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MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

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Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#51

Post by ecshafer »

londons_explore wrote: post #13

Nice prototype, but it doesn't actually work does it? Turns out that to transfer any significant torque (and therefore energy), you need either a larger gear, or a larger subtended angle, or a higher chain tension - and ideally all three. Since this device has none of those, I can be pretty confident that even after hours of pedalling, you won't have a charged phone. In fact, the video even shows the chain jumping sh…

That seems like par for the course in this day and age. A nice sentiment and idea, but it doesnt actually work. But that doesn’t stop it from going on the cv and a small marketing push about it.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#52

Post by vidarh »

serpix wrote: post #3

A wall socket can be found just about anywhere, if you really need power quick there are fast charging powerbanks.

From the article:

"While most homeless people own a phone, Talbot conducted interviews with people sleeping rough across London and found that many struggle with finding a place where they can actually charge the device."

So apparently at least part of the homeless disagree with you.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#53

Post by tomstuart »

spaintech wrote: post #26

While I applaud the intent to bring the issue of homelessness to the forefront of the media, I feel like this project is more about gaining self attention for the project rather than solving the issue all together. The ~20GBP for the 18650 or 27500 batteries, the probably ~5GBP of the PCB needed, ~15GBP for the chain hardware and magnets, you are looking for a >40GBP to put this together, you can today get a <10GBP U…

It’s a student project, so the primary intent is to do the work necessary to graduate.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#54

Post by exabrial »

tmpX7dMeXU wrote: post #40
gnsdrths wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm American so as ignorant as I'm sure this sounds... Are the people who become homeless in London doing so for significantly different reasons than over here? Because most of the homeless in my city (a fairly large California coastal) aren't significantly engaged in any of the things you're alluding to and frankly would probably be happier with a bike that charged their phones since the ones who aren't just living…

I’m all but certain that this says a lot more about perception than the actual attributes of people sleeping rough in your area.

I'm all but certain you're certain you're incorrect.

I would invite you to do a ride along with your local police, local EMS / Fire Rescue if allowed, to develop a more informed opinion, as they spend a significant amount of time interacting with the homeless population.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#55

Post by khaki54 »

There is approx zero chance that you can get a homeless person to do labor for 20 minutes, let alone the 2-5 hours this would actually take. By and large homeless are in such despair that they won't invest in activities that will benefit them in the future.

If by some miracle this actually took off and all the bikes were now in use by homeless, non-paying customers, bike rental companies would implement blocking measures so they could actually get revenue.

If the author used his resources and energy deliberately to get even a single homeless person back on track through conventional means, it would have a better impact on the world than this which is probably a net negative, all things considered.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#56

Post by NotYourLawyer »

dmbche wrote: post #48
gruez wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All of this is easy to say when you're personally not affected by them.

How do "they" affect you, poor soul?

They shit and piss on the sidewalk. They yell profanities at people walking by. The (occasionally at least) assault people.

How do they not affect you?

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#57

Post by gilleain »

gnsdrths wrote: post #46
Waterluvian wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure of the demographics in your region but are you sure your perception of homelessness is correct? Or is it just a bias where you only see the ones who aren’t busy trying to dig out?

Most of the homeless in my city migrated here from outside of the city (and often State) to come here for our weather, services, and lax attitude towards drug use as far as demographics go. We're a navy town so there's also a tragic sub-group of veterans with mental health issues but the bulk of our homeless (we actually use the term "transient" as side context) don't fall into this category and mainly came here for…

I don't know the demographic breakdown of London homelessness, but I do walk around the city (of Westminster) a lot and have read the Big Issue a fair bit. There are all sorts of reasons to be homeless in London, including (in no particular order):

* Drug/alcohol problems * Domestic abuse * Prison * Mental problems * Financial disaster

Obviously there is overlap between these, and some can cause the others. Also note that being 'homeless' does not just include literally sleeping on the streets (as many do) but also staying in temporary hostels, couch-surfing, and so on.

London is not the sort of climate that it is comfortable to sleep outside, even in a tent. It is difficult to imagine many people that would be 'transient' on the street given any alternative options. Of course it is possible, and there are long-term homeless people who might even plausibly enjoy some of the benefits of the 'freedom to live under a bridge', but I _suspect_ the majority are in a very bad place and want to get out of it.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#58

Post by forgotusername6 »

spaintech wrote: post #26

While I applaud the intent to bring the issue of homelessness to the forefront of the media, I feel like this project is more about gaining self attention for the project rather than solving the issue all together. The ~20GBP for the 18650 or 27500 batteries, the probably ~5GBP of the PCB needed, ~15GBP for the chain hardware and magnets, you are looking for a >40GBP to put this together, you can today get a <10GBP U…

In the article it says he hopes to manufacture it for £3. Not sure whether that price is realistic.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#59

Post by kingTug »

khaki54 wrote: post #55

There is approx zero chance that you can get a homeless person to do labor for 20 minutes, let alone the 2-5 hours this would actually take. By and large homeless are in such despair that they won't invest in activities that will benefit them in the future. If by some miracle this actually took off and all the bikes were now in use by homeless, non-paying customers, bike rental companies would implement blocking meas…

In America, about half of the homeless population is employed. "Homeless won't do labor" is a common misnomer.

Re: MyPowerbank hacks Santander bikes so London's homeless can charge their phones

#60

Post by WarOnPrivacy »

khaki54 wrote: post #55

There is approx zero chance that you can get a homeless person to do labor for 20 minutes, let alone the 2-5 hours this would actually take. By and large homeless are in such despair that they won't invest in activities that will benefit them in the future. If by some miracle this actually took off and all the bikes were now in use by homeless, non-paying customers, bike rental companies would implement blocking meas…

> There is approx zero chance that you can get a homeless person to do labor for 20 minutes, let alone the 2-5 hours this would actually take.

And yet homeless people do labor. In fact routine living often requires much, much, much more labor when homeless, than when housed.

They even have jobs. I worked when I was homeless (but was fired when they found out). That was long ago. Since then it's more difficult to find work; job portals erased most job opportunities. Of the few folks willing to give you work, you have a segment who take advantage and act in bad faith.

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