Connected Cycle Keeps You… Connected
What if we lived in a world where our bikes didn’t get stolen while we’re inside a café ordering coffee? What if you always knew your bike was safe, no matter how far away from it you were? What if you were always connected to your bike?
Connected Cycle allows all of that with smart pedals. They were designed for everyone: the commuter, the cyclist, the leisure user – anyone with an adult-sized bike. Using a dedicated app, you can be connected to your bike no matter where you are (or where it is).
These smart pedals are extra smart thanks to some clever engineering. Rather than use WiFi or Bluetooth, both of which would require your bike to be within a range, Connected Cycle uses its own internet. Enclosed in the left pedal is a cellular chip with an unlimited SIM card. This means that the pedal can record your riding stats and also be located no matter where you are as long as you have access to the app.
The even better part is that Connected Cycle is autonomous; users simply need to pedal in order to provide power to the device. When not in use, or if unfortunately stolen, Connected Cycle has a small amount of reserve power so you can still update your stats or find your bike.
The app is designed for two reasons: track down your bike and provide information about your journey.
Tracking down your stolen or lost bike has never been so easy. You simply launch the app and bring up the map to see where it is as well as the shortest walking distance to it. The app will alert you whenever your bike has moved whether someone has taken it for a spin or put it in the back of their car. The reserve power in the bike (if not in motion) will still allow it to connect to the app. So, whether your bike has been stolen or you’ve left it on a drunken night out, Connected Cycle will help you get it back.
The stats recorded by the app are quite diverse (thanks to some additional funding on Indiegogo). You can see your route, incline, calories, distance (daily, weekly, or monthly), speed (both average and top), and even see your cadence (which comes up live during your journey). The app can also integrate with other popular apps on the market such as Apple Health Kit, MyFitnessPal, and Strava. Your information is stored on the cloud from the pedals so you don’t always need to worry about taking your phone with you.
Needing to fit a variety of users and bikes, Connected Cycle pedals are pretty standard size. Each is 120 mm long, 102 mm wide, and only 38 mm high. The left pedal, which contains the technology, weighs 390 grams while the right, the “dummy” pedal, is just 290 grams. They’re made of aluminum and plastic and come in black, red, green, blue, and orange to suit any style. A wrench for easy installation and optional straps are also included in the kit. Connected Cycle works with any phone running on iOS 7 and up or Android 4.0 and up but the cellular chip only works in some EU countries and USA.
By hitting their Indiegogo target out of the park with over $150k, the team are looking to incorporate more ideas into the device. Future versions will include an app with multiple languages, clip shoe compatibility, and the ability to share your stats with friends.
Connected Cycle will begin to ship in December and should cost around $190.
