2013 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering

Smart Helmet with Sensors for Accident

Prevention

Mohd Khairul Afiq Mohd Rasli, Nina Korlina Madzhi, Juliana Johari
Faculty of Electrical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi MARA
40450 Shah Alam Selangor, MALAYSIA
julia893@salam.uitm.edu.my

Abstract—The impact when a motorcyclist involves in a high
speed accident without wearing a helmet is very dangerous and
can cause fatality. Wearing a helmet can reduce shock from the
impact and may save a life. There are many countries enforcing a
regulation that requires the motorcycle’s rider to wear a helmet
when riding on their motorcycle, Malaysia is an example. With
this reason, this project is specially developed as to improve the
safety of the motorcycle’s rider. Motorcyclist will be alarmed
when the speed limit is exceeded. A Force Sensing Resistor (FSR)
and BLDC Fan are used for detection of the rider’s head and
detection of motorcycle’s speed respectively. A 315 MHz Radio
Frequency Module as wireless link which able to communicate
between transmitter circuit and receiver circuit. PIC16F84a is a
microcontroller to control the entire component in the system.
Only when the rider buckled the helmet then only the
motorcycle’s engine will start. A LED will flash if the motor
speed exceeds 100 km/hour.
Keywords-Mircocontroller PIC16F844a, 315 MHz Radio
Frequency Module, Force Sensing Resistance, BLDC Fan, 5V
Relay, LM311 and IC 555.
I. INTRODUCTION
Traffic accidents in Malaysia have increased year by year.
Muhamad Nizam Mustafa who works in planning highway unit
in Ministry of Works stated that, the increase of road accidents
is in link with the rapid growth in population, economic
development, industrialization and motorization encountered
by the country [1]. In 2010, motorcyclists made up more than
half the road fatalities in Malaysia. Statistics provided by the
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) showed
that 4,067 motorcyclists died in 2010[1].
A motorcycle’s helmet is a type of protective headgear used
by the motorcyclist. The main purpose is for safety, which is to
protect the rider's head from the impact during an accident. It
protects the rider’s head as the helmet provides ventilation
system. Speeding and not wearing a helmet are the main
reasons of fatalities and injuries. It is proven that, as the speed
of motorcycles increased, so did the number of accident and
fatalities [1]. This is again due to the shock of an impact during
the accident.
The objective of this project is to build a safety system in a
helmet and speed alert for a better safety of motorcyclists. The
safety helmet that we created is embeddedwith sensors which
act as detectorsfor rider’s head and the safety belt itself. The
engine of the motorcycle can start only if the rider has buckle
up its’helmet safety belt. The second safety method that we
introduced is another sensor which acts as an alarm to the rider
when the motorcycle speed exceeds 100km/h. Indicator is
placed and will flash to alert the rider about the speed limit.
A microcontroller is used in this project to control the
system. The microcontroller used to operate the project is
Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) 16F84a. The PIC is an 8-
bit controller. Since it has a small number of inputs and output,
PIC kit software is needed to write the program in basic
compiler language. Other than that, Force Sensing Resistance
(FSR) and the speed sensor (BLDC Fan) are used as sensors to
operate this project.
Therefore, the scopes of the project will be using two
sensors which are Force Sensing Resistance (FSR) and a
BLDC Fan. The main purpose is actually to make some
research correlation on a Force Sensing Resistance (FSR) with
resistance and a BLDC Fan with voltage. Signal transmission
between the two circuits is using a radio frequency concept.
315 MHz Radio Frequency Module is used since the range
between the circuits is short. While the microcontroller
Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) 16F84A is used to control
the system.
II. TECHNICAL STUDIES
A. Force Sensing Resistor (FSR)
Force Sensor Resistor (FSR), structure shown in Fig. 1 (a)
is placed inside the helmet as a tactile sensor to detect whether
the wearer is wearing their helmet. It consists of a Polymer
Thick Film (PTF) device which exhibits a decrease in
resistance with an increase in the force applied to the active
surface [2].
The force vs. resistance characteristic shown in Fig. 1 (b)
provides an overview of FSR typical response behavior. For
interpretational convenience, the force vs. resistance data is
plotted on a log/log format [2]. A mathematical formula
produced based on the graph in Fig. 1 (b). Two point’s method

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is used to find the mathematical formula. The formula However, due to its asymmetric rotor structure (Fig. 2 (b))
represents as below: of the single-phase BLDC motor, it has instantaneous torque.
Then, it becomes nonlinear. There are two components in
0.0014 9 (1)
electromagnetic torque of a single phase BLDC which are the
Where: y = Resistance (ohm) cogging torque and the excitation torque [5].
= Force (gram)

(a) (b)
Fig. 2. (a) BLDC Fan and (b) Asymmetric rotor structure

(a)
This BLDC Fan has four poles and external-rotor type
which are single-phase. Fig. 2 (b) shows the cross-sectional
view of stator and rotor assembly with the air gap [6]. The
single coil wounding the fan motor which is winding terminals
are connected to an inverter. This converter switched at a
frequency corresponding to rotor velocity. The differential
equations describing the dynamic behavior of single-phase
with four poles BLDC fan motor can be described as in (2).

