bicycle
Latest
Panasonic's Lithium Vivi RX-10S electric bike does regenerative braking
We're still a bit unconvinced about this whole "using our own energy to induce motion" thing, but if you got restless leg or some other siren call to the bicycle, the Lithium Vivi RX-10S seems the way to go. Panasonic is launching the bike in Japan this August, and stuffed in some fancy hybrid car-style regenerative braking to set it apart from the pack (though Sanyo does have something similar). There are four levels of assistance electric motor assistance, which means you're probably going to end up peddling now and then, but the bike's range with regenerative braking to power a secondary battery is almost 78 miles, compared to 56 miles without it. You'll obviously benefit more if you have a lot of hills and "stop and go" type stuff on your commute, but that's certainly nothing to scoff at.
Hope's Aeris bicycle begs to get run over
Okay, so maybe Hope's forthcoming Aeris isn't that bad, but it is somewhat hard to believe that sensors were installed in the handlebars to "prevent accidents" if some demented designer didn't fully expect this thing to be a vehicle magnet. Designed for the urban tools hipsters in attendance, this bike is reportedly constructed from Hybrix, a material "supposedly as tough as stainless steel but lighter than aluminum." Beyond that, details are few and far between, but cyclists should be able to find out more when it launches this fall for around five large.[Via ShinyShiny]
O2 showcases pedal-powered cellphone charger
Motorola so had this down pat last year, but we suppose O2 is just showcasing its pedal-powered charging system now that such devices are all the rage. Just days after we had a look at two unorthodox chargers from Orange, along comes rival O2 with a bicycle-related alternative. Reportedly, the eco-friendly device will be demonstrated at the O2 Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park, but unfortunately, each of the demo bikes will be stationary. Still no word on whether O2 has a mind to take this thing commercial, but for cyclists the world over, here's to hoping it does.[Thanks, Adam]
Pulsejet-powered bicycle, for those leisurely commutes
There's just something about people strapping jet engines to things they have no business being strapped to that brings a twinkle to our eyes, and Robert Maddox's pulsejet-powered bicycle is no exception. Maddox actually sells pulsejets on eBay ranging from fourteen to over a thousand pounds of thrust, and the fifty-pounder in this video is capable of moving his bicycle at a whopping 75MPH. Sure, it's loud, but at least it's more practical than that jet-powered Port-a-Potty. Video after the break.[Via AutoBlogGreen]
DIYer uses mountain bike to pedal around Google Earth
Not quite sure what's up with the recent influx of bicycle-related DIY jobs, but nevertheless, we've another one on our hands here with Mike's Flying Bike. Essentially, Mike utilized a SunSPOT as well as a plethora of other sensors in order to modify his mountain bike for use as a Google Earth controller. In ET-like fashion, he's now able to pedal around various locations in the world, simultaneously burning through excess calories, opening his mind to new locales and monumentally inflating his ego. If you've got seven minutes to spare, you can check this thing out in action just beyond the break.[Via Google Earth Blog, thanks Roger]
Cyclepong 2.0 beautifully weds exercise with Pong
It's unofficially official: humans will never, ever stop figuring out new ways to play Pong. Further proof of said statement comes in the form of Cyclepong 2.0, an update to a marvelous project that combines the art of biking with the joy of playing Pong. Put simply, the inventor created an arcade-like installation with a pair of exercise bikes, an LCD screen and customized software that enables a pair of individuals to pedal forward and back in order to move their pixels. For those in England (Suffolk, to be precise), you can actually get in a game for yourself at Southwold Pier, but everyone else will have to be satisfied with the demonstrative video posted after the jump.
