Ever wondered what would happen if bicycles could think for themselves?
Well, this week, MIT researchers released apaperexploring the potential impacts of an autonomous bike fleet oncity mobility.
The MIT Autonomous Bicycle a multi-year project explores on-demand bike sharing.
Wait, how the heck does an autonomous bike work?
The researchers have designed a wheel mechanism that provides two different configurations.
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When in use, the bicycle mode allows the experience to be the same as riding a regular two-wheeler.
The researchers also believe that with automation, fleets could be smaller to meet the same demand.
The autonomous model can provide overall improved performance and user experience even with no rebalancing.
The increased efficiencies would cover the additional cost of the technology.
However, the downside to automation inmicromobility fleetsis that it may take away some of the spontaneity.
It could work well for those that locate an escooter via an app in the first instance.
But will spontaneous riders be willing to wait for their bike to come to them?
I think theres a more substantial use case in escooters.
The case for autonomous escooters
In many cities, micromobility operators aredevelopingtech to stop illegal parking.
For example, some places in Germany want to restrict escooters toparking baysto reduce them blocking the sidewalk.
Automation could keep escooters on the move from passenger to passenger.
Furthermore, vehicles could driveautonomouslyto charging stations.
Imagine an escooter (or ebike) that could diagnose a problem and take itself off for a repair?
The simulation framework developed by MIT is admittedly a work in progress.
But it could be a great starting point for city mobility planning in general.
The more tools involved in effectively anticipating these changes, the more precise planning can be.
This helps make cities livable, equitable, sustainable, and resilient.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
