Cerevellum bike rearview monitor might be a little overkill

We've seen some bike-centric GPS devices and sound systems in the past, but we've never seen a device that actually encourages you to ride around while staring down at a screen -- which is probably the fatal flaw with the Cerevellum bicycle rearview monitor. The prototype unit shown here features a 3.5-inch screen and a 4-hour battery life, along with 32MB of storage for workout data and four USB ports for expansion modules. The Cerevellum is expected to cost some $200 when it goes into production, and the company says it's developing GPS and heart-rate monitor modules to ship soon after -- all far better uses of a handlebar mounted screen than a rearview camera that accomplishes nothing a quick look over the shoulder can't get you, we think.

[Via Be Sportier]

[Thomas Bailey @ Feb 19th 2008 12:46AM]

I think 32 MB is too small for my purposes. To fit even one of my bike rides in memory would require 25 GB for SDTV, for HDTV, at least 100 GB, possibly 200 GB.
A 1 TB drive could record even my longest rides, with room left over to accommodate any edits that my be needed. Another feature worth including is the ability to burn the data on Blu-ray, with the speed, heart rate, and GPS position where the subtitles would normally appear.

[martin @ Dec 20th 2007 4:39PM]

hey theres a porshe behind me...splat!

[Frank Shoemaker @ Dec 20th 2007 10:49PM]

This is a great idea. Many bike accidents are caused by bikers looking back over thier shoulder. If you're not careful you drift in the direction you turn your head, usually right into traffic.

[Homer J @ Dec 21st 2007 1:07AM]

Hey Engadget,

Try riding 100+ miles in a day, and looking over your shoulder every time a car is passing. After a while your neck hurts so much you stop looking, and hope for the best. Not to mention the fact that you are worried about swerving when looking backwards. I was planning on getting a Garmin Edge this year, but now I think I will hold off and see where this device goes...

This is pure briliance

[Z @ Dec 23rd 2007 3:02PM]

Nilay, perhaps you haven't ridden a bike for awhile. Cranking your head 180 degrees constantly is a, well, pain in the neck. No pun intended.

If that still makes no sense, then why don't we drive our cars, too, by just cranking our heads? Rear view mirrors and back up cameras? Who needs 'em!

When you're out on a bike sharing the road with two and three thousand pound hunks of metal moving 30-50 mph, you're at greater risk than anything else; so who wouldn't want greater awareness of what's going on around them without having to crank their head around constantly, possibly losing their balance while doing so, and completely taking their eyes off of what's in front of them?

No, this thing is/will be one of the most intelligent and useful devices/accessories to come out for a bicyclist in ages. And I'm not one of those guys who rides a bike everywhere or takes day or week long biking trips, but I'd still buy one of these. Definitely a worthwhile investment and something I'd snag in a heartbeat.

[Mikem @ Feb 11th 2008 12:11AM]

I ride a bike a lot. Over 500 miles every month and I'll get this the minute I see it available.

[engadget @ Dec 20th 2007 4:41PM]

Can they hook it up to one of the generators that attach to your wheel to improve the battery life ?

[Yubastard @ Dec 20th 2007 9:49PM]

now, that is genius! well, thought, mister, definitely practical.

[Reader @ Dec 20th 2007 11:15PM]

Oh no, it's happening. Engadget has become self-aware.

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 20th 2007 4:41PM]

Actually, this is better than looking over the shoulder, as it gives you a better reaction time, and, looking over the shoulder, sometimes causes you to loose balance

What I don't know is if it's worth the $200

[ns @ Dec 20th 2007 4:49PM]

It's great for racing!

[abadtooth @ Dec 20th 2007 6:03PM]

Sorry mate ;)

Didn't catch your comment :(

So now I have to say what I was thinking so you know why I was thinking it, or something like that :P

I ride a bicycle a bit (A road bike skinny little tires...) and by looking behind it really does increase your chances of losing your balance and of course causing a crash (Could be fatal you know...)

So I can imaging only having to look down vs looking over your shoulder would make a big difference.

Now I wonder if I could mount one of these on my main source of transportation- a Motorcycle...

[indysmack @ Dec 20th 2007 7:12PM]

looking over your shoulder ... causes you ... to lose balance?

