Newbie here, I designed a product and need testers

Hi ladies and gentlemen,

My name is Sam and a while ago when I use to cycle I came up with a product. I made about 50 samples of the thing and never ever got round to testing them out. The idea went on the back burner and recently I went rummaging through my cupboards and I found them again and I thought to heck, why don't I hand them out to people and get them tested?

What I designed was a super cheap wristbands that indicates. When you hold your arm to indicate at a certain angle of tolerance and duration of time the indicators flash.

Its not amazing or revolutionary but seeing as they are just sitting there I would love to hear what real cyclists think. And perhaps actually produce the units if they are good enough or get someone off here to launch it with me. It will never make huge amounts of money but at the time, creating the project was a fun so the money was never really a thought.

As they are prototypes they are not massively pretty but as the lean start up model goes they are minimal viable products.

So if anybody would like to test them out or has feedback please be as harsh or as nice as possible. I'm London based so would like to give the units out personally.

2 Attachments

Also guys, the first image is how the 50 units all look. The second image is the first ever unit I designed.

are they free?

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interesting idea

The bloke who designed these made millions apparently...

http://www.xylobands.com/

Hi guys, yes of course all units are free!

If this were to ever go into production the aim would be to sell these for less than £5

What I designed was a super cheap wristbands that indicates. When you hold your arm to indicate at a certain angle of tolerance and duration of time the indicators flash.

Bit useless in the real world.

you hold your arm to indicate at a certain angle of tolerance

Hi Sam - what is this crucial angle? Does it have to be exact in order to activate the LEDs?

And what's the delivered light like with these?

Lastly, is that ^ red board ^ attached to the wristband?

a while ago when I use to cycle

Shame you don't cycle any more!

That's what testing is for, doofus.

I don't mind testing one but I can see with no lens type area over the leds and stuff being a bit exposed it would get bashed easily and the leds not be too visible to a driver behind. It might not look pretty or whatever but a chunky area where the leds are would probably be needed to make it work?

Also if it's 90 degrees(ish) would that mean if ever I ride on the drops it will start flashing?

This is a good idea.

And yet more device to wear because a normal hand signal is no longer enough.

There are some bar end lights just coming out that have indicators on them, personally I think lights on the wrist or hand is a better idea. Someone mentioned an argument recently they had with a cyclist who had a rear view mirror, who had decided his mirror meant he didn't need to look behind him so much. similar idiots might think indicators on their bars meant they didn't have to signal with their arms. So yes, an indicator on the hand is a good idea. My concerns:

Will they be bright enough to make a difference? Will they be hidden from sight by sleeves, or by holding your arm at the wrong angle? Will they be well waterproofed but not too bulky? Perhaps something on the back of the hand would be easier to position correctly?

I think button activation might be better than this angle of tolerance idea, more reliable. They might start turning on and off at inappropriate moments.

A freind of mine wears two small cheap LEDs on his hands, which flash constantly but also make his indicating more visible, so people have thought of this already. Interesting to see someone trying to make the idea into a product.

Ps yes I'll test some, but it would be better to wait till winter. I dont think these small lights will show up in daylight.

Indicator on wrist, mirror on bicycles, helmet, high-vs vest, air horn, etc.

Aren't we're going a little too far thinking those sort of thing are necessary?

All that's necessary for riding a bike is you and your bike. And some clothes, preferably, but I'm not that fussy. To make the experience better there's other things you can use. How far is too far? God knows, but a lot of safety stuff is as much for the rider as it is for the driver behind - if feeling psychologically safer makes you ride, all the better. Apart from mirrors. Anyone riding with a mirror is one of satan's minions.

Not sure this is a product I'd use, but from a technical point of view - would it be possible to have a basic accelerometer to activate it? So that a flick of the wrist out to the side would make it work, rather than the angle you hold your arm at. Mind you it might then be switched on by small bumps in the road.

Aren't we're going a little too far thinking those sort of thing are necessary?

I think we all just make individual choices depending on the risks we experience. There's no suggestion here that any of these things should be compulsory.

if feeling psychologically safer makes you ride, all the better.

The drawback is the lure sense of security thinking what you're wearing will make you safer, as opposed to riding in a manner that enable you to be seen properly by others.

Wearing a helmet make some people feel psychologically safer, but doesn't necessary mean you're actually safer.

Which beg the question of whether the person will feel more or less inclined to look behind before they signal, much like people who stopped looking behind after having a mirror on their bicycles.

a lot of safety stuff is as much for the rider as it is for the driver behind - if feeling psychologically safer makes you ride, all the better.

This, too.

If I feel more visible, I might ride more assertively and not hug the gutter.

Why would you ride more assertively if you already feel visible?

okay so some answers for you guys. It is made using 4 mercury sensors, that require 85 degree angle or more. I believe when I made it you had to hold it for something like 0.8 seconds. This I found worked really well. This is pretty much an analogue solution, in an ideal world you would choose a digital accelerometer and gyroscope.

The second image was the first one I ever made so hence the size, all the units I will hand out are like the first image. Again when I originally tested them the 2 LED's were adequate, if this were to go production, these would be much brighter.

These units are not fully water proof, but if you break them its okay. I do not mind, they are testers. If this was ever to go to production, I need to know things like, should I have different wrist sizes? is this more hassle then they are worth? do they properly activate? Would a jacket with indicators fit in be more effective? also guys remember that all of these units have been hand made.

Also when the arms are completely dropped and resting by your side, because of the analogue method chosen to activate the lights these units will flash. Is this going to be a serious issue?

If I were to choose a digital method of light activation, the cost would be nearer £30 for a set of wrist bands, would you still buy them?

My logic was, make them as cheap as possible so everyone anyone can use them and make it so they can be used in summer and winter and it must not tie you down to a particular style of clothing.