I’m picking up good vibrations
More than ever before, there’s a broad menu of information available to the data-hungry rider. Speed, distance, cadence, location, navigation, power, lighting, and approaching vehicle detection are all available today- but we’ve never seen them all combined into one bicycle. Chinese company Costelo has done just this- and it’s actually pretty impressive (even in its somewhat unfinished state).
While it would be enough to tidily integrate a computer and light into a carbon fibre bar/stem combo, Costello also build ANT+ power meter cranks (~£250 at retail) and an integrated seatpost “quasi-military level radar” to detect approaching automobiles. When a car is determined to be coming on too closely or quickly, the rider is notified by a vibrating deice in the Smart’s seatmast.
Similarly, turn-by-turn directions are communicated to the rider by vibrating handlebar inserts- a buzzing right grip indicating a right turn. The materials provided also mention a G-force sensor, presumably for accident detection and emergency notification. Despite some dangling wires, the system appeared functional and the backlit OLED screen appeared easy to read even with a high-gloss cover. It is an impressive effort and may well be a sign of things to come.
