Description

The TU Delft Bicycle Lab, Bosch eBike Systems, and Gazelle developed the Balance Assist Bicycle. We have demonstrated that it reduces undesired motion in response to perturbations and reduces the probability of falling when perturbed at the handlebars, yet many riders have indicated they do not like the haptic feeling of the steering. The bicycle stabilizes itself, but this stabilization may be best deactivated when the rider turns or the haptic forces felt by the rider should be tuned to match the feeling of a bicycle riders are comfortable with. This thesis project would develop a method of improving the feel of the balance assist system without degrading its safety enhancement. Possible methods are developing rider intention detection or applying model-matching control. This method would be tested on human subjects to gage their subjective feeling of the handling of the vehicle in typical bicycle maneuvers. This position will have the opportunity to spend some time at Bosch eBike Systems in Reutlingen, Germany.

Balance assist bicycle