TAKI

Research Synthesis

In countries such as Italy and Vietnam, without motorcycles and mopeds filtering through the streets, traffic would come to a standstill. The motorbike has the potential to be a quick commuter alternative. Though, safety must increase.

Findings

Motorcycles are narrow and have a positive influence on traffic congestion.

Motorcycles are small. They reduce travel times for themselves and others, and offer significant advantages when looking for a parking space.

The travel costs and secondary maintenance costs, such as tax and insurance, are cheaper than those of a car.

Their dimensions allow motorcycles to filter through rows of vehicles, enabling them to move faster, especially in urban traffic.

Concept Developement

Suburban and urban traffic requires unique human-motorbike interactions. An Adaptive System enhances visibility and maneuverability in slow-moving traffic, and optimizes geometry for reduced wind resistance and improved handling on fast transit routes. In addition, 360° sensors combined with a Responsive System support the rider in dense urban traffic and complex situations.

a diagram of the adaptive and responsive system and their hierarchy

Adaptive System: Changing Geometry

an image with different seating positions for different transit areas

In slow suburban areas the rider sits upright for a better view and higher maneuverability. In transit sections, higher speeds and changing posture lead to a flatter geometry - the rider sits more “inside the motorbike”. Slow speeds downtown lead again to an upright posture.

Prototyping

The changing geometry of handlebar, seat and footpegs is tested in a functional prototyp setup. A LIDAR sensor perceives changes in body posture, i.e. leaning forward, which initiates the change.

a gif where the Sensor is located and in which direction it detects the changing posture of the rider

a gif showing the mechanical change of the kinematic ergonomics

Callibrating the Arduino LIDAR sensor.

Sensor location where former gas tank was located.

Digital prototyping and testing of kinematic ergonomics.

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Responsive System: Stabilize & React

The battery, a moving counterweight, stabilizes the motorcycle at low speeds and keeps it upright - the rider can concentrate on the surrounding traffic. Any intervention by the system is mirrored to the inside of the rider‘s thighs through tactile feedback. This communication through touch is similar to the interaction between horse and rider.

this image shows the process chain of the responsive systems operation

Evaluative Research

Slow speeds require attention and an advanced technique. Standing upright allows one to move even slower through traffic. The disadvantage: The view is fixed close to the front wheel, and the rider tends to focus permanently on keeping his balance. Hence, supporting the rider during slow speeds increases his situational awareness.

Horse Metaphor

The responsive system is based on the principle of cooperative automation, like human-horse interaction. The motorbike works as a bidirectional system: It automatically stabilizes during slow speeds and informs through discrete analog communication, such as tactile feedback.

an image of me, sitting on our hours as a kid

Like horseback riding - this system emphasizes the physical loop between rider and motorbike. Frank O. Flemish's NASA Research Paper and my own experience as a nine year old boy (image above) led to the development of a Prototype to test the haptic feedback loop.

Prototyping & Testing

This prototype mimics the haptic communcition loop. The battery acts as a balancing counterweight and its stabilising movemnt is felt throughout the riders thighs.