START UP - PRODUCT DESIGN, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PROTOTYPING, Animation
Gyroscopic self steering training wheel
The brief -
This product uses a gyroscopic effect to automatically steer the bicycle in a straight line, if the bike leans to one side the gyroscope automatically turns the handlebar to steer into the opposite direction. This means the child learning to ride a bicycle can be guided to steer.
Our client had been a distributor of the original product invented by American university, and had decided to develop it's further as the original manufacturer had ceased to trade.
The original product had problems, our task was to overcome these issues and developed a consumer friendly product in a very short timescale.
Issues to be addressed in the new design.
Reduce the weight, increase the runtime, durability of manufacture, improve performance, give features that would be useful after the initial training period had been successful.
Key insights -
Controlling the motor and choice of motor were critical in the success of the project. Using the minimum amount of power during the training period while having the maximum speed possible had been the target, however we were trying to spin a very heavy flywheel at start-up this put enormous strain on the motor. This problem had been why the original design had failed due to its transmission system and Motor choice.
The client wanted new features for the product, we added a speaker and buttons that will allow the child to choose the sound effects he wanted during his like ride (Dinosaur roaring, motorbike, horns,)
The Solution -
We developed two sizes 12 and16 inch. Working prototypes.
New frame design for a Childs bicycle. Supporting material for launch on kickstarter. Final 3d for tooling.
