Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) help airplane pilots avoid mid-air collisions. Is this the future of cycling?
Connected Cycle Smart Pedal
On Monday I briefly mentioned the self-charging electronic bicycle pedal on display at CES 2015 in Las Vegas. This is the “smart pedal” that collects trip data and uploads that information to the web independently of any other connected device. I asked Connected Cycle for additional details and they filled in the blanks. Some of this was inferred by the press release, but I asked to make sure because I’ve seen sketchy information from other vendors when it comes to claims about location and Internet access.
- The pedal has its own GPRS connection to the Internet. When you buy the pedal, Connected Cycle plans to bundle two years of mobile data access with your pedal, with the option to purchase mobile data access after that.
- Location of the pedal (and its attached bike) is determined through the built-in GPS receiver in the pedal. No other device is needed for the pedal to determine its position or to upload data to the Internet.
- The pedal automatically uploads trip data, and a “trip” is defined by how long the pedal (and bike) have been in a single location.
- The app to track your bike will be available for both iOS and Android. Connected Cycle didn’t initially plan to make your bike tracking data available via a web browser, but say they’re now planning for this feature after hearing several requests.
- Purchase will be through a Kickstarter campaign later this year. Price TBD.
As I noted before, I see possible value for fleet management applications and theft tracking. Connected Cycle says they’ll have a special key to help prevent pedal removal by potential thieves.
Ericsson’s Bicycle Location Transponder
Late last year, Swedish helmet designer POC and Swedish automaker Volvo announced their wearable safety tech that uploads the cyclist’s position to the “Volvo Cloud,” so the driver can be warned of presence of bicycle traffic ahead. Because Volvo vehicles are already tracked, the cyclist can also be warned of the approaching car.
The proof-of-concept was demonstrated at the Ericsson booth at CES this week. The electronically equipped POC helmet uploads the cyclist’s position to the Internet via a connected phone. The helmet also warns the cyclist of approaching traffic with flashing LEDs and vibrations because, golly, I hardly ever expect to see cars when I’m riding. Below is a very typical view of traffic as shot from the back of my bike.
According to Bike Radar, Volvo, Ericsson and POC anticipate product launch within about two years.
Volvo says they plan to open source their system once they develop it. It occurs to me that mobile devices today already have the requisite hardware to upload the cyclist’s position data to Volvo. In the United States, GM and Ford have similar networked systems for their brands of automobiles.
The best overview of this system is perhaps by James Huang at Bike Radar: POC, Volvo and Ericsson introduce groundbreaking cyclist safety concept.
Yet Another LED Bicycle Jacket
The tech media were excited about the Visijax Commuter Jacket, which received a CES show innovation award. This jacket has the features I expect to see in cycling jackets in the $140 price range — breathable waterproof plus taped seams, ventilated, etc — plus it has high intensity LEDs, including built in turn signals on the sleeves that activate when you lift your arms. Unlike many similar turn signal gizmos, this one doesn’t assume exclusive use of a single arm for signalling.
I hate this idea. I don’t want to share my physical position on this planet with others. It’s not that I have anything to hide but it is no-one’s business where I am or where I am going. Also what does a car company know about cyclist? Just like the pedal you show about it’s just going to be stupid and a waste of money when the real answer is to slow motorized traffic down and building proper infrastructure for all people trying to use the roads. People need to be more alert and considerate to other people on the road. That meeting your running late for is not worth another humans life. This is a stupid idea I don’t want to be tagged like cattle.