Startup develops wearable systems for road safety Photo by L. Brian Stauffer
Quick. Can you recall the correct hand signals used by cyclists to denote a left or right - turn? Even if you can, chances are those motions aren't that clear if you're driving a car in traffic. With that in mind and the fact that about 40 percent of vehicle-bicycle accidents occur at intersections, a group of University of Illinois engineering students are developing an innovative way for motorists to clearly detect which direction a cyclist is turning. The group, under the auspices of a startup called Actif, whose mission is promote an active lifestyle, is developing a wearable system for those who share the road with vehicles, whether they be cyclists, runners or walkers that is both functional and fashionable. One of the company's founders, Alex Lee, notes that while much of bicycle safety, like a helmet for example, is focused on post-accident survival, this technology could help prevent the accident altogether. "In a collision between flesh and metal, metal will always win," he said. One of the main features is a set of LED lights that act as turn signals.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
