Design Engineering
Showcase 2023

Brompton Bicycle Ltd.

Tags
Human-centred design
Data Analysis
Smart Tech Integration

Project Details

Student
Amy Walter
Team
Design Team
Role
Design & Development Intern
Sector
Aerospace & Mobility
Links
LinkedIn

Brompton Bicycle Ltd, the UK’s largest bicycle manufacturer, is renowned for its iconic folding bicycles. With primary purpose of creating ‘Urban freedom for happier lives’, Brompton’s strategy is centred around designing high-quality, customizable folding bikes for urban commuters, aiming to be a global industry leader and promote sustainable transportation.Within Brompton’s Design and Development team for future bike releases (5-year project timeline), my project has focussed on smart tech integration, specifically sensing technology within maintenance and tyre pressures.

Amy Walter

Role and Contributions

My role was to direct the 'smart tech integration' project at Brompton, driving key objectives including defining smart technology requirements, assessing the market landscape, conceptualising tech solutions, and conducting testing. Responsibilities involved leading cross-functional research (both user and technical), documenting work comprehensively, delivering weekly presentations, and collaborating with my supervisor. Various skills were leveraged from Design Engineering modules encompassing Python coding, data analysis, generating a convincing and innovative business proposal, and human-centred design. I employed several methods including the double-diamond approach, considering both divergent and convergent phases, alongside strategic user research and project management tools such as a Gantt chart considering time, cost, and resource constraints. My contributions and smart bike work package will inform decision-making and future model developments at a team level. Professionally documented research and product requirements will guide the team in the design of seamless tech integration. At industry level, my concept is novel in the bike sector. There’s expectations for it to protected by ongoing IP and patenting efforts since it holds financial and technological promise. It surpassed company expectations, presenting opportunities for implementation across current and future models. Furthermore, Brompton could potentially license this technology, benefiting not only the company but also other industry players like bike rental firms.

Amy Walter