Motorcycle Helmet Brake/Indicator Light

February 2018

 

I. Motivation

Last year, I was rear-ended by a concrete mixing truck on 3rd Street, in front of AT&T Park. While my bike was being repaired in the shop, I set out to build a helmet-mounted lighting system to increase my visibility to other motorists.

 

II. Considerations & Requirements

  • Responsiveness: Low latency (<100ms) between tail light activation and helmet light activation

  • Safety: Minimal hardware on helmet to reduce damage during a crash

  • Visual unity: Helmet brake and indicator patterns should replicate those of motorcycle

 

III. Materials

On-board motorcycle

  • ESP32 microcontroller

  • 12V relay modules

  • Wiring harness adapter (custom)

On helmet

  • WS2812B RGB individually-addressable LED strip

  • USB-A male pigtail

In backpack

  • ESP32

  • Portable USB charger

  • USB extension cable - 1.5m

  • USB extension cable (coiled)

 

IV. Circuit layout

[Insert image from Fritzing here]

 

V. Code

Master

 
 

Slave

 
 
 

VI. Testing

 
 
 

VII. Conclusion and next steps

  • ...

 

VIII. Acknowledgements

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