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 20th 2007 7:43PM]

@ indysmack

Thanks, english isn't my native language... but I'm slowly learning :-D

[ericdj @ Dec 20th 2007 4:53PM]

It will sell. Would like to see this combined with a gps unit like the new Garmin Edge 605/705's.

[Matt H. @ Dec 21st 2007 2:09AM]

Thats the best thing I've heard yet.

This combined with a GPS would rock, if they made it so it will work on a MOTORCYCLE- they would sell a boat load more. In a tuck position behind my windscreen on my bike I can't see my mirrors... this would make freeway-speed lane changes much safer.

[chris @ Dec 21st 2007 6:08PM]

Yes! Motorcycle. Make one or not for them, riders will get this and MacGuyver it to work. Depending on your riding gear and mirror placement, sometimes there are HUGE blind spots requiring you to look back, which is much riskier at 75 on wet roads with SUV-tards riding in your blinds.

$200 sounds nice too. I would guess the GPS addon wouldn't come cheaply though, which would be what would make me buy it if I could afford it.

[stillen @ Dec 20th 2007 4:47PM]

It's a rear view mirror for a bike. Think of how useful it is on your car! If you can't think of it, try taking your rear view mirror off and see how blind you feel when you don't have it.

Excellent invention, and it doesn't stick out the side of your bike like traditional mirrors do.

[Technex @ Dec 20th 2007 5:07PM]

But on a car you have seats and other objects in the way... On a bike there is nothing. I'm not sure this is a good idea, cool it is, but practical I think not...

[Twitchy @ Dec 20th 2007 6:07PM]

@ Technex:

You obviously have never ridden a bike on the road have you? As other posters have mentioned, it is quite difficult to look behind whilst riding due to the restrictions in movement from posture (unless you are willing to ride one handed at 40kph during rush hour) and gear such as a helmet, bag etc.

Up until now the only safe options were mirrors mounted either on the handlebars or on the helmet. Neither are very cool, and can even be rather impractical as they tend to snag on branches etc.

Admittedly, $2oo is a bit steep, but I for one am interested.

[Technex @ Dec 21st 2007 5:45AM]

@Twitchy

I used to ride my bike to work everyday 22 miles everyday there and back done in 20 mins each way, unlike most people here I used to ride by bike as a kid non-stop. And that's up hills, xc, etc...

Mongoose Tyax Elite... Google it if you wish.

I have no problem looking over my handle bars, and you shouldn't judge me because your limited skills.

Get a proper bag, then it won't get in your way and/or learn to ride.

[Jreg @ Dec 21st 2007 7:05AM]

@technex
Easy, boy. Calm down.
I laugh when I think about you getting to work after cycling at an average of 60mph...
"Unlike most people here I used to ride by bike as a kid non-stop". What?
Arrogance causes bicycle accidents; and misconceptions about cyclists. This device can only help. Go away

[Technex @ Dec 21st 2007 7:20AM]

@Jreg

You're one of those idiots that watch your GPS/TV screen when driving correct? I bet you are...


It's called Cross country, not roads, no cars dumbass...

[Mike @ Dec 21st 2007 10:22AM]

tech, I've been a bicyclist since I was a child, and I have seen a number of people get in bad accidents because of the type of arrogance you're exuding. btw, I want your rocket bike, it sounds hot. 11 miles in 20 minutes? I don't see many 30+mph xc bikes out where I'm at.

btw, I have a Miyata Team Carbon, rolling with a sugino 75 carbon grouppo. one of 20 imported from japan.
I also have a jamus XC and Dakota, and a trek liquid 30, and a fuji police, and a few hand-made italian racers, and so on... I also don't like looking over my shoulder, be it off OR on road. it throws off your center of gravity, and causes you to pull to one side.

[Jeebus @ Dec 21st 2007 1:18PM]

"used to ride my bike to work everyday 22 miles everyday there and back done in 20 mins each way"

33 mph on AVERAGE?? Excuse me for doubting that.

[Technex @ Dec 21st 2007 1:36PM]

@Mike

Whoa nice bike, I would love a carbon but a little to expensive (other hobbies)...

I'm not the kind of rider that gets into accidents, infact the only one I had was when some idiot kid on a BMX rode his bike in front of me... Scratched forks but nothing else luckily...

Yeah I average around 30mph, I am pretty tired when I get to work but it's fun. Just gotta watch out for the cars in a few places. Going back I'm a little slower normally 30mins as it's got some more uphill.

