'1,000 Won Daily Fee' 'Ddareungi' Safety Device Developed... Seoul Facilities Corporation Embraces 'Renaissance of Innovation'

Usage fee 1,000 won per day, 30,000 won annually affordable... Deputy Park Ji-hyun, staff members Maeng Gwan-young and Park Young-sun among 3 employees collectively using intelligence to prepare patent application for 'Ddarungi Chain Detachment Prevention Device'... Since Jo Seong-il's appointment as Seoul Facilities Corporation Chairman, the corporation enters an 'Era of Innovation Renaissance'

Seong-il Jo, Director of Seoul Facilities Corporation and a world-renowned expert in bridge safety

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seoul’s public bicycle system, "Ddareungi," which has become a popular mode of transportation used by about 150,000 Seoul citizens daily, has become significantly safer.

Started in March 2016, Seoul’s public bicycle Ddareungi not only promotes personal health but also contributes to improving the urban environment, solidifying its role as a reliable means of transportation for citizens over the past seven years.

As Ddareungi establishes itself as a safe transportation option for citizens, employees of the Seoul Facilities Corporation (Chairman Jo Seong-il) recently developed and filed a patent for a “chain derailment prevention device,” earning applause.

Three employees from the Corporation’s Public Bicycle Operation Department?Deputy Manager Park Ji-hyun, and Assistants Maeng Gwan-young and Park Young-sun?successfully developed the “chain derailment prevention device” starting in March, utilizing collective intelligence to enhance user safety and satisfaction.

In July, they reviewed installation positions such as the gap between the bicycle body and the wheel, and created 3D drawings using CAD and SolidWorks.

By October, they used 3D printers to produce physical prototypes, checked dimensions, addressed issues, created samples, installed them, and reviewed practicality. After a pilot operation with 80 units equipped with the device, they analyzed chain derailment status and issues, deciding to file a patent by the end of the year.

This device prevents accidents caused by clothing, such as skirts, getting caught in the bicycle chain when women ride Ddareungi.

Park Ji-hyun, who led the development, expressed joy in an interview with reporters, saying, “As Ddareungi usage increased last year, we studied bicycles with chain derailment issues and eventually developed this device together with Assistants Maeng Gwan-young and Park Young-sun, enabling Ddareungi to serve as a safer mode of transportation for citizens.”

Jo Seong-il, Chairman of the Seoul Facilities Corporation, stated, “I am very pleased that field employees achieved innovation on their own without being instructed. We will reward these employees.”

Since Chairman Jo’s appointment in July 2019, the Corporation has been persistently implementing innovative administration, including introducing an AI chatbot that reduced call center consultation rates by 20%.

Additionally, last year, the application of a top-tube design strengthened the frame, and QR-type terminals were introduced to facilitate easy rental of Ddareungi, helping to prevent COVID-19 infection concerns.

Riding this wave, employees have actively engaged in collective intelligence movements by field, holding discussions and producing innovative results. Since the establishment of the Seoul Facilities Corporation, the most active research activities have been underway, leading to evaluations that the Corporation is entering a “Renaissance of Innovation.”

Currently, 37,500 Ddareungi bicycles are in operation in Seoul, with plans to add 3,000 more this year and another 3,000 next year.

The daily rental fee for Ddareungi is 1,000 KRW, and the annual fee is 30,000 KRW, making it affordable. Mainly used by young people in their 20s and 30s, such as university students, there were about 2.4 million rides last year generating 11.8 billion KRW in revenue, and this year, about 3.2 million rides are expected to generate 14 billion KRW in revenue.

Deputy Manager Park Ji-hyun, Officer Maeng Gwan-young, and Officer Park Young-sun of the Public Bicycle Operation Office

'Chain Detachment Prevention Device'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.