Do I need a personal running coach?

Out of the 20 million Germans who call themselves more or less frequent runners only 32% run in a way that
is actually beneficial to their fitness and health*. The running behavior of the other 68% of runners does not
contribute to their fitness and in the worst cases can even cause harm. They simply run the wrong way. This
results in frustration, because the desired training effect does come about, and can lead to severe health
problems if the runners continue to overstrain themselves. A personal running coach can help to avoid or
eliminate health problems, bring fun and satisfaction to running, and allow runner to achieve their own athletic
goals.

In close cooperation with Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, one of the most renowned sports universities in
Europe, we develop a new approach to personal training: the personal running coach RUFUS.

Who or what is RUFUS?

RUFUS is an electrically driven and automatically controlled vehicle which supports runners’ outdoor training.
It guides its user’s training and effectively acts as a personal coach for the runner.

RUFUS fulfills a role similar to that of a heart rate controlled treadmill which, by changing speed, exposes the
runner to a physical challenge that varies. With regular use, it will improve the runner’s fitness and endurance
and increase the capacity and resilience of his/her circulatory system in the medium and long term.

Unlike a treadmill, however, RUFUS is not stationary. RUFUS is a vehicle that drives ahead of the runner like
a pace-setter in a marathon and imposing a speed on his/her running. The speed at which RUFUS moves
in front of the runner can either be set manually or automatically by a training program that can be downloaded
to the RUFUS on-board computer.

How do I steer RUFUS?

RUFUS does neither have to be steered like a bicycle nor to be pushed like a baby stroller. Instead, RUFUS is |
propelled by electric motors, like an eBike. Its velocity can be set either directly via a display or indirectly through
the runner's heart
rate or via a training program.

RUFUS has fixed axes and wheels, moving straight ahead of the runner as if on rails, until somebody or something
changes its heading. The runner can freely use their arms and hands and move in a normal running pattern and
doesn't need to hold onto RUFUS' handlebar.

The runner only needs to interfere with RUFUS in order to stop it, or to change it's direction. RUFUS' handlebar
is equipped with contact sensors. As soon as the runner touches these sensors RUFUS' motors will be
deactivated. RUFUS can then be pushed and steered like a baby stroller or a lawn mover.

To steer RUFUS in a new direction, the runner need only lift the front wheel slightly, and then turn the vehicle on
its rear axis into the desired direction. Once the runner puts down the front wheel and releases the handlebar
the motors are activated and RUFUS will start moving again. For a small change or correction of RUFUS' heading
the runner does not even have to lift RUFUS' front wheel. A gentle push to the handlebar is enough and RUFUS
will adjust its direction. The motors will not be deactivated.

How do I train with RUFUS?

There two ways to train with RUFUS: a "manual" and a "program" mode. In both operating modes the velocity
can either be given directly or indirectly through the specification of a heart rate.

"Manual" mode allows the user to enter a set point for the velocity or the desired heart rate of the runner via an
interactive display attached to the handlebar. RUFUS' control system then accelerates or decelerates the device
until the set point either for velocity or heart rate is reached. Such set points can be entered before the runners
starts their training but also while they are running. The interactive display acts like a throttle.

In "manual" mode the runners decide themselves at which velocity or at which heart rate they want to run. This
mode is helpful, if the runners want to prepare themselves to finish a race in a certain time at a certain velocity.
This mode, however, does not prevent the runners from overstraining themselves.

The "safer", and usually more effective, operation mode is the "program" mode. The set points for velocity or
heart rate are encoded in a training program which can be downloaded to RUFUS' on-board computer and then
executed automatically by RUFUS. Such training programs are typically worked out by a physiotherapist, sports
doctor, or professional trainer after a careful analysis of the runners physical and mental conditions.

In "program" mode RUFUS guides the runner through a training unit which is completely tailored to the runner.
This could be an interval training session or a pyramid run, for example. The runner only has to make sure that
RUFUS stays on the road and does not collide with anything. The rest is taken care of by RUFUS. The training
program also include phases for warming up and cooling down.

Operating RUFUS in "program" mode has double benefit. Firstly it stops the runners from overstraining themselves
physically through training units which are too intensive preventing possible injuries such as muscle strains and
fibre tears. This “protection" feature benefits inexperienced and untrained runners in particular. Secondly, the
careful guidance provided by RUFUS enables runner to get the best possible results from their training and to
progress quickly.

Which roads can I use RUFUS on?

RUFUS can be used without problems on any typical road or running path on which you can ride a regular bike.
Eventually there will be an off-road version of RUFUS with a broader wheelbase, larger wheels and stronger motors.

Is RUFUS a robot?

RUFUS drive system and control system can be called robotic technology. RUFUS itself, however, does not claim
to be an autonomous mobile robot. It is not able to recognize and avoid obstacles and it is not able to find its
own path. RUFUS' "intelligent" behavior is essentially limited to controlling the velocity of the vehicle dependent
on the target values of the runner's heart rate.

What shall RUFUS look like?

Six professional product design companies and six student teams at a very renowned German product design
school have thought about what RUFUS shall look like as a product. They have turned their ideas into the 15
design sketches shown on the following questionnaire page.

By participation in our questionnaire, you can get a say in, which design and which functions RUFUS will have.

Technical specifications (preliminary!)

• running gear: tricycle with fixed axes
• weight: ca. 15 kg
• drive system: 250 W brushless DC motor
• battery: 24V 12Ah Lithium-Ion
• runtime per charge: ca. 6 hours on flat surface
• user interface: (interactive) sunlight readable display 
• navigation sensors: GPS, digital compass, hall sensors
• bio-sensors: heart rate monitor with Bluetooth
• safety mechanism: safety rope connecting device and runner (leading to an emergency stop if interrupted)
• handling
• foldable handlebar
• front wheel with quick release
• removable battery
• standard equipment:
• bottle holder
• lockable luggage box
• lights
• extra equipment
• transportation case
• spare battery

*) AOK Studie: Falsches Joggen kann die Gesundheit gefährden, 2011.