Cycling is an extremely enjoyable physical activity and a highly practical and economical means of transportation, particularly in cities. It has the potential to reduce traffic congestion, pollution and noise, whilst at the same time it can reduce our dependency on the car, improve health, reduce stress and improve the quality of life of millions of people.
Unfortunately, bikes can be an easy target to thieves...
In 2011, an estimated 533,000 bikes were stolen in the UK, i.e. one per minute!
This translates to one in six cyclists experiencing bike theft each year!
It has been estimated that 66% of victims cycle less often and 24% STOP altogether
Conventional approaches to locking bikes with cable & D locks are easily circumvented using bolt cutters and bottle jacks respectively.
R&D CORE took on the challenge to come up with a highly secure, convenient and modern bike lock solution for the modern city.
Solution space exploration
The most important requirement for any bike lock solution is to offer strong theft-resistance. Nonetheless, additional requirements must be considered, such as freeing up the cyclist from the burden of heavy locks and chains. The design has to be truly functional that can be both easy and a pleasure to use.
After analysing the deficiencies of all known bike, it became apparent there was a need for a paradigm shift. We started questioning certain underlying assumptions and eventually the potential of a bike stand concept emerged.
What IF we could design a bike stand that is highly secure, modern and very easy to use? How could such a design blend in a city environment without compromising the aesthetic balance of the area?
R&D CORE's solution
Our ATLAS solution independently secures the bike's frame & wheels and is locked and unlocked using a contactless smartcard or a modern NFC-enabled smartphone.
Specifically, the concept comprises of a central stand housing (Fig. 1), which contains the necessary control electronics and two shallow pavement troughs into which the wheels are rolled. The bike frame is locked by means of a hardened shackle lock integrated on the central stand, whilst the wheels are independently secured using horizontal lock bars integrated into the troughs.
The three independent locks have an intrinsically strong resistance to the common bike thief's tools and, in combination, they create a highly secure proposition.
Scenario of Use
As a cyclist arrives to lock his bike, he places the bike in the stand and registers himself with the system by touching his phone to the stand’s NFC reader (Fig. 2). This allows the bike to be locked and, importantly, provides a one-off digital key, enabling the cyclist to later unlock the bike.
The process of locking and unlocking a bike is simple: there are no heavy, inconvenient locks for the cyclist to carry and crucially no keys to lose nor codes to forget. This is all achievable using modern cryptographic protocols and can easily be realised in an App running on a cyclist’s phone. For those without an NFC enabled mobile, a contactless smartcard will function as an alternative drop-in replacement for the NFC mobile.
The ATLAS system can be deployed by city councils, local authorities and large organisations such as hospitals, universities and large employers.
Deployment:
The solution lends itself to integration with existing transportation infrastructure (for example, TfL's Oyster scheme). Ideally, to encourage cycling, the cost to the cyclist should be nominal. The long-term benefits to a city will far exceed the initial costs in installing & running such a scheme.
Future
R&D CORE has developed a highly advanced, confidential version of the above concept. If you have any inquiries or want to know more, please contact us at: info@rndcore.com
Despite the advent of high end, high resolution graphic displays, (segment) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) can be a preferred technology when component cost, ease of interface, low power and risk of obsolescence are of importance. A custom LCD requires an upfront investment to design the size, shape and position of the different segments. In addition, once the design is submitted for fabrication, the design can no longer change. With a tooling cost ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 (depending on the LCD size) and a lead time of 4+ months to receive the first parts, the design has to be perfect the first time, otherwise it can add a detrimental delay to the project's schedule.
Problem
How can someone rapid prototype the different design concepts and test them within the context of the target application so that the design cycle is shortened and the result is perfect before committing to the final order?
Solution:
R&D CORE has encountered the above problem and came up with a highly effective, low cost solution. After considering a few low-tech options, such as creating stencils (films with the segment areas cut out) and placing them on a light table, we quickly gravitated towards using a smart device, such as Apple's iPod Touch. The device was linked to a computer through the WiFi network and it was set up to reproduce the computer's desktop. The iPod was then placed inside a mock-up case to simulate the end product with a display window that matched the size of the target LCD. The experiments done with this setup ranged from evaluating the visibility of the segments from different distances to optimizing the exact placement and size of the segments to create a highly pleasing aesthetic result. In addition, we determined the level of brightness our LCD required to work in different environments and tested the need for, and the effect of, special anti-glare films, tinted display windows etc. Finally, we took the prototyping one step further and updated the iPod's display in real-time in response to the product's buttons to simulate and optimize the User Interface / Experience while we were waiting for the first production parts to arrive. Therefore, the lead time for the parts introduced no delay to our schedule. The above method allowed us to test multiple iterations of the LCD design in very short time and to continue with our development without having the actual LCD in our hands. Upon receiving the actual displays, their integration to the physical product was immediate and seamless.
