of the way a little bit in advance so that people around you know what you’re about to do.

Otherwise it’s clearer that you’re turning by the fact you’re already turning than it is by the little LED panel.

It’s a great concept but unless you fit it to a time machine that works ten seconds into the future the cars around you will still prefer you sticking an arm out.

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Collin Cunningham on March 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm said:

@Stephen – The turn signals seem to be switch activated same as cars. Cars also don’t turn on brake lights until the driver begins pressing the pedal – the accelerometer turns on brake lights when it detects deceleration. That being said, I’d still welcome the addition of a 10-second-time-machine

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