A Taiwanese university research team has developed a sensor system that significantly improves the safety and comfort of cyclists, but is compact enough to fit on a bicycle’s handlebars.
The system collects a wide range of data — on temperature, humidity, ultraviolet rays and air quality — and then processes it, issuing warnings or suggestions to the cyclist.
For example, the sensor system is able to flash a signal or “speak” in Chinese to remind the cyclist to ride in the shade when the weather is too hot, said associate professor Chang Hsien-chung, who led the research team.
It can even spray mist over the cyclist’s face and torso to cool him or her down, or issue warnings when air quality is poor, Chang added.
These functions could be especially useful in places like Taiwan, where cyclists are easily worn down by strong ultraviolet rays and sweltering heat in the summer, Chang said.
The sensor system also helps users navigate safely at night. It comes with a special vest for the rider to wear equipped with flashing LED lights that indicate whether the cyclist is turning right or left, braking or slowing down.
If the system’s ultrasonic distance sensor detects an approaching car at night, it sets off the flashing LED lights as a warning to the motorist, Chang said.
The system comes with two small batteries which store power from sunlight and the friction created when pedaling, he added.
The system, which won a merit award from a Ministry of -Education-sponsored micro-computer research and development competition, is awaiting a patent from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chang said.
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
NUMBERS IMBALANCE: More than 4 million Taiwanese have visited China this year, while only about half a million Chinese have visited here Beijing has yet to respond to Taiwan’s requests for negotiation over matters related to the recovery of cross-strait tourism, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwan’s tourism authority issued the statement after Chinese-language daily the China Times reported yesterday that the government’s policy of banning group tours to China does not stop Taiwanese from visiting the country. As of October, more than 4.2 million had traveled to China this year, exceeding last year. Beijing estimated the number of Taiwanese tourists in China could reach 4.5 million this year. By contrast, only 500,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Taiwan, the report said. The report
Temperatures are forecast to drop steadily as a continental cold air mass moves across Taiwan, with some areas also likely to see heavy rainfall, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. From today through early tomorrow, a cold air mass would keep temperatures low across central and northern Taiwan, and the eastern half of Taiwan proper, with isolated brief showers forecast along Keelung’s north coast, Taipei and New Taipei City’s mountainous areas and eastern Taiwan, it said. Lows of 11°C to 15°C are forecast in central and northern Taiwan, Yilan County, and the outlying Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties, and 14°C to 17°C
STEERING FAILURE: The first boat of its class is experiencing teething issues as it readies for acceptance by the navy, according to a recent story about rudder failure The Hai Kun (海鯤), the nation’s first locally built submarine, allegedly suffered a total failure of stern hydraulic systems during the second round of sea acceptance trials on June 26, and sailors were forced to manually operate the X-rudder to turn the submarine and return to port, news Web site Mirror Daily reported yesterday. The report said that tugboats following the Hai Kun assisted the submarine in avoiding collisions with other ships due to the X-rudder malfunctioning. At the time of the report, the submarine had completed its trials and was scheduled to begin diving and surfacing tests in shallow areas. The X-rudder,
RSS