What to do for my master thesis?

[waxi]

Ave!

You guys seems to be full of great ideas and now I would like you to help me figure out what to do for my master thesis. I'm studying informatics (programming) just FYI. I'm banging my head against the wall for last few months and it's still . What I want to do is something practical, innovative and usefull. For sure it can be motorcycle-safety-related. Something with Raspberry Pi maybe. I was thinking about adaptive headlight for motorcycle but maybe this is a little bit to big for me.

Any other ideas? What do you miss on a bike? What technological gadget would enhance driver's safety?

Thanks in advance... 

[luthier]

Just having fitted security cams round my house I'm in security mode.
And you did mention security.
So how about a dedicated bike alarm that also has a spycam that sends alert emails and actual real time snaps if the bike is being messed with?
It's probably already available but I haven't heard.
The app for home is 365SECU but I found that impossible to download from google searches as every site was full of scams.
However I did get it from Winplus who are the agents for my cams.

Perhaps a motorcycle application would be a new thing if you're quick.

[waxi]

Eh, I used the wrong word. Security instead of safety I've edited my initial post...

Thanks luthier, I've been thinking of that also because many people mess with my bike when parked for example outside a bar. Apparently they like my V7 :)

[tool flinger]

What do you miss on a bike?  What technological gadget would enhance driver's safety?

I'm not sure this would be a good programming project but as a rider safety enhancement I'd love to see an aftermarket self cancelling turn signal module.  I had self cancelling signals on my '84 V65 Sabre years ago and they worked great.  I do miss them on my Guzzi.

I wonder how many accidents have occurred due to riders forgetting to cancel a turn signal?  I bet quite a few.

[flip]

How about some kind of rear end collision early warning? The equipment and software on new cars that detects an impending collision and applies the brakes should be similar to what you would need for the project. We should all be watching our mirrors at a stop light or stop sign but I know I don't all of the time.

[waxi]

How about some kind of rear end collision early warning? The equipment and software on new cars that detects an impending collision and applies the brakes should be similar to what you would need for the project. We should all be watching our mirrors at a stop light or stop sign but I know I don't all of the time.

Well, you certainly got my attention. Lidar can be used to "radar" what is happening behing you when you are at stop light. If object is moving more than specified, brake light starts to flash quickly. How about that? Doable, very doable.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Well, you certainly got my attention. Lidar can be used to "radar" what is happening behing you when you are at stop light. If object is moving more than specified, brake light starts to flash quickly. How about that? Doable, very doable.

That sounds like something, I'm paranoid about being hit from the rear
Flash the rear light and sound the horn to warn the rider.

[JJ]

How about some kind of rear end collision early warning? The equipment and software on new cars that detects an impending collision and applies the brakes should be similar to what you would need for the project. We should all be watching our mirrors at a stop light or stop sign but I know I don't all of the time.

This is a great idea! :1:

[Pisano]

Moving aerodynamic Wings.

MotoGP is getting rid of Aero wings but why not put them on production bikes?  Go one step further and make them moving depending on speed, acceleration lean angle etc.

Who knows , maybe Guzzi will fire up the old wind tunnel for you.   

[flip]

Well, you certainly got my attention. Lidar can be used to "radar" what is happening behing you when you are at stop light. If object is moving more than specified, brake light starts to flash quickly. How about that? Doable, very doable.

And perhaps a flashing light near the instrument panel which could suggest moving.

[flangeman_70]

Well, you certainly got my attention. Lidar can be used to "radar" what is happening behing you when you are at stop light. If object is moving more than specified, brake light starts to flash quickly. How about that? Doable, very doable.

Hi Waxi,

Arduino could be a good starting point. Basic starter kits come with proximity sensors and plugging in extra units e.g. GPS is a synch. Using FM is probably the way to go for rate of change measurement of the approaching vehicle. GPS versus Wheel speed for the motorcycle with inputs from brakes throttle and possible engine speed
There is plenty of info for code which is C++ and I think an early warning rear collision system is a real possibility.

Best of luck!

[dl.allen]

Work with Beetle and guzzidag for a slick fuel mapping app for android

[Scud]

Congratulations on getting to this point in your program. The best thesis or dissertation is one that you can realistically complete. Don't try to do your "life's work" at this point.

That being said, I really like the idea of sensing an object approaching from the rear and giving an appropriate warning to the rider and to the approaching driver. I think there are statistics about the number of rear-impacts on stopped motorcycles - which would have to be part of your literature review.

I would also be thinking about patentability of this idea if I were you. A combination of current technologies in a novel way can qualify for patent protection.

I wonder if this rear-encroachment warning can also be provided while in motion - so any object within x distance at x speed gets warned. (see recent thread re getting rid of tailgaters for other options and concerns about other drivers reactions to flashing brake lights.)