Results
Thanks to this rapid prototyping method, R&D CORE created a highly organic font design that can be used on segment displays to replicate the visual quality of high end, high resolution displays. This work has resulted in R&D CORE obtaining four European Union Design Patents (No. 001354542-0001-0004). The designs are available for licensing; please, contact us for further details.
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2. Registered Trade Mark Notice
R&D CORE ®, DRAS ® and SOLEPAD ® are registered trademarks of R&D CORE Limited.
This Policy applies as between you, the User of this Website R&D CORE Limited the owner and provider of this Website. This Policy applies to our use of any and all Data collected by us in relation to your use of the Website.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
In this Policy the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Data”
means collectively all information that you submit to R&D CORE Limited via the Website. This definition shall, where applicable, incorporate the definitions provided in the Data Protection Act 1998;
“Cookie”
means a small text file placed on your computer by this Website when you visit certain parts of the Website and/or when you use certain features of the Website. Details of the cookies used by this Website are set out in Clause 12;
“R&D CORE”
means R&D CORE Limited a company registered in England and Wales under company number 7663306;
“UK and EU Cookie Law”
means the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 as amended by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011;
“User”
means any third party that accesses the Website and is not employed by R&D CORE and acting in the course of their employment; and
“Website”
means the website that you are currently using (www.rndcore.com) and any sub-domains of this site unless expressly excluded by their own terms and conditions.
2. Scope of this Policy
This Policy applies only to the actions of R&D CORE and Users with respect to this Website. It does not extend to any websites that can be accessed from this Website including, but not limited to, any links we may provide to social media websites.
3. Data Collected
Without limitation, any of the following Data may be collected by this Website from time to time:
3.1 name;
3.2 date of birth;
3.3 gender;
3.4 job title;
3.5 profession;
3.6 contact information such as email addresses and telephone numbers;
3.7 demographic information such as post code, preferences and interests;
3.8 financial information such as credit / debit card numbers;
3.9 IP address (automatically collected);
3.10 web browser type and version (automatically collected);
3.11 operating system (automatically collected);
3.12 a list of URLs starting with a referring site, your activity on this Website, and the site you exit to (automatically collected);
4. Our Use of Data
4.1 Any personal Data you submit will be retained by R&D CORE for at least 6 months.
4.2 Unless we are obliged or permitted by law to do so, and subject to Clause 5, your Data will not be disclosed to third parties. This does not include our affiliates and / or other companies within our group.
4.3 All personal Data is stored securely in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. Fore more details on security see Clause 11 below.
4.4 Any or all of the above Data may be required by us from time to time in order to provide you with the best possible service and experience when using our Website. Specifically, Data may be used by us for the following reasons:
4.4.1 internal record keeping;
4.4.2 improvement of our products / services;
4.4.3 transmission by email of promotional materials that may be of interest to you;
4.4.4 contact for market research purposes which may be done using email, telephone, fax or mail. Such information may be used to customise or update the Website.
5. Third Party Websites and Services
5.1 R&D CORE may, from time to time, employ the services of other parties for dealing with matters that may include, but are not limited to, payment processing, delivery of purchased items, search engine facilities, advertising and marketing. The providers of such services may have access to certain personal Data provided by Users of this Website.
5.2 Any Data used by such parties is used only to the extent required by them to perform the services that R&D CORE requests. Any use for other purposes is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, any Data that is processed by third parties shall be processed within the terms of this Policy and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
6. Links to Other Websites
This Website may, from time to time, provide links to other websites. R&D CORE has no control over such websites and is in no way responsible for the content thereof. This Policy does not extend to your use of such websites. Users are advised to read the privacy policy or statement of other websites prior to using them.
