David Young
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    • Computer Science >
      • Computer Vision >
        • 2016 - Homography w/ RANSAC
        • 2016 - Fundamental Matrix & Triangulation
        • 2016 - Laplacian Blob Detector
        • 2016 - Photometric Stereo: Shape From Shading
        • 2015 - Optical Character Recognition w/ OpenCV and Deep Learning
        • 2015 - Feature Detection
        • 2015 - Feature Description
        • 2015 - Feature Matching
        • 2015 - Panoramas (Alignment, Stitching, Blending)
        • 2015 - Facial Detection & Recognition
        • 2015 - Single View Modeling
      • Artificial Intelligence >
        • 2019 - Talk: How Neural Networks See the World
        • 2018 - Generating Text and Poetry
        • 2015 - Optical Character Recognition w/ OpenCV and Deep Learning
        • 2015 - Constraint Satisfaction Problems
        • 2015 - Adversarial Search
        • 2015 - Path Planning (Mazes + Pacman)
        • 2015 - Digit Classification (Bayes)
        • 2015 - Text Document Classification (Bayes)
        • 2015 - Multi-Class Perceptrons
        • 2015 - Markov Decision Processes & Reinforcement Q-Learning
        • 2015 - Simulating Neuronal Learning during Brain-Machine Interface
      • Machine Learning >
        • 2016 - Naive Bayes Classifiers in R
        • 2016 - Stochastic Gradient Descent (SVM in R)
        • 2016 - Comparing Classifiers in R
        • 2016 - Visualize High Dim Data: Blob Analysis + PCA
        • 2016 - Image Segmentation w/ EM
        • 2016 - Regression Kernel Smoothing
        • 2016 - Multinomial Regression on Wide Datasets
      • Robotics >
        • 2017 - 3dof Parallel Motion Simulator
        • 2015 - Designing a Hybrid Controller
        • 2015 - Controlling Pendubot with a Kinect
      • Computer Architecture >
        • 2016 - Architecture Support for Accelerator Rich CMPs
        • 2014 - Weighted Vector Addition with Cuda Framework
        • 2014 - Parallel Reduction with Cuda Framework
        • 2014 - Designing a Pipelined CPU
        • 2014 - Intel SSE Intrinsics Applications in Rudimetary Matrix Algorithms
        • 2014 - LIFC to MIPS Compiler and Assembler
      • Web Development >
        • 2014 - Javascript Calendar
        • 2014 - Multi-Room Chat Server
      • Graphics >
        • 2015 - Basic Animation w/ WebGL
        • 2015 - Diamond Square Terrain Generator
        • 2015 - Flight Simulator w/ WebGL
        • 2015 - Multi-Program Texture Mapping WebGL
      • Software >
        • 2015 - Consumer Grade Gaze Pattern Recognition Software
        • 2015 -Test History Jenkins Plugin
      • Other >
        • 2014 - Hashtable for Genomic DNA Sequences
        • 2014 - Closest Pair of Points
    • Virtual Reality, Game Design, & Animation >
      • 2019 - Interactive Music Visualization
      • 2016 - Visualizing Runtime Flowpath in VR
      • 2016 - Fiducial Marker Tracking for Augmented Reality
      • 2015 - Experimenting with PhysX & APEX Destruction
      • 2015 - Rigging Tank Treads using MEL in Maya
      • 2015 - Automated Simulation Teddy Bear Bin
      • 2014 - Networked Multiplayer Game of Set
      • 2014 - Asymmetrical Multiplayer Destruction
      • 2016 - Tracking & Depth Perception
      • 2014 - 8 Week Game Design (Cave Survival)
      • 2015 - Experimenting with Nvidia FLEX
    • Computers >
      • Custom and Watercooled PCs
      • Component Reviews
      • Installation Guides
    • Quantitative Physiology >
      • Computational >
        • 2015 - Modelling Neurons & Action Potentials
        • 2015 - Simulating Neuronal Learning during Brain-Machine Interface
        • 2014 - Imaging: Rabbit Optical Mapping
        • 2014 - Simulating Electrical Stimulation w/ Comsol
        • 2014 - Ion Channels
        • 2013 - Designing Filters to Simulate Olfactory Sensation
        • 2014 - CardioVascular Mechanics
        • 2014 - Renal
        • 2013 - Principal Component Analysis & Singlar Value Decomposition
        • 2013 - 3D Printed Frog Muscle Holder
      • Physical >
        • 2013 - Biomedical Signal Acquisition
        • 2013 - Electrooculogram
        • 2013 - Compound Action Potential in Frog Sciatic Nerve
        • 2013 - Contractile Properties of Frog Skeletal Muscle
        • 2013 - Locust Olfaction
        • 2014 - Voltage Clamp
        • 2013 - Dive Response
        • 2014 - Frog Heart Muscle
        • 2013 - Ultrasound
        • 2014 - Biological Signal Conditioning
        • 2014 - EKG, Vector Cardiograms & Pulse Wave Velocity
    • Electrical Projects >
      • Self Balancing Robot Pendulum
      • Custom Beer Pong Tables
      • 4-axis Robotic Arm
      • Modified Electric MiniBike
      • Secret Knock Detecting Automatic Door Opener
      • Car Audio
      • Tree-House Wiring
      • Laser Harp
    • Auto & Mechanical Projects >
      • Single Turbo Lexus SC300
      • Track Day Mx-5
      • Karting
      • Racing Simulator Rig
      • 50cc Barbie Jeep
    • Random Other Projects >
      • Talk: Embodied Cognition
      • Bathymetry Coffee Table
      • Not your average Tree House
      • Pneumatic Tennis Ball Cannon
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Electric Minibike
(2011)


