Smartphones, smart TVs – we have long been used to the digitalization of everyday objects. Now that cars, tractors and trucks are online, bicycles will also become smarter in the future.
As reported on 'Futurezone' and 'MAZ', the e-bike has boomed tremendously in recent years. Now the bike is also networked. Whether pulse measurement, the indication of worn brake pads or the automated notification of an emergency doctor in the event of an accident.
Sensors, GPS and networking are intended to provide more control, security and convenience.
“We are working on developing a connected bike. I think we can introduce this next year and I expect a breakthrough in two to three years."
says Georg Honkomp, head of the ZEG purchasing group – a business association of almost 1,000 bicycle dealers.
more safety?
The Dutch luxury manufacturer 'Vanmoof' offers digital theft protection through a GPS chip built into the frame that can locate the bike at any time. You can lock the lock electronically using your cell phone.
Vanmoof marketing director Dave Shoemack says this allows the customer to ride a high-quality bike without the fear of it being stolen.
The power supply still poses a problem:
“You either need an e-bike or a sufficiently powerful dynamo to cover the energy requirements of Bluetooth, GPS and other smart components,”
said Shoemack.
In addition to GPS tracking, maintenance and first aid functions are obvious areas of application for smart bicycle technology.
Abrupt braking maneuvers or a fall should be detected and a call made to the bike owner's mobile phone. If this does not pick up, an emergency call will be made including a description of the position.
Self-tracking
Self-tracking features are very popular in sports.
The collection and logging of performance-related data, such as pulse rate, distance traveled and routes completed, is intended to compete with smartphones and fitness watches.
ZEG boss Honkomp is optimistic:
“We assume that in the future every second adult bike will be an e-bike. In the last two years we have had a strong shift towards younger buyers – for example mothers who drive their children to kindergarten in the trailer.”
Sources: Futurezone , MAZ
Notes:
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