Detect
When the vehicle falls, gravity moves the copper pendulum towards a fixed copper contact.
Automotive Automotive case study · Group project
Diploma Automobile Engineering · 2018–2019
Rollover Kill Switch
A low-cost electromechanical safety prototype designed to stop a two- or three-wheeler's engine after the vehicle falls.
Academic prototype—not a certified commercial safety product.
The problem
A fallen vehicle can remain running—creating avoidable risks around fuel leakage, fire and unintended acceleration.
The team explored a simple retrofit approach for vehicles without a dedicated electronic rollover-control system.
Original prototype
Built and tested as a student proof of concept.
The photograph is reproduced from the original 2018–2019 group project report. Detailed circuit material is intentionally not republished because the report recorded a patent filing process.
Operating principle
Gravity detects the fall.
The relay stops the engine.
The concept used a movable copper pendulum as the sensing element, avoiding reliance on an engine control module in the demonstrated prototype.
Trigger
The completed contact supplies the 12 V relay used in the prototype circuit.
Interrupt
The relay changes the electrical path and interrupts the engine ignition supply.
Recover
Once upright, the pendulum disconnects and the relay returns to its normal condition for restarting.
Prototype build
Built around four accessible electrical components.
The report recorded a total prototype component cost of ₹280 during the 2018–2019 academic year. This is a historical project cost, not a current manufacturing estimate.
0112 V relay₹30
02Copper pendulum₹230
03Copper rod₹10
04Electrical wire₹10
TotalReported prototype cost₹280
02months of prototype use
20reported fall tests
Testing & outcome
Positive functional results in the documented student tests.
The project report states that the prototype was used for two months and tested through 20 fall events. It stopped the engine when the bike fell without shutting it down during the reported normal, hill or off-road use.
Development status
A strong proof of concept—with further validation required.
- 01Define and measure the activation angle and response time
- 02Validate vibration, durability and environmental resistance
- 03Assess electrical loads, contact behaviour and fail-safe operation
- 04Test across multiple vehicle platforms and operating conditions
Project credits
Developed collaboratively by the full student team.
Pimpri Chinchwad Polytechnic · Department of Automobile Engineering
Guided by Prof. P. S. Katkar
Omkar Rajendra Wani
Project team member
Harshad Pravin Kamble
Project team member
Rushikesh Sunil Kawade
Project team member
Sayaji Shashikant Kakade
Project team member
Patent noteThe original project report recorded the concept as being in the process of patent filing. No patent ownership or granted status is claimed on this page.
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