The Bike Buddy is a senior design project which enhances the experience of riding a bicycle, and is inspired by today’s increasing cost of energy. It features an electric AC generator which powers onboard electronics through a system of lithium-ion batteries. The devices being powered by this system include a graphical LCD, GPS receiver, USB plug in (with charging capabilities), a temperature sensor, and a microcontroller. The LCD monitor displays the following: geo-location, rider velocity and direction, ambient temperature, time of day, power being generated by the rider pedaling the bike, and the charge state of the lithium-ion batteries. The objective of the project is to efficiently charge lithium ion batteries via the electric AC generator, while maintaining complete operation of the onboard peripheral devices.
Sponsored by Progress Energy.