Electric Motion Systems E+ electric bike: $3,495 for two wheels
Believe it or not, Electric Motion Systems' E+ actually isn't the priciest electric bicycle we've ever seen, but at $3,495 sans chauffeur, it's a far cry from being a bargain. Aside from boasting a relatively traditional frame, the unit gets powered by an EMS 1000-watt hub-mounted, brushless permanent magnet motor, which should provide 20 to 40 miles of fun on a single charge. Proving its intelligence, the E+ also supports regenerative braking, which enables the battery to get charged each time the rider slams the stoppers. You'll also find a handlebar-mounted LCD display which shows speed, distance traversed, battery level and whether or not cruise control is enabled. Yeah. Cruise control, son. Suddenly, $3,495 seems quite reasonable, no?[Via AutoblogGreen]
Dutch cyclists lobbying for external airbags on cars
Sure, there's always the airbag-equipped motorcycle, but for those who prefer to power their own two wheel transporters, you're pretty much on your own. The Dutch Cycling Federation has just cranked out a study showing that some 60 lives could be saved each year (though we're not sure if that's worldwide or region-specific) if airbags were installed on the hoods of vehicles. These external safety devices could also slash serious cycling injuries by 1,500 a year, and while you're likely passing this off as completely infeasible, Sweden's own Autoliv has already developed a bag that "inflates from the bottom of the windscreen." Of course, these timid cyclists could just wait until 2010 and strap on a wearable airbag of their own, but where's the fun in that?[Via Autoblog]
Tokyo's Kasai Station gets robotic bicycle-parking contraption
We've seen a couple of robotic car parking garages in the past, but Tokyo's Kasai Station seems to have found another use for the same idea, with it now employing the services of an enormous bicycle-parking contraption that can store some 9,400 bikes. As you can see for yourself in the video after the break, the system is able to gobble up your bike and pull it down into the bowels of the garage with slightly terrifying efficiency, and at a cost of just ¥100 (about a buck) no less -- or ¥1,800 for a monthly pass. No word if they've had anyone try to stay on their bike and take a ride into the beast, although we'd assume there are some sort of safeguards in place to prevent those sorts of shenanigans.
Little 500 spinning to HDNet
On this week's podcast we got down a little bit on oval course racing, but if you want to check out a different take on the theme, tune in to HDNet on April 11th and 12th. For the sixth year, the network will be broadcasting the "Little 500" from Indiana University. It's an oval all right, but the event is all about fixed-gear single-speed bicycles with coaster brakes on a quarter-mile cinder track. No matter whether they're a "cutter" or a "frat boy," riders must use an event-provided bike with no mods and must make switches during the event. Think you were fast on that banana-seat Schwinn (complete with "are you kidding me" toptube-mounted gearshift) as a kid? Think again.[Image courtesy BikeIcons]
Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle is almost cheating
Yeah, there's already a few folks out there depriving themselves of adequate exercise by choosing to cruise on an electric bike, but those who've yet to take the plunge now have yet another alternative. Panasonic's Titanium Flat Road EB electric bicycle isn't likely to be certified for use in the Tour de France, but it can propel riders a maximum of ten kilometers in around half an hour (or up to 150 kilometers if you use your own strength every now and then). Additionally, the bike features a Smart Lithium-Ion Integrated Management System (SLIM) to display remaining battery life and the distance left before your legs will be forced to take over. No word on a price just yet, but there's plenty of pics in the via link below.[Via AkihabaraNews]
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]
Bicycle tire rocks Hello Kitty tread pattern, world wonders why
Just when you thought Hello Kitty had touched everything she possibly could, along comes a bicycle tire (of all things) to prove you wrong. Stock up now for $25.99 apiece.[Via OhGizmo, image courtesy of Nirve]
Valeswood's Pearl: the hydrogen powered bike
Listen -- we know you want to do your part for the environment, but you don't have to wear jean shorts while doing it. By all means, take a gander at the Valeswood Pearl hydrogen-fueled, power-assisted bicycle, which motors up to 15 MPH and takes you about 80 miles before you need to juice the batteries. When you're finished with all the hard labor of pedaling, the bike folds up neatly and can be tucked away in the trunk of your 9 MPG SUV. If you're the eco-centric cat or kitten that we think you are, you're not going to be too miffed about that $4000 price tag, and we're sure the only kind of short you'll be rocking will be of the organic hemp variety. We wish we could say the same for the chap in the photo.
Virtual bicycles, real cause
Second Life is a great place for nonprofits and altruistic causes to connect with like-minded people. Real conversations can be had there, and real friendships have formed through working toward a common goal. In that spirit, Virtual Africa is the SL build currently under development by Uthango Social Investments, a charity based in Capetown, South Africa. They're currently running a fundraising drive through SL for a new Opportunity Center for unemployed job seekers. "The Opportunity Centre is a revamped cow shed that we need to equip with computers, office resources and mentors to assist job seekers, small entrepreneurs and community members in making their own way out of poverty by actively pursuing their dreams," said Dorette Steenkamp, co-executive director of Uthango. "The [e]bizikile fundraising event is meant to bring attention to how bicycles fit into the economy in African cities and rural towns." Basically, residents can buy a bicycle designed by Shukran Fahid of !BooPeRFunK! for L$250, and choose to contribute to a fund for buying a real Capetown resident a bicycle. SL charity organization Charitable Hearts is helping to organize this effort to get the SL community involved in making a real world difference in someone's life. For more information on this fundraiser, contact Enakai Ultsch or Alanagh Recreant in-world.[Thanks, Cybergrrl!]
