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Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter represents the project design, project development, operation and

testing procedure as well as the evaluation procedure.

Project Design

This Motorcycle Safe Riding System is intended to be used for the safety of

motorcycle riders. The prototype was designed with the following features: 1) the engine

of motorcycle will not start if the driver is not wearing the helmet; and 2) if the driver is

under the influence of alcohol. SMS notification and GPS location are sent to the number

that registered on GSM module, specifically the relative or family of the motorcycle

driver under these conditions if the driver is under the influence of alcohol or in case of

accident if the motorcycle falls on the ground for more than fifteen seconds.

Microcontroller
Alcohol Gas Infrared
Unit (Helmet)
Sensor Sensor

Engine Stop Bluetooth

GSM /GSM
Microcontroller Module
Relay Unit
(Motorcycle)
Mobile
Engine Start Phone
Accelerometer

Figure 2. Block Diagram of the Motorcycle Safe Riding System

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The system used a MQ-3 for alcohol sensor that is suitable for detecting the

alcohol concentration. It has a high sensitivity and fast response time. Sensor provides an

analog resistive output based on alcohol concentration.

A CNY70 is used in this project as a reflective sensor that includes an infrared

emitter and phototransistor in a leaded package with daylight blocking filter and placed it

inside the helmet for detecting if the driver was properly worn the helmet.

The microcontroller unit is the central processor that is responsible for all the

activities of the system from detection to controlling the GSM and GPS Modules. The

project needs two microcontroller units; one is for the helmet and the other is for the

motorcycle. It acts as the brain in this system. The microcontroller used is Arduino board

ATMEGA644p 16 MHz MCU.

A Bluetooth Technology is used in this system for the wireless communication of

two microcontrollers.

The system used ADXL345 which is a complete 3-axis accelerometer with signal

conditioned voltage outputs. It measures the static acceleration of gravity in tilt sensing

applications, as well as dynamic acceleration resulting from motion, shock, or vibration.

The SIM808 Module is used in this project because it is a two in one function

module of GSM and GPS. It supports GSM/GPRS Quad Brand network and combines

GPS Technology for satellite navigation. It has a high GPS receive sensitivity with 22

tracking and 66 acquisition receiver channels.

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A relay is used in the circuit because it is an electrical operated switch which is

connected to the output of a microcontroller.

CNY70
Microcontroller

Mobile
Helmet Power Battery
Alcohol Gas Switch
Sensor

Figure 3. Component Design for Helmet

Figure 3 shows the proper placement of alcohol gas sensor (AGS), CNY70, power

switch and microcontroller as attached to the helmet. Once the power switch on the

helmet is turned ON, the microcontroller automatically gets signal from the alcohol gas

sensor and CNY70 is also turned ON. The mobile battery served as the main source of

energy for it to work.

Figure 4 shows the imposed design of whole system. Once the microcontroller in

the helmet receives the data from either CNY or AGS, it will send data to another

microcontroller attached on the motorcycle via Bluetooth connection. The

microcontroller on the motorcycle can control the engine switch of the motorcycle, based

on the condition of the program together with Accelerometer, SMS and GPS Technology

that attached on the main system.

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CNY70
Accelerometer

GSM GPS

Microcontroller Bluetooth Microcontroller

Helmet

AGS

Motorcycle

Figure 4. Design of the Motorcycle Safe Riding System

Project Development

The following step-by-step procedures were done during the fabrication of the

project prototype

Hardware Development

1. Created a design of a Motorcycle Safe Riding System

1.1. Created a design of the whole system shown in Figure 4.

1.2. Created a design for the component of the helmet shown in

Figure 3.

1.3. Created the Block Diagram shown in Figure 2.

2. Choose the right board.

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2.1. Wireduino (Renzo) Arduino board ATMEGA644p 16MHz is used

in this project. The schematic diagram of Wireduino (Renzo) is

shown in Figure 5.

2.1.1. It consist of up to 30 input/ output

2.1.2. 64kb internal flash

2.1.3. 4kb internal ram

2.1.4. 8-channel, 10bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC)

3. Purchased the following materials

3.1. Wireduino (Renzo) as microcontroller

3.2. ADXL345 (accelerometer)

3.3. MQ-3 (alcohol gas sensor)

3.4. SIM808 Module (GPS and GSM Module)

3.5. Bluetooth for the wireless connection

3.6. 12V Relay for electrical operated switch

3.7. SMPS Module a switching regulator to convert electrical power

efficiently

3.8. LED Light for light indicator

3.9. Mobile Battery for the source of power on the helmet

3.10. Wires, pin and lead for the connection of the materials

3.11. GSM Antenna

4. Built and soldered the prototype

4.1. Connected the materials according to the design of a Motorcycle

Safe Riding System.