7. Changes of Business Ownership and Control
7.1 R&D CORE may, from time to time, expand or reduce our business and this may involve the sale and/or the transfer of control of all or part of R&D CORE. Data provided by Users will, where it is relevant to any part of our business so transferred, be transferred along with that part and the new owner or newly controlling party will, under the terms of this Policy, be permitted to use the Data for the purposes for which it was originally supplied to us.
7.2 In the event that any Data submitted by Users is to be transferred in such a manner, you may not be contacted in advance and informed of the changes. If you are contacted, you will not be given the choice to have your Data deleted or withheld from the new owner or controller.
8. Controlling Use of Your Data
8.1 Wherever you are required to submit Data, you will be given options to restrict our use of that Data. This may include the following:
8.1.1 use of Data for direct marketing purposes; and
8.1.2 sharing Data with third parties.
9. Your Right to Withhold Information
9.1 You may access certain areas of the Website without providing any Data at all. However, to use all features and functions available on the Website you may be required to submit certain Data.
9.2 You may restrict your internet browser’s use of Cookies. For more information see Clause 12.
10. Accessing your own Data
You have the right to ask for a copy of any of your personal Data held by R&D CORE (where such data is held) on payment of a small fee which will not exceed £10.
11. Security
11.1 Data security is of great importance to R&D CORE and to protect your Data we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure Data collected via this Website.
12. Cookies
12.1 This Website may place and access certain Cookies on your computer. R&D CORE uses Cookies to improve your experience of using the Website and to improve our range of products AND/OR services. R&D CORE has carefully chosen these Cookies and has taken steps to ensure that your privacy is protected and respected at all times.
12.2 All Cookies used by this Website are used in accordance with current UK and EU Cookie Law.
12.3 Before the Website places any Cookies on your computer, subject to sub-Clause 12.4 AND/OR sub-Clause 12.7, you will be presented with a cookie consent bar requesting your consent to set those Cookies. By giving your consent to the placing of Cookies you are enabling R&D CORE to provide the best possible experience and service to you. You may, if you wish, deny consent to the placing of Cookies; however certain features of the Website may not function fully or as intended.
12.4 Certain features of the Website may depend upon Cookies to function. UK and EU Cookie Law deems these Cookies to be “strictly necessary”. Your consent will not be sought to place these Cookies. You may still block these cookies by changing your internet browser’s settings as detailed below.
12.5 This Website places the following Cookies:
Name of Cookie
Purpose
Strictly Necessary
"10f110d35bdb574ad680672c8f85b416"
Joomla session cookie
yes
__utma
Google Analytics: Used to distinguish users and sessions
no
__utmb
Google Analytics: Used to determine new sessions/visits.
no
__utmc
Google Analytics: Determines a new session/visit.
no
__utmz
Google Analytics: Stores the traffic source
no
12.6 This Website uses analytics services provided by Google Inc. Website analytics refers to a set of tools used to collect and analyse usage statistics, enabling us to better understand how Users use the Website. This, in turn, enables us to improve the Website and the products AND/OR services offered through it. You do not have to allow us to use these Cookies, as detailed below, however whilst our use of them does not pose any risk to your privacy or your safe use of the Website it does enable us to continually improve our business.
12.7 The analytics services used by this Website use Cookies to gather the required information. Certain of these Cookies may be placed immediately when you decide to visit the Website and it may not be possible to obtain your prior consent. You may remove these Cookies and prevent future use of them by following the steps set out below.
12.8 The analytics services used by this Website use Google Analytics third party cookies (see section 12.5).
12.9 You can choose to enable or disable Cookies in your internet browser. Most internet browsers also enable you to choose whether you wish to disable all cookies or only third party cookies. By default, most internet browsers accept Cookies but this can be changed. For further details, please consult the help menu in your internet browser.
12.10 You can choose to delete Cookies at any time however you may lose any information that enables you to access the Website more quickly and efficiently including, but not limited to, personalisation settings.
12.11 It is recommended that you ensure that your internet browser is up-to-date and that you consult the help and guidance provided by the developer of your internet browser if you are unsure about adjusting your privacy settings.
13. Changes to this Policy
R&D CORE reserves the right to change this Policy as we may deem necessary from time to time or as may be required by law. Any changes will be immediately posted on the Website and you are deemed to have accepted the terms of the Policy on your first use of the Website following the alterations.