(2)

Where: = Terminal voltage (phase voltage input).

Rs = Series Resistance
Ls = Series Inductance of stator winding
(b) Vemf = back-EMF induced by rotor flux variation.
Fig. 1. (a) Force Sensing Resistance Sensor Structure and (b) Resistance vs
Force. C. IC LM311 (Comparator IC)
Based on the graph, a switch-like response is evident. This In general, comparator IC is a device comparing two
turn-on threshold, or ‘break force, that swings the resistance voltages at the same time and give HIGH or LOW in the
from greater than 100 kΩ to at about 10 kΩ (the beginning of output. A reference voltage is fixed while the input voltage is
the dynamic range that follows a power-law) is determined by variable from zero to the supply voltage. Fig. 3 (a) below
the substrate and overlay thickness and flexibility, size and shows the simplest configurations for voltage comparators. Fig.
shape of the actuator, and spacer-adhesive thickness (the gap 3 (b) and 3 (c) shows the diagrams of the circuits that give the
between the facing conductive elements). Break force increases output results in a graphical form. Theoretically, the reference
with increasing substrate and overlay rigidity, actuator size, and input voltages can be used between any kind of values
and spacer-adhesive thickness [3]. from zero and the supply voltage, but there is practical
limitations on the actual range depending on the particular
B. Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) Fan device used [7].
Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) Fan motors (as in Fig. 2
(a)) are widely used in electronic as a cooling device but in this
project, it is used as a speed sensor. This is because the
characteristics of BLDC Fan are high efficiency, low cost,
simple mechanical construction, and maintenance frees [4].
The phase windings of a brushless permanent magnet motor
can be categorized as single-phase, two-phase, or three-phase,
their flux distribution can be either sinusoidal or trapezoidal
[4]. This BLDC motor is single-phase which the trapezoidal
flux is distributed.

(a)