Motivation

​Freshman year of college meant leaving my beloved cars and most of motor-sports behind. I could have picked up a bike to get around campus, but it seemed more fitting to fill the need with a new project.

The Bike

I picked up a broken Razor electric minibike chassis off craigslist for about $50. Ordinarily these are children's toy scooters. They have about a top speed of 8mph and aren't meant to tow around much more than a 100lbs. However the chassis itself is stout enough to support a larger rider and swing arm mounted motor location looked to be able to accommodate a bigger motor without extensive modification.

Parts List

Being at school without a garage of tools, any serious fab work was out of the question... I would pretty much only be able to assemble an assortment of parts. So I found a motor that looked like it would mount up to the stock bracketry without modification and ordered the following:
  • 750W 36V MY1020 Electric Motor
  • 48V 50amp LB37 Controller
  • 48V Throttle
  • 4x 12V/12A UB12120 SLA Batteries
  • 48V 3.0 amp XLR Battery Charger

Build

The motor mounted up as expected. Three of the four batteries would have mounted just fine in the stock locations, but trying to cram four into a space meant for three required some "reforming" of the front case behind the front fairing and a couple of large zip ties holding the two upper batteries together. It was a bit kluged for my taste, and if I could do it again (with access to some power tools) I'd fabricate a new cage to hold everything without much trouble. All in all it worked out just fine and I wasn't worried about anything coming loose or undone, simply that water and condensation might find their way in.

Results

​The bike would hold about 25 mph, was relatively quiet and a single charge lasted just long enough to get me to class and back. It fit the bill perfectly.
Picture

Reality Check

​Unfortunately it only took two weeks before my dorm's residential college director informed me I could not lock up the scooter near an electrical outlet in front of my building. As it turned out, the bike racks were too far away from an outlet and I lived on the 4th story of an elevator-less building. Luckily it only took me a week to sell the bike. I put an ad up on craigslist and heard back from gentleman with an interesting application. He was looking for a gear-less option for his son, who had a bad foot and couldn't shift. He assured me they'd be taking every safety precaution and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I ended up turning a small profit. Seeing how the whole project was really just an excuse to tinker on something new anyways, I'd' call it a success.

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