Peloton has published many patent applications this week. These patent applications point to future features of Tread and Tread+ that could both increase safety and provide feedback such as form. The first patent application, titled “Controlling operation of a treadmill”, describes sensors and other mechanisms that could detect the user’s position on the treadmill and allow the treadmill to operate properly.
A second patent application entitled “Detecting items proximate to Treadmills” is more specific in terms of its objectives. It describes how sensors can be used as a safety mechanism and slow down or stop treads or other exercise equipments when items are near or below the device.
For context, the Peloton Tread+ has been removed from the market since 2021 because of the risk of children and objects falling under the platform. As always, a patent is no guarantee that the product or feature will ever be brought to market.
Both patents were reported by @BobTreemore via Twitter.
The patent “Detecting objects close to a Treadmill” plainly states its purpose: to provide additional protection for households from objects falling too close to or under a treadmill. It reads:
‘This patent specifically mentions the ability to provide additional safety compared to a “rear guard”. Peloton’s recent comments on the CPSC recall, which extended the date by a full year, indicate that the company is currently working on a physical rear guard for the Tread+ as part of its strategy to correct defects and re-introduce it to the market. Peloton could use technology and sensors to provide additional protection beyond physical rear wheel protection.
They could use sensors or other methods to detect objects near the tread and determine if they are moving in any direction. They could use “Time-of-Flight (ToF), cameras, millimetre waves (mmWave), sensors and Computer Vision technology (CVT) ” to detect objects approaching the treadmill.
According to the patent, the Tread+ can be described as follows: When the Tread+ sensors detect something approaching or under the treadmill, it can slow down or shut down as needed.
In response to the detection of an object, a control system or controller may cause the current operation of the treadmill to be adjusted (e.g., stop or slow the running surface or moving belt) or perform other mitigation actions to warn users and avoid hazardous conditions on the treadmill due to the movement or proximity of the object.
The treadmill or any other exercise equipment may adjust its operation based on the movement or proximity of the object. The treadmill can be controlled by the control system to detect when an object is moving towards the treadmill (e.g. towards the bottom of the treadmill). This results in the speed of the treadmill being reduced or stopped before the object moves under the treadmill.
The patent also mentions that this technology is not limited to treadmills. It says: “In addition to treads, this technology may be used by many workout equipment such as rowing machines or exercise bikes, as well as strength equipment.”
Although the 2nd patent of Peloton, “Controlling the operation of a treadmill,” is not as explicit about safety, it is easy to see that the two patents share similar goals. The summary of this patent is:
The safety aspect here is that the treadmill can be slowed down or stopped if the sensors detect that a user is no longer on the treadmill (e.g. if a fall occurs).
The patent also mentions the treadmill’s ability to adjust its speed according to the user’s movements. The application states:
This means that the sensors in the device can regulate themselves without the need for the runner to intervene. This is particularly useful for safety. This is what it says in the documentation:
These features can detect the runner’s desire to speed up when they advance to the front of the tread and automatically increase the speed.
Another important safety feature mentioned in the patent is that the Tread will detect weight and avert operation if it is deemed unsafe. Thus, if a child tries to climb on the tread, it will deem it hazardous and not start for such a young individual:
A patent also contains evidence of a feature that has been implemented in Peloton Row, but is not mentioned in the tread patents.
It says:
Bob Treemore was the one we have to thank for this. Bob shares more thoughts on the Tread patent information on his latest YouTube video.
What are your thoughts about these new patents?
Read also:
- 9 Best Peloton Tread Alternatives in 2022
- 6 Best Peloton Bike Alternatives in 2022
- How to Find the Best Peloton Instructors for Your Style
- Cody Rigsby: Most Popular Peloton Instructor of Pandemic
- Hannah Corbin – Peloton Instructor: Things You Need to Know
- Selena Samuela: Italian-American Peloton coach
- Should You Buy a Used Peloton Bike? How to buy it?
- Tread+ Recall: Peloton to pay $19 million civil penalty
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