Keep pedaling if you want your computer to stay on

Despite the appeals of nature, humans did not evolve to sit in desktop chairs all day that are crowded in front of computers. Nor do we evolve to handle constant access and almost linked to delicious dense foods in calories. It is not surprising that so many people are at health levels less than ideals. But how can you do the motivation to exercise a lot every day? Ziedyt achieved that when making his computer go out every time he stops pedaling his bicycle.

Zied was inspired by a similar project of the Linus Tech tips published several years ago, in which a bicycle converts the entrance axis of a generator that feeds the computer. In the Linus configuration, pedaling literally Power the computer.

But Zied’s implementation is different and much more accessible. Instead of feeding the computer, the bicycle simply controls the software that runs on the computer and that software simulates the effects of energy loss.

For that to work, Zied needed the software that runs on the computer (written in Python) to monitor, in real time, the speed of the rear wheel of the bicycle. The rear of the bicycle is in an exercise position, so that the user can pedal in his place while he is “sitting” on his computer. The hardware for speed monitoring consists of an Arduino and a Hall effect sensor. The latter responds to the magnets attached to the bicycle radios with 3D printed supports.

The Arduino communicates with the Zied software through Serial and the software causes the computer to behave as if it is losing energy if the wheel speed falls below an established threshold. When that happens, the screen begins to mitigate and the sound becomes quieter. If the speed falls too low, the computer will turn off completely and the user will lose any unvailable work. But if they will pedal quickly enough, they can use the PC as normal.