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 2013 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering
(b) (c)
Fig. 3: (a) Configuration of comparator circuit, (b) and (c) Output diagram of
comparator.
The output from comparator is either HIGH (ON) or LOW
(OFF). There are two conditions probably outcomes for the
output:
• Current will flow through the output (open collector) if
the voltage at the PLUS (+) input is lower than the
voltage at the MINUS (-) input.
• Current will not flow through the output (open
collector) if the voltage at the PLUS (+) input is higher
than the voltage at the MINUS (-) input.
Setting the voltage reference is to select the right range of
voltage input for the output in current or voltage to trigger.
There are several concepts to set the voltage reference. The
simplest is by using the voltage divider. Based on Fig. 3 (a),
value resistors R1 and R2 must be changed due to the desired
value by using voltage divider rule. In theory, a voltage divider
consisting two resistors connected in series that across supply
voltage (Vin) produced voltage output that is fraction from
voltage supply [8]. The supply voltage is divided up between
the two resistances R1 and R2. This depends on the value of R2
relative to R1.
Where: V+ = supply voltage
Vi = supply voltage for comparator
R1 = Resistor 1
R2 = Resistor 2
D. IC Timer 555
An astable circuit using IC timer 555 produces square wave
[9]. This circuit produced ‘beep-beep’ sound for the buzzer.
This square wave which is in digital form will change LOW
(0V) to HIGH (+Vs). It is not stable in any state because the
output is continuously changing between HIGH and LOW as in
Fig. 4 (a). The duration of the LOW and HIGH state may vary
due to circuit and value of component.
Fig. 4 shows the astable circuit connection. Technically, it’s
considered as Frequency (f) which is the number of cycle for
one period (second). Based on the astable circuit, the time
period (T) and Frequency (f) as in equations (3) and (4) are
shown respectively.
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Fig. 4: Astable circuit connection.
, 0.7 1 2 2 1 (4)
.
, (5)
Where: T = Time period in second (s)
f = Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
R1 = Resistor in Ohm (Ω)
R2 = Resistor in Ohm (Ω)
C1 = Capacitance in Farads (F)
III. METHODOLOGY
A. The Description of Flowchart
1) At A: Initially, a suitable microcontroller is used to
control all the input such as sensors [10]. In embedded system,
PIC16F84a is most suitable as the controller that can read up to
four inputs.
2) The function of PIC16F84a is to read the input like a
switch. Therefore, it is easy to implement and interface with all
sensors and switch (Fig. 6 (b) (1)). The size of PIC16F84a is
small and it is low cost too [11]. Radio Frequency (RF). Radio
(3) Frequency is a wireless concept which is used to transmit data
from helmet to the motor. The signal can be transmitted up to
100 meters in open space and continuously [12]. A 315 MHz
frequency is chosen because 315 MHz is in interval of testing
band and it is free license to use. This RF Module consists of
Transmitter Module and Receiver Module. Each RF module
have its own circuit called the transmitter circuit and is placed
at the helmet (in Fig. 6 (c) (2)) and the receiver circuit is
placed in the motorcycle (in Fig. 6 (d) (2)). Radio Frequency
transmitter circuit consists of transmitter module, PT2262 as
remote encoder and 8-pins DIP-Switch (in Fig. 6 (a) (1)).
Radio Frequency receiver circuit consists of transmitter
module, PT2263 as remote decoder and 8-pins DIP-Switch (in
Fig. 6 (b) (2)).
3) At B: Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) is installed in the helmet
(in Fig. 6 (c) (1)). The Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) sensor
detects the head of motorcyclist. It connects directly to the
transmitter circuit as a switch (in Fig. 6 (a) (2)). So, the
transmitter circuit will be automatically ON when the helmet is
worn. An IC timer 555 was used and placed in the transmitter
circuit (in Fig. 6 (a) (3)) with a buzzer to produce a ‘beep-
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beep’ sound and this sound will be heard affter the transmitter
circuit is ON as an indication to the rider foor buckle-up to the
helmet belt. As the second safety, a SPD DT limit switch is
installed on the helmet’s buckle (in Fig. 6 (c) (3)) to detect
whether the rider is buckle-up or not. It is dirrectly connected in
series with Force Sensing Resistor (FSR) as (in Fig. 6 (a) (4)).
This SPDT limit switch connected parallel too IC Timer 555 (in
Fig. 6 (a) (3) and (4)). After buckling-up, therre is a short circuit
supply for IC timer 555. Therefore, a ‘bbeep-beep’ sound
disappeared and the short circuit gives input to the RF
Transmitter module and send signal to the RF F receiver module.
A
the signal, thePIC16F84a will read the signal and give output
HIGH at pin 13 PIC16F84a; to t activate the relay to contact.
After that, PIC16F84a will readd the signal from the comparator
(speed sensor). If the signal from comparator is HIGH the
output from the pin 14 PIC16F F84a will be high and prompted
LED to flash. Otherwise, it willl be vice-versa.
1
4
2

3
B C

(
(a)

(
(b)

Fig. 5 Flow chart

3 (
(c)
4) At C: RF receiver module is placedd at receiver circuit
and the receiver circuit is placed under the motorcycle’s seat
(in Fig. 6 (d) (2)).The receiver module is to read the signal
from the transmitter module. This signal istto be the input for
PIC 16F84a and the output was connected too IC ULN2803 and
(
(b)
to the relay (in Fig. 6 (b) (1)). The relay is inn a normally closed
position is connected in series to the output wire of Capacitor
Discharge Ignition (CDI) motorcycles. A BLDC Fan is 1
installed in front of the motorcycle as the speeed detector (Fig. 6
(d) (1)). If the speed is over the limit, then thet LEDwill flash.
The LED was installed beside the speed metter (Fig. 6 (d) (3)).
Therefore, the output from BLDC Fan connnected to the IC
LM311 (in Fig. 6 (b) (3)) then connected to thhe PIC16F84a and
a LED. Then, the PIC16F84a is programmed. 2
PIC16F84a is programmed in assembly language
l by using
basic compiler. PIC kit 2 software is used to program and burn
the PIC16F84a. There are several commandss that were burned
in the PIC16F84a. Firstly, when RF receiveer module received 3

