Christian Abbott
Industrial Design
Final year project
Tether: Increasing Road Safety, Improving Dialogue Between Road Users [Read more]
Tether: Imagining the City Bike of the Future.
Re-imagined city bike of the future. Utilising ultrasonic depth-sensing technologies and a unique laser projection system, Tether is a bike like no other. A centrally mounted working attachment helped validate the concept before being presented as part of a future-thinking concept bike.
Unique Laser Projection
The projection changes in both pattern and colour based on proximity changes of other road users or by user input to encourage positive behaviours.
Introducing a new visual language...
The default circular state indicates a desire for space and changes shape and pattern depending on the proximity of surrounding road users. The orange “let’s connect” projection indicates an openness to ride in tandem with other cyclists.
“Let’s connect”
Tether encourages you to cycle in tandem with other cyclists through the “let’s connect” hexagon state. When the cyclist is nearby to another cyclist who is open to ride together, haptics within the handlebar would guide the cyclists within a safe distance of each other. The projections would change from orange to white to reflect this increase instability. Groups of cyclists riding in this way would have a greater sense of presence, therefore increasing their overall safety and awareness.
Sensing Handlebars
The handlebars consist of an innovative touch and force sensing surface which can be used to trigger various signals using both the rear light and the laser projection system.
Internals of Connected Handlebar
Displaying the concept as integral to a bike frame has helped show the concept as an exciting forward-thinking product, showing a potential glimpse into the future of cycling.
Sketch Ideation
Many concepts were explored throughout the project before deciding to mount the technologies within a unit towards the centre of the bike, eventually becoming part of the bike frame.
Testing of the Working Prototype
Testing of the functioning prototype on the streets of Loughborough enabled the collection of huge quantities of data and helped further understand the capability of the chosen technologies.
Christian Abbott
A curious mind with a passion for design, fascinated with the creative process and the way things work. A lover of the natural world; I spend my time outdoors as much as possible and believe that good design exists in harmony with nature.
Final year project
Tether: Increasing Road Safety, Improving Dialogue Between Road Users
Awards
Diploma of International Studies.
Work Experience
Design Internship,
Goya Design Studio, London.
Helping develop an innovative bike safety device, from initial research and sketching through to 3D CAD and Arduino prototyping.
Product Design Internship,
Atelier 522 GmbH, Markdorf, Germany.
Working within a multidisciplinary design studio; helping model and render products within 3D environments.
6 month Erasmus exchange, Politecnico di Milano,
Integrated Product Design (MSc).