Specialized Bicycles & Google: Innovate or Die Contest

This video was created for the Specialized/Google sponsored contest, Innovate or Die, to promote pedal-powered alternatives. I'm pretty sure that these kids from MIT stole our idea. :)

This video also conveniently takes a tour of my shop at CATEA, starting by the 3-axis mill and machine lathe, passing the woodworking area and materials bins, coasting by the electronics lab, and looping back by the wheelchair collection.s

Text from the video
We're collecting the kinetic energy dissipated through suspension travel to power onboard electronics such as LED lighting and cellphone charging. By using a drawstring activated dynamo, similar to the pullstart on a lawnmower, a mechanical clutch engages the dynamo, which in turn charges a set of rechargeable batteries connected to a blinkie light.

While not specifically pedaling to create electricity, we're capturing the energy lost to suspension during the interaction of the bicycle and the environment. We all know the value of pedaling efficiency, and have experienced the frustration of using a regular friction dynamo to run a headlight. By setting the dynamo on the suspension of the bike rather than the wheels, we're harnessing a lost energy source rather than restricting precious forward energy.

The idea is to replace the fork's dampening system with a generator system that can convert mechanical kinetic energy into electrical potential. In our example, We're using the fork's rebound to pull the string enagaging the dynamo and the compression to reset the system to neutral. One benefit of this setup as a final product would be the integration of the electrical generation system within the mechanical dampening system inside the fork, for a clean all inclusive solution.

Video filmed and edited with Mark Duckworth.