Bicycle-automobile collision avoidance system in development - how much would you pay?

At present, I am developing a sophisticated device and smartphone app that aims to dramatically reduce dooring incidents and other motor vehicle-bicycle collisions. While it could take a few million dollars to fully develop, the cost per life saved would be reasonable.

My question to the Chainlik community, is "how much would you pay for a small device mounted on your handlebars that would alert drivers to your existing and predicted location?" It would also come with a smartphone app, where the phone could be anywhere on your person.

This application would notify drivers in advance their opening a car door in your path. Additionally, it could give all drivers better situational awareness to bicycles in their vicinity.  In London for example, many recent cycling deaths have been attributed to collisions with medium sized trucks where drivers just don't see the cyclist. 

Note, I am NOT trying to selling anything to the group, but I need an approximate idea on what people would pay for such technology. Assume the driver app would be free or sold at a very modest price. 

 

It is difficult for me to provide further technical details/limitations, so this request is intentionally vague.  As a consumer, I would have a million questions about the device and its efficacy. However, i can't divulge additional details.

 

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 18, 2014 at 6:03am

maybe I am missing the obvious here but (what else is new) - shouldn't you be asking CAR owners and not CYCLISTS ?

But either way - I (just my $.02 here) really do not support ANYTHING that requires a driver of a motor vehicle to be looking at their smartphone when they are behind the wheel of a car. Doesn't that just encourage them to break the law ???

Even if the app screamed out (loudly ?) "don't open your door...their is a cyclist approaching..."

Again...I think I am missing something huge here. Please clarify. If I were on this campaign; I think more education and awareness is what is needed. LOOK Chicago had a good thing going, I helped pass out flyers one day.

DHB

Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 18, 2014 at 6:04am

oooops sorry - this OP must be troll bait. or is it april fools day somewhere ????   LOL

Permalink Reply by Scott Pope on June 18, 2014 at 6:11am

The device may include additional technology to alert drivers without the driver having anything installed on their automobile or smartphone.  Drivers frequently use smartphones as navigation devices.

Generally, when a driver kills a cyclist or pedestrian, the driver rarely is charged unless that vehicle operator is intoxicated.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 18, 2014 at 6:33am

I agree with Dan that we don't need more reasons for a driver to check their phones. 

I also agree with rwein5 ... $0. Many people don't add anything to their cars and if the majority of drivers don't go out and get this system then what good is it for a biker to have the handlebar device?  

I don't think a good well designed system needs bikers to attach anything to their handlebars. I've been seeing blind spot warning systems on a few car commercials lately. I believe it's an audible noise combined with a flashing light from the side view mirror or something like that. The car just needs to keep the system active until the car is locked. That way a driver gets an automatic warning along with a flash from their mirror when it's not safe to open their door. Also a warning if they're about to change lanes and a biker is in their blind spot. A system such as this should come standard on cars in the same way that airbags are now standard. 

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 18, 2014 at 6:45am

I would pay about zero dollars.

Permalink Reply by Scott Pope on June 18, 2014 at 6:49am

Two points.  

1) Drivers don't necessarily have to check their phones or even have a phone for certain components of the technology.  The question then goes back to cost where layers of different technology and expense borne entirely by the cyclist must pay for the greater sophistication in the absence of driver participation.

2)  Driver participation -- the cost will be negligible and there is data on where most cyclists are killed so there are ways to marketing to certain niches of the driving public .  Ultimately, cars will have greater sensor technology and post-purchase apps avalaible that tie into the vehicle's navigation (i.e. think Tesla).

Permalink Reply by Eli on June 18, 2014 at 6:55am

This application would notify drivers in advance their opening a car door in your path.

Every car sold in America is equipped with just such a device, the side mirror. Doorings happen when drivers disregard the information it provides. Creating a new device to provide the same information seems to me to be solving the wrong problem.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 18, 2014 at 7:03am

Data on where cyclists are hurt or worse sounds like it would be more useful to market to cyclists rather than drivers. There are certain niches of the driving public that don't want to share the road with bikes or pedestrians so you would have to force them to participate. I repeat any system should come as standard. I'll add that it should do so in order to have a chance at successful adoption by a large enough percentage of the driving public. Even if it's free I'll bet most drivers wouldn't be bothered to install it. 

It's really sad (not your fault!) that people pay so little attention to their surroundings that warning systems need to be engineered. But if you want to market to drivers then I suggest commercials such as this one. I love that the lady flings her door open only to lean over into the passenger seat. 

Scott Pope said:

2)  Driver participation -- the cost will be negligible and there is data on where most cyclists are killed so there are ways to marketing to certain niches of the driving public .  Ultimately, cars will have greater sensor technology and post-purchase apps avalaible that tie into the vehicle's navigation (i.e. think Tesla).

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on June 18, 2014 at 7:50am

Aren't most smartphone gps pretty inaccurate? At best they're accurate to 3 meters. The last time I use my "find your iPhone" app it told me my phone was in the adjacent apartment building...

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on June 18, 2014 at 7:59am

The cattle moving industry should just redesign their vehicles along with autonomous driving systems so the sheeple can spend more quality time with their smartphones.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 18, 2014 at 8:17am

+ 999

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

The cattle moving industry should just redesign their vehicles along with autonomous driving systems so the sheeple can spend more quality time with their smartphones.

Permalink Reply by Davo on June 18, 2014 at 9:30am

I would have an air horn mounted on my bike to alert motorists of me being there. I wish you luck in your endeavor but don't understand how an app would do any better. Especially when it is something that a motorist would willingly have to download.

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