[rodekyll]

How about a heads-up (HUD)  GPS/nav dashboard display that's viewable 24/7, scalable, and able to display custom data fields (say oil pressure input from a std vdo sender/thermocouple/tach pickup? 

[atavar]

Hey, if you do the rear looking lidar thing make sure and put the indicators in the mirrors.  The split seconds saved by not having to figure out what is going on and then change view to behind could save a life. 

[Sheepdog]

How about an air pressure meter that would feed information to a servo-operated windshield vent pursuant to achieving ideal laminar flow around the rider. Done right, the still air envelope could be managed perfectly...

[Tom]

I did mine on the Harley-Davidson Corporation for business.  I think you're looking in the area that you should be in.  When it hits you it'll make sense.  Good luck.

[atavar]

OK, I'm liking this rear looking LIDAR idea more and more..  another suggestion for it would be to strobe the brake and directionals to maybe prevent a rear end collision. 

[OlDogface]

If I were sitting at a busy intersection and the bike beneath me started blinking and beeping - without my input - I would probably have a heart attack and think my bike was critically broke. I wouldn't be looking behind me, I would be looking down.

So, maybe something a little bit more subtle...blinking idiot light?

[Mark Harpell]

And perhaps a flashing light near the instrument panel which could suggest moving.

Or a small LED in each mirror, in an upper corner..just enough to get your attention....

[centauro]

How about a comparative study on the effectiveness of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course in the US,versus what equivalent training is offered in a country of your choice?

There should be lots of data available to test your hypothesis both here and in the country you choose.

Best wishes for your graduation.

[pete mcgee]

Waxi,
An idiot sensor that warns you of low IQ in vicinity and deploys a blue flashing light.
The blue flashing light around here seems to improve IQ and driving ability, also makes your motorcycle highly visible as their hip pocket nerve bites them in the arse and wakes them up, gets them off the phone and greatly improves their situational awareness.
Sorry I couldn't resist.

Motorcycle safety, you've chosen a difficult subject the safetycrats over here have an answer, a total ban and they are slowly chipping away to that end.
I like centauros idea, so I'll second his approach.
Good luck with the thesis.

[OlDogface]

Here's a Master's level question - why does a person in most of the US have to spend many hours in both classroom and behind the wheel training to operate a car but can in many places legally operate a motorcycle that has a higher HP to weight ratio than a NASCAR vehicle after passing a 10 minute written test?

I know laws differ among the states but, overall, I think getting a motorcycle license/permit in the US is too easy.

[Devildog]

Try looking at the Skene Lights website. Their programmable flicker technology seems to work and might be a good starting point for developing something more high tech.

[drums4money]

I had a near miss on the way to work Friday.  Driver was camping out behind a semi for a good long while as I approached in the passing lane.  With no signal, the @-whole moves left within two bike lengths.  It was a pucker moment for me that I hadn't had in quite a while.  I was paying attention, but the driver was oblivious.  I certainly could've benefited from some technology that would alarm inside the automobile that would startle the crap out of someone if they attempt a lane change while they're being overtaken by another vehicle. 

I know the goose is picked up by the blind-spot monitoring of vehicles since I see the indicator on their side-view mirror illuminate as I go by. . . this time, however, the creep asleep at the wheel didn't check any mirrors.

"Active lane departure warning while being overtaken."

[waxi]

Guys, we were having grape harvest (I think that's how it's called in English), so didn't have time to reply to each and every one of you.

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

All your ideas are great, now I just to have pick one. Lidar is really interesting. I'll dig into the literature to see how this could be done. Let's go step by step. Devildog, thanks for Skene Lights information. It will be much easier to use this controller than figuring out current motorcycle wiring shema.

[sturgeon]

Devildog, thanks for Skene Lights information. It will be much easier to use this controller than figuring out current motorcycle wiring shema.

I think you just passed one important hurdle in the journey towards your thesis. That being, not trying to re-invent the wheel.

As for motorcycle safety, my long-held dream is being able to mount front- and rear-facing mini rocket launchers a.la. Chuck Norris. Probably impractical, but a guy can dream.

[atavar]

Or a small LED in each mirror, in an upper corner..just enough to get your attention....

This is exactly why I was thinking a blinkin light on the mirrors to draw your eye would be best.  Coupled with rear pointing see me strobes.

[waxi]

Hi guys

Just wanted to post a little update on how this little thing goes. Find pictures below
Basically I have put together a little controller with Arduino Mega, accelerometer and lidar from Garmin. Display is used to interact with user. It's still work in progress but so far so good. I have 4 relays ready to alert sleepy driver behind: "Hey, I am here, you jacka**!"

Will keep you posted ;)

[LowRyter]

some great ideas here.