Could Drone Escorts Make Cycling Safe?

A safer world is among the nascent promises of drone technology, and frog design, a nearly 40 year old design firm behind concepts ranging from the old-school Sony Walkman to South African HIV home testing kits, just unveiled a new line of drone concepts for safe living. They include: a drone that identifies avalanche risks, a drone that goes into a burning building to locate people, a drone to harvest fields, and a drone that follows you on your bike. Yes, a drone that goes for a ride with you.

The Cyclodrone would consist of a drone in front of the rider and a drone behind them, both keeping a safe distance. The drone would sync with their cell phone to monitor movements, and users would have to preprogram the route you’re taking so that the drone ahead knows where to go.

“Sensors in the drone maintain a safe distance from the rider using a combination of [infrared] sensors and WiFi connection strength,” the design outfit explains. “The large beacon on top creates a highly visible warning to cars for safer solo outings on narrow one-lane roads and a camera records dynamic video of each ride.”

The designers note that bike lights are hard to see during the day, so there is little to improve the visibility of a biker. A reflective vest in the midst of dense urban traffic can only go so far. A couple of drones floating above a rider's head might be the fix. In 2011, 677 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Bikes ride side by side with the often poorly-operated monsters of the road, cars and trucks, and danger is omnipresent.

Of course it sounds absurd to go biking with drones, at first, but this kind of technology takes getting used to. And anyone who’s met an avid biker knows that they would be more than happy to be able to get an HD recording of their favorite treks. Imagine being the star of your own personal Tour de France—every day.

The technology is still in its infancy, and frog is working on a way to make sure the drone wouldn’t run out of power on a long rides. One possibility is a generator that could be attached to the sprockets of the bike, providing a continuous charge. Riding a bike may be a testament to the continued use of old technology, but it seems it may be in line for an intensely futuristic adaptation.