Switchbike goes from bicycle to Chopper in seconds flat
We've certainly seen a few unique bicycles in our day, but the Switchbike truly caters to a very unique crowd. This interesting creation, seen at Holland Innovation, looks like your average cruiser at first glance, but by simply leaning back and pulling up the handlebars, this thing becomes downright Chopper-like. Reportedly, the inventor is still looking for firms to take this thing commercial, but feel free to check out the in-action demonstration waiting after the jump.
Electrobike Pi: the pricey hybrid electric bicycle
Hot on the heels of Matra's MS1 comes yet another human / electric-powered hybrid bike, but Marcus Levison-Hays' Electrobike Pi definitely rocks a more unorthodox design. This blindingly red transporter "combines the lightweight portability of a bicycle with speed and self-propulsion more akin to a motorcycle," as it includes a 36-volt pack of NiMH batteries that provides "about one horsepower" to the 58-pound device. The unit can be fully charged "from any standard household outlet in 2.5 to 3 hours and can run for 25 to 30 miles," and according to a report from the LA Times, the 20mph maximum stock speed can be increased to around 46mph "with a little after-market hot rodding." Granted, the base price on this thing is said to be around $7,500, so it looks like the most of us will have to stick with the trusty Huffy ten-speed for the time being.[Via AutoblogGreen]
cy-fi: the wireless iPod speaker for your bicycle
Although it's certainly debatable whether or not the cy·fi truly is the "world's first wireless bicycle speaker and ultimate iPod accessory," it does look fairly well thought out. Aside from boasting an admittedly stylish design, the device weighs in at around three-ounces, mounts on nearly any frame, plays nice with your iPod / iPod nano and offers up six-hours of battery life. Additionally, it supports "multipoint broadcasting to up to four cy·fi speakers," and it's slated to hit bike stores in early 2008 for $149.95.[Via PlaylistMag]
Garmin intros two bike-centric GPS units
If you've been riding your bike around town, yet finding yourself completely stupefied when you need to make directional decisions, perhaps you need to check into Garmin's latest cycle-friendly GPS boxes -- the Edge 605 and 705. The latter -- which is the company's higher-end bike-mountable unit -- comes crammed with a slew of features aimed at cycling enthusiasts hoping to get more out of their workout, including automatic speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, and descent tracking, plus the ability to review the recorded data. The 705 also has an array of add-ons that further assist the obsessed dedicated rider to suss out his or her performance levels, including a heart rate monitor and a speed / cadence sensor. The lower-priced Edge 605 takes a slightly less hardcore approach, though still delivers on skill-testing functions like "Virtual Partner," which allows you to "race" a ghost-competitor over a specified distance and speed, and "Courses," which lets you make a rival out of yourself by clocking your performance against a previously recorded run. Both devices will make an appearance in December, with the 705 ranging in price from $499.99 to $649.99 (depending on the configuration) and the 605 will be $399.99.
The automatic Bike Dispenser -- like PEZ but good for you
For those not familiar with portable-urban travel: that's a bicycle. In fact, it's one of several bicycles wedged inside this "Bike Dispenser" created by the Dutch-based (of course) design agency, Springtime. The concept has actually been floating around since 2005 in The Netherlands but it recently won the Spark Design & Architecture Award causing the world to take notice. The idea here is to offer these RFID-tagged bikes to riders in cities supporting bike rental or bike exchange programs. The garages then, would be conveniently scattered around places like train stations and tourist hot-spots to automagically dispense your new ride. This automated system has completed a pilot and is now being worked into the national OV-fiets (public transport bicycle) service in Holland which rents a bicycle for € 2.75 ($3.71) per 20 hours. Unfortunately, the Bike Dispenser relies upon a uniform bicycle design leaving it helpless to relieve the crushing mass of "parked" bicycles seen in Amsterdam and like-minded cities across Europe and Asia. Still, as a quick and dirty, eco-transport solution in-a-box, what's not to like? [Via Core77 Design Blog]