@Jeebus

Believe what you want, I don't really mind. It's not really hard once you've been cycling for a while.

[Phil @ Dec 20th 2007 4:52PM]

Looking over ones shoulder while biking is never fun. Not only can you not see much, especially when you're wearing a backpack, but you can lose your balance and stray into other lanes. Which means into other cars, in front of other cars, the curb, or, if you're really unlucky, off a bridge. While I'd never buy one myself (I'd end up trying to put on movies and watch those in stead of the road), it may be useful for some hardcore (rich) commuters.

[edh @ Dec 20th 2007 6:06PM]

Anecdotal evidence that this could be useful: I've actually hit a parked pickup truck looking over my shoulder to see if it was clear behind me so I could turn. My shoulder was skinned up and my ego was severely bruised - no damage to the truck, and nothing broken.

Granted, I'm no pro rider obviously, but I would rather shell out a little dough than have a reason to find out if my company has long-term disability.

[Lt. Ladle @ Dec 20th 2007 4:58PM]

I know carbon fiber bikes are fast and all, but they're not road-legal, are they?

[RikF @ Dec 20th 2007 5:09PM]

what on earth are you talking about?!

[barrywoods @ Dec 20th 2007 5:15PM]

Why wouldn't they? Hell, I've seen cars on the road that aren't street legal. As long as it has front and rear reflectors, it's good to go.

[Lt. Ladle @ Dec 20th 2007 5:30PM]

just find it odd that the rear-view of a bike shows a highway... I don't think anyone could keep up that pace long :p

[ericdj @ Dec 20th 2007 5:46PM]

Perfectly street legal. A cyclist has the legal right to use the lane too.

[Marshall @ Dec 20th 2007 7:01PM]

How many years has it been since you were in a bike shop? Carbon fiber is everywhere.

[Andy @ Dec 20th 2007 7:53PM]

Actually bikes are illegal on alot if not all highways, along with farm implements, mopeds, amish in buggies and a few other slow moving vehicles.

[vince @ Dec 20th 2007 8:10PM]

Cycling on the highways is not prohibited everywhere--it's legal in a lot of areas in the rural western US.

[Lt. Ladle @ Dec 20th 2007 9:00PM]

Ah. I just have difficulty imagining someone biking along the freeways of New Jersey, which is what the picture made me think of :p

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 20th 2007 9:47PM]

I'm not even sure that's an actual highway on the image. It's weird because it's a double lane, but at the same time it has something that looks like a bike lane on the left part of the image. It could just be a busy road and not a highway.

[abadtooth @ Dec 20th 2007 5:01PM]

Thats what I was going to say Phil :P

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 20th 2007 5:43PM]

Actually, that's what I said.. but no one gave me high rank :-(

[Regnad @ Dec 20th 2007 5:03PM]

Ifit plays movies, you'd have something to watch on those long boring cycling marathons....perhaps something motivational like "Breaking away" playing on this thing would help improve your time.... Perhaps not.

[daniel @ Dec 20th 2007 5:15PM]

does it play mp4s?

[Josef @ Dec 20th 2007 5:16PM]

I would be really worried about this thing being..."liberated" from my bike while it's chained up outside a Starbucks.

[Onetruebill @ Dec 20th 2007 6:02PM]

If you go to Starbucks you get what you deserve.

[jps @ Dec 20th 2007 7:04PM]

Most (if not all) high end stuff for bikes comes with a quick-release clamp so you can toss it in your bag when you hop off.

Now whether the camera will also have a quick release clamp, and furthermore whether it'll be worth the effort, is another story.

[Josef @ Dec 20th 2007 6:47PM]

You mean expensive shitty coffee?

[daniel @ Dec 20th 2007 5:16PM]

but seriously, like stillen said, it's a rearview mirror. do you see people being distracted by it?

[paul34 @ Dec 20th 2007 8:35PM]

If they are checking out how good they look, then yes.

[Tyler @ Dec 20th 2007 5:19PM]

I rode my bike 1200 miles across the U.S. this summer and would of killed for one of these when I was on some busy roads.

[jeremy dineen @ Dec 20th 2007 5:43PM]

Anyone who commutes by bike in a city would likely appreciate this. I ride 15Km twice a day through Toronto, and although expensive, it wouldn't be the most expensive part on my bike.

If it's weatherproof and useful at night, I'd buy one for $200.