A self-balancing autonomous bicycle is a type of bike that is equipped with sensors, algorithms, and other technologies that enable it to maintain balance and stability on its own, without requiring the rider to manually balance or steer the bike.
This is typically accomplished through the use of motors or other actuators that apply forces to the bike’s wheels or frame in order to keep it upright and moving in the desired direction. Some self-balancing autonomous bicycles may also be equipped with features such as GPS navigation and obstacle avoidance, allowing them to operate autonomously in a variety of environments.
Chinese Engineer and Youtuber Builds Self-Balancing Autonomous Electric Bicycle in Spare Time
A smart hardware engineer named Zhi Hui Jun got tired of worrying about falling off his bike, so he built one that can avoid obstacles and keep itself balanced, Gizmodo says.
The engineer worked on the bike project in his spare time for four months. He made a self-balancing bike with sensors called an accelerometer and a gyroscope that allow the front wheel to quickly adjust and change direction if the bike is going to fall.
The system makes just the right amount and direction of angular momentum to keep the bike from falling.
Impressively, the bike’s motion in Zhi Jui Jun’s video (embedded below) is actually quite smooth, and it doesn’t look like it gives the rough ride we expected when we first heard about the project. The almost imperceptible changes made to the bike’s balance make it feel like it’s being ridden by a ghost.
Zhi Hui Jin made an automatic control system for obstacle detection and avoidance system. It uses a custom perception and control algorithm linked to the sensors and a chip.
Watch the full process of building the bike by clicking on the image below
Benefits of Self-Balancing Autonomous Bicycle
There are several potential benefits to using a self-balancing autonomous bicycle:
Improved safety:
Because the bike is able to maintain balance on its own, the risk of falling or crashing is reduced, making it safer to ride.
Increased convenience:
With a self-balancing bike, you don’t have to worry about manually balancing or steering, which can make it easier and more convenient to ride.
Enhanced mobility:
Autonomous bikes may be able to operate in a variety of environments and conditions, which could make them a more versatile and convenient mode of transportation.
Reduced fatigue:
Riding a bike can be physically demanding, especially for long periods of time. With a self-balancing bike, the burden of maintaining balance and steering is lifted, which can make it more comfortable to ride.
Increased accessibility:
Self-balancing bikes may be particularly useful for people who have difficulty balancing or steering a traditional bike, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
Self-balancing bike specs
A report by Synced says that Zhi Hui Jun made some of the parts for his bicycle with the help of 3D printing and machine tools.
In addition to the accelerometer and gyroscope, the bike has two brushless motors, a steering gear, an RGBD depth camera, and a LiDAR sensor, which is the same thing that self-driving cars use to sense their surroundings.
The bike also has a 6S model power lithium battery. This battery lasts for about three hours.
Zhi Jui Jun graduated from the China University of Electronic Science and Technology in 2018. Since then, he has worked at the smartphone company Oppo and built a fan base on YouTube with videos about his inventions.
The self-balancing bike is a great example of how creative engineering students and young engineers just out of school can be. Another recent example is a group of Duke University students who built an all-electric monowheel.
In theory, Zhi Jui Jun’s self-balancing bike should work with a person on it, but no one is shown riding it in Jui Jun’s video. It would be interesting to see how the bike would steer and stay balanced with the added weight of a person on top. Stay in the know about any “piloted” tests that might happen in the future.
Can anybody ride Self-Balancing Autonomous Bicycle?
In general, self-balancing autonomous bicycles are designed to be easy to ride and accessible to a wide range of users. However, it is always important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use caution when operating any type of vehicle.
