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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

#61

Post by SV_BubbleTime »

extraduder_ire wrote: post #30
helpfulContrib wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bicycles are among the most efficient energy conversion systems human-kind has ever invented .. the difference between a single lever (which, after all, is still an option with the existing design) and a bicycle lever/gear system, means all the difference in the world when the calories are, already, a regular daily concern for the target user. Plus, it gives the bikes utility when they're not being rented, since the…

This doesn't use the gear system though. (aside from the large front sprocket driving the smaller one on the device) I'm quite surprised it can be built for £3, unless the battery is incredibly small.

That cost would be at a volume no one would ever produce this at.

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

#62

Post by version_five »

I have an emergency radio with crank for power outages. I know it probably takes a lot of cranking to charge a phone, but I think that would reduce complexity and make it more universal than having to occupy a specific kind of bike sharing bike

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

#64

Post by op00to »

netsharc wrote: post #44

Man, when I saw "hack" I thought the Santander bikes are e-bikes, and the hack would be a device that leeches power off their batteries...

Same! Like, the bikes are charging via some inductive method, and the battery sucks off that. That’d be cool as hell!

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

#65

Post by dazc »

Most homeless people in the UK will be aware that they can charge phones in any public library.

Also, most will have access to some kind of facility where they can also do stuff such as charge phones, have a shower and do laundry.

If you present to the local authority as homeless you will usually be directed to a local charity that has these facilities. You will, likely, stay homeless but there is some basic help out there.

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

#67

Post by op00to »

Waterluvian wrote: post #28

Homeless people are known for having so much free time and energy that an hour of pedalling is a better solution than the two cents of wall power needed to charge things while they sit and correspond with potential employers, deal with paperwork, pay bills, figure out their kid’s school plans, and working out how to keep their healthcare without a full address. I dunno… this “idea” feels so ignorant that it’s basical…

“Hey, person discarded from society! We don’t think you’re worth housing, or having reliable access to electricity. Instead, pull yourself up by the bootstraps and pedal your way to being a participant in the rat race!”

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

#68

Post by SgtBaker »

serpix wrote: post #3

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

Most places that are available to you and me aren't necessarily available to homeless people and some modern cities are getting more and more hostile architecture built to make life harder for homeless people.

It might be a niche thing (it's a gradschool project after all), but it's pretty cool way to exploit things that are not supposed to be available for use.

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

#69

Post by WarOnPrivacy »

forgotusername6 wrote: post #58
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.

You may be right. Others in this thread mention he's a student. Learning about manufacturing costs should be well worth the time spent.

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

#70

Post by op00to »

mytailorisrich wrote: post #9
serpix wrote: post #3

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

It is illegal to use a socket without permission and there aren't that many sockets accessible outdoor.

I for one live in fear of the storm trooper squads that come after you plug your charger into an unattended wall socket.

In my major Northeast US city, there are wall sockets on the outside of most buildings (if you know where to look), on every car of the subway/bus, in public concourses, etc.

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