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 2013 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering
(c)
1 voltage reference is based on the
3
2 K
(d)
Fig. 6: (a) Transmitter circuit, (b) Receiver circuit, (c) Helmet hardware
design and (d) Motorcycle hardware and design.
IV. RESULTS& DISCUSSIO
ON
A. BLDC Fan (Speed Sensor)
An experiment of the speed sensor whichh is BLDC Fan has
been done. The purpose is to measure the vaalue of voltage that
corresponds with the motorcycle speed. ThereT are several
steps to measure the BLDC Fan output:
1) Experimental
• The two terminal of BLDC Faan is connected to
the multimeter to measure the vooltage.
• Placed the BLDC Fan in front of o motorcycle and
make sure the BLDC Fan perrpendicular to the
motorcycle (allow maximum airr –flow).
• Voltage measured every 10km/hhour
• Every measurement filled inn the table and
sketches
Fig. 7: Graph Speed vs Voltage
Fig. 7 is a graph about voltage varies with the speed of
motor. When the speed increased, the voltaage also increased.
This is because more flux produced when speed is increasing
through the winding of BLDC fan. Based on the graph, the
output voltage from BLDC Fan is 3 Volt at 100 km/hour. This
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voltage is used as a voltage refference for the comparator since
the LED will be flashing if thhe speed exceeds 100 km/ hour.
Then, voltage reference for com mparator is set to 3V. To set the
t circuit Fig. 3 (a) connection
and equation (3). The voltage supplied for the circuit is 5 V
which is constant. The value resistor R2 must be set to one
value that is 1 kΩ. These valuees substitute into equation (3) to
get the value of R1 for vooltage reference of 3 V. The
calculation is stated as below:
From equation (3), 3 5
R K
Therefore, 1 666.67 Ω
B. Force Sensing Resistance (FSR)
(F
Resistance of the sensor beecomes lower when the applied
force is higher. About 1000 graams and above, the resistance is
below than 1 Ω that can allow w current to flow as shown in
Fig.1 (b). The FSR need to bee more sensitive anda plate was
designed to make better contaact to the FSR. These designs
consist of two plates of prospect, a rubber band and springs.
The design as shown in Fig. 8 below:
b
Fig. 8: Force Sensing Resistance.
This design improves the coontact of Force Sensing Resistor
(FSR) sensor. The rubber sizee maximizes the contact to the
electrode area and the springs return to its normal position if
the rubber is bending. This way,
w a simple force makes the
resistance below 1 Ω and can eaasily detect the rider’s head.
C. 315 MHz Radio Frequency Module
1) Situation for data transmmitting
IC PT2262 placed at the transmitter circuit is a remote
encoder that encode the signaal first before sending it to the
receiver circuit by using 8-Pinns DIP-Switch manually. Then,
315 MH z Radio Frequency Trransmitter Module send signal to
the 315MHz Radio Frequency Receiver Module. The right
combination of the DIP-Swittch at the receiver circuit can
decode the signal of IC PT T2272 which is the signal is
synchronous. This signal is inn the form of digital and have
four data pin. Each data pin connnected to LED but only single
DATA is used since Force Sennsing Resistor (FSR) and SPDT
Limit Switch are connected in series. The digital form is
HIGH (5 V) or LOW (0 V). ThereT are several situations that
prompted the signal as shown in the Table 1.
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 2013 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering
Table 1: Situations producing signals.
Observations
No
Situations LED
Not wearing helmet and not
1 OFF
buckling the belt
2 Wearing helmet only OFF
3 Buckle the belt only OFF
Wearing helmet and buckle the
4 ON
belt
2) RF data transmission
A 315 MHz Radio Frequency shows the continuous data
transmitting between RF transmitter module and RF receiver
module. The continuity of data transmitting was observed by
using oscilloscope. Fig. 9 shows the results of input signal to
the RF transmitter and output signal from the RF module.
Fig. 9: Result of 122 Hz square wave signal transmission (CH1 – input, CH2 –
output)
As shown in Fig. 9 above, the input signal from input RF
transmitter alternates between HIGH and LOW and similar to
the output from RF receiver. The time of changing also has
been synchronous between input and output. This condition
proves the reliability of wireless link as a medium of data
transmission.
V. CONCLUSION
The results of this project have provedthat the motorcycle’s
engine will only start is the helmet is worn and the belt has
been buckled. So, it will reduce the impact from accident and
can prevent motorcycles from being stolen. Besides, the LED
will flash when the speed exceeds 100 km/hour as alarm
because over the speed limit signal to alert the rider.
Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) 16F84a is good in
controlling all sensors and the system. Implementing the
wireless module which is 315 MHz Radio Frequency
Moduleto transmit signal from helmet to the motorcycle
improved the capability of transmitting data instead of
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hardwire. Therefore, a rider would not get disturbed by the
wire while riding the motorcycle.
VI. FUTURE WORK
Digital
Another type of wireless communication can be used
LOW because RF module has some limitations which only provide
LOW one way data transmission. Besides, we can add a buzzer in
the helmet, like the LED will be flashing when the speed
LOW
exceeds. The LED is placed at the speed meter of a
motorcycle not too alarming. By inserting a buzzer in the
HIGH
helmet, the motorcyclist will be more alert and will slow down
the motorcycle once they received the signal.
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