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Figure 5. Schematic Diagram of Wireduino (Renzo)

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4.2. Soldered the components. Used a 30-watt soldering iron to avoid

possible damage of the components. Installed wirings for the

outputs, inputs, and power supply.

5. Fabricated the chassis.

System Development

1. For the software development, C++ was used to program the

microcontroller in C Language.

2. The flowchart for the main program is shown in Figure 6. When the

system is powered on, the microcontroller is initialized.

Figure 6 shows how a Motorcycle Safe Riding System works. The system checks

if the MQ-3 (alcohol gas sensor), CNY70 (infrared sensor) and GPS was ready. If the

said components are ready, their corresponding LED light indicators will turn OFF

(turning off the LED light indicator means ready). The gathered data from MQ-3 and

CNY70 on the helmet will send to the main microcontroller that attached on the

motorcycle via wireless connection thru Bluetooth communication. The engine of the

motorcycle will not start if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or if the driver

has not properly worn the helmet. SMS notification and GPS location are sent to the

number that registered on the system, specifically the relative or the family of the driver

under this condition. If the driver is under the influence of alcohol or in case of accident

if the motorcycle was fell in the ground or more than 15 seconds. The system can monitor

the maximum speed limit, if the drivers exceed the limit of 60KmpH the Speed LED will

turn ON, indicator that they reach the maximum speed limit.
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A
Start

GPS LED=ON
ENGINE LED=ON IS
HELMET LED=ON MQ-3=High Level Y ALCOHOL LED=ON
ALCOHOL LED=ON of Alcohol Toxicity
SPEED LED=ON ?

SEND Notification to
HELMET=ON N Registered Number

ALCOHOL LED=OFF

B
IS N
MQ-3=READY
? IS
CNY70=Detect the N HELMET LED=ON
head of the Driver
Y ?
B
ALCOHOL LED=OFF
ENGINE LED=ON
Y

HELMET LED=OFF
Engine will NOT START
IS N
CNY70=READY
? ENGINE LED=OFF
D
D
Y
Engine will START C
SEND MQ-3 Data Value and
CNY70 Data Value to
Main MCU

IS N IS
N
GPS=Search for Signal Motorcycle = Motorcycle=TILT D
Move? ?
?
Y Y
IS SEND Notification to
GPS Signal=Stable
N
IS Registered Number
?
SPEED=60KMPH
N
?
Y
Y SPEED LED=OFF
GPS LED=OFF
SPEED LED=ON
C
A
C

Figure 6. Flowchart of the Motorcycle Safe Riding System

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Operation and Testing Procedure

Operation Procedure

1. Turn ON the switch of Motorcycle Safe Riding System.

2. Turn ON the motorcycle switch using the motorcycle key.

3. In the helmet, turn the switch ON.

4. Wait for the light indicator of alcohol gas sensor to get warm.

5. Wear the helmet properly and make sure that it is locked and fit to the head of the

rider.

6. Wait for 15 seconds for the engine light indicator.

7. Turn the engine ON (Kick Start/ Electric Start).

Testing Procedure

1. Test the infrared sensor by wearing the helmet and then removing the helmet

afterwards.

2. Test the pairing of Bluetooth device.

3. Test if the engine of motorcycle will turn ON when the driver wears the helmet

and not under the influence of alcohol.

4. Test if the engine of motorcycle will turn ON even if the driver did not wear the

helmet or the driver is under the influence of alcohol.

5. Ask a driver to ride a motorcycle to a certain location without his knowledge

about the modified helmet.

6. Request a driver to drink alcohol and to ride a motorcycle to a certain location

without his knowledge about the alcohol gas sensor.

7. How fast is the GSM transmission of message

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8. Perform simulation of an accident where the motorcycle must have fallen to the

ground

Evaluation Procedure

In the preliminary evaluation, the software and hardware was evaluated using

pilot testing. It involves the checking if the system meets the requirement. It is the

process until it is error-free and accurate to the need of the users.

In the prototype demonstration, the process of evaluation was carried out via

survey on the performance of the prototype. The evaluation instrument was disseminated

to thirty (30) respondents that consist of IT technicians, researchers, motorcycle riders

and others who have the knowledge and are very much familiar with this research.

The researcher explained the operation and the procedures on setting up the

prototype to the panel of respondents before the actual evaluation. During the

demonstration, the evaluation on the prototype was administered and the respondents

filled up the evaluation instrument on the developed prototype.

The seven-point criteria that were adopted in the evaluation came from TUP

evaluation instrument for developed prototype that was found in Appendix A. It includes

functionality, workability, durability, aesthetic, economy, safety, and saleability. Each

criterion consists of three items that are suited, best described and defined. The

evaluation instrument used Likert Scale in Table 1 to verify the level of performance of

the prototype based on the given criteria.