Futuro24: a Red Kilometer of innovation

Sustainable mobility also comes from the ability to innovate one of the simplest and most widespread means in the world: the bicycle.

In the Futuro24 service by RaiNews.it, produced within the Kilometro Rosso, Prof. Paolo Malighetti, Spoke Leader of Spoke 5 of MOST, discusses the research work that the University of Bergamo is carrying out in the campus laboratories.

In Italy, the #bike sector is worth over 2 billion euros a year and is supported by a historic and highly specialized industrial chain. The challenge of research is to transform this tradition into innovation, working on technologies that improve performance, safety, and sustainability and that can encourage modal shift, that is, the increase of people choosing to move with light and efficient means.

In the laboratories, new materials and new geometries of frames are being studied, work is being done on the evolution of pedal-assisted bikes, on the optimization of #batteries and motors, but also on the integration of advanced sensors capable of supporting the cyclist and communicating with intelligent mobility systems.

Among the prototypes developed is BRIC, a device that integrates a microcamera, sensors for air quality, and accelerometers to analyze vehicle dynamics and recognize potential obstacles. Alongside this, new easily dismountable and transportable pedal-assisted bicycles are being studied, designed to integrate with different modes of urban transport.

The work will continue with outdoor tests and studies on cyclist physiology, in collaboration with universities and companies in a territory that represents one of the most complete ecosystems for the #bike sector, with expertise ranging from frame builders to manufacturers of components, motors, and tires.

Watch the RaiNews service (from min. 7:20).