concept | Evolving Consumer

Signal to Turn – On the Back

Cyclists don’t always stand out to drivers, and even when riders try to signal this isn’t so easily understood by those in the car. The Safe Enjoy Interact Light (SEIL) system is a water-resistant LED light grid that can mount directly on a backpack. It can be controlled wireless via Bluetooth to a lever on the handlebar mount.

On a single charge the light should be good for hours, providing plenty of time for commuters to ride to work and signal lane changes and more. Designer Myung Su Lee is now looking to Kickstarter to get the SEIL Bag on riders’ backs. Video after the jump

The Grand Canyon

German bicycle maker Canyon has created many interesting concept bikes, and the company is still on quite the roll. Among its latest concepts is a two speed belt drive urban bike that features integrated lights, a built-in locking system, mudguards, non-slip flat pedals, hydraulic disc brakes and even a removable shopping basket. This is the sort of bike that would be ideal for commuting in urban and suburban locales. Too bad it is just a concept, but we’ll be sure to watch and see if this grand ideal from Canyon takes off.

[Via Bicycle Design: Canyon Urban Concept Bike]

Speak Up

“What did you say? I couldn’t hear you! That’s because I’m wearing headphones that block the outside world.”

We’ve all been there in one way or another, but Lou Tortola of Windsor, Canada is looking to change this with the AudioPLUX speaker system for cyclist. Tortola is now looking to Kickstarter to develop these speakers, which are meant to be “away from the ear” while still providing solid audio quality.

The idea is that these won’t suppress ambient sounds, but will still let you enjoy the tunes. Video after the jump

Chopping at the Bit

There are plenty of durable and very secure bike locks on the market, but one problem is that if you lose the key you’re bike isn’t exactly accessible. However, Mehrdad Majzoobi is looking to launch a Kickstarter project for the BitLock, which turns a smartphone into the key for the lock.

This works with iOS and Android and takes advantage of Bluetooth technology. In addition to providing a secure key that you hopefully won’t use, it also records the location of the bike lock via GPS, which can allow multiple users to “share” a bike and find it when it is needed.

We’ll be sure to watch this project and let readers know when it goes live.

BitLock Kickstarter Site

Dutch Cycle Intersections

httpv://youtu.be/FlApbxLz6pA

Coming to a busy intersection is what may be most worrisome for many cyclists, but apparently the Dutch are considering some options as the video above demonstrates. While not exactly a new video, it is making the rounds again and shows that there are better ways bike lanes can be integrated into the urban infrastructure.

Bicycle Boot Kicks It up

When we think of a boot for a bicycle we’re thinking of something you wear on your feet, but the Buca Boot is really taking the British concept that the “boot” is the trunk of a car, as in the place for storage and transporting of things. Designed for the urban rider who has to often carry more than just his/herself, this storage space attaches to the rack of the bicycle and can carry big things such as groceries, while side panniers can be used to increase the load size. There is also the option to close up and lock the Boot protect smaller stuff – and thanks to the gasket around the lid items placed inside can endure some weather such as rain or even snow.

The Buca Boot is the brainchild of designer Kathryn Carlson, who launched a Kickstarter project to bring this one to market. Continue reading Bicycle Boot Kicks It up

The Colt Takes Aim

The has been a move to composite hockey sticks over the years, but these come at a cost – namely that the sticks cost around $300 or so. However, Daniel Lucchesi sees that these offer an advantage over wooden sticks, and he’s launched Colt Hockey to create composite sticks that are covered in nano-tech cladding that makes these virtually unbreakable.

These sticks are no less inflexible or heavy than traditional composite sticks, and Lucchesi is looking to Kickstarter to raise funding to bring these to market.

The coating, which was licensed from Canadian based Integran Technologies, was developed for hydraulic components in the aerospace and defense markets. This process, which is similar in concept to chrome plating, adds a thin layer of the nanocrystalline that gives the sticks a steel-like durability, but allows the stick to remain flexible. This could be one hockey stick that is ready to take aim. Video after the jump

Put a Finger on It

Having a firearm requires responsibility to ensure that it is locked and secure. The Gun Box, which was designed by Ryan Hyde, doesn’t require a key or combination but rather only lets the authorized user access it via a RFID-equipped bracelet or fingerprint scanner. Hyde is currently looking to raise money to bring the Gun Box to retail via an Indiegogo campaign.

The safe’s shell is made from die-cast aluminum that will ensure the wrong person can’t access the firearm inside, whilst the locking mechanism utilizes motorized servos to prevent someone from prying it open.

This box can be programmed for multiple users, plus it features an accelerometer and will send an alert to your smartphone if it’s moved or tampered with, while it can even be monitored via GPS. It isn’t exactly cheap at nearly $400, but can you really put a price on safety and security? Continue reading Put a Finger on It

Drink Fit

Throughout the day how much effort to you make to track your hydration? While calories and even what you ate might be counted, what you drink often isn’t. However, the BluFit could change all that. It is an intelligent water bottle that works in synchronization with a smartphone will help consumers maintain optimum levels of hydration. Through the smart bottle and app, BluFit will determine how much water you need, how much you have consumed and will alert you when it’s time to hydrate. Video after the jump

Made in America: Magic Mushroom

We’ve seen a lot of efforts to make surfboards a whole lot greener, and this has included boards made of recycled and reclaimed materials, but the guys at Mushroom Surfboards are growing boards – via mushrooms. In other words Mushroom Surfboards by Ecovative Design isn’t just a clever name, it is actually what the boards are made from!

The company has created a Myco Foam technology that was first developed in 2007 and uses shroom-based materials for its structure. This means the surfboard “blanks” are entirely biodegradable but also produced from what would otherwise be agricultural waste, such as plant stalks and seed husks, and mycelium. Video after the jump

Interbike 2013: Slide Out

There is often a worry that when using the front brakes on a bicycle that it could propel you over the handlebars. That would stop you in more ways than one. This is where the Slidepad system comes in.

It actually allows both the front and rear brakes to be applied on a single lever, but in such a way that the front brake won’t lock up and turn the bicycle into a catapult! This works with traditional-style cable and housing running from the handlebars to the rear brake – but the system only works with rim brakes not the more modern discs.

As the user squeezes the brakes it operates both the rear and front – with the latter being activated being just a split second earlier, thus ensuring a smooth braking. Video after the jump

Stick Sensor

We’ve seen sensors make their way to all sorts of devices and the Quattriuum Team is looking to deliver the Powershot, the first performance sensor for hockey players via a Kickstarter project. The Powershot sensor, which is designed to attach to a hockey stick, can reportedly measure the puck speed, acceleration, shot speed, duration and angle of slapshots and snapshots.

The Powershot can further learn how the user plays and targets both strengths and weaknesses and follow progress over time while comparing performance to other players. It weighs only 50 grams and can store up to 1,000 shots – moreover it can sync with the FWD Powershot app for Android and iOS device. Video after the jump

Fortified Light Promises to Go the Distance

The concept of “planned obsolescence” is very much alive and well today. If products last forever then the company making it would eventually find itself out of business. But apparently Slava Menn didn’t take the business studies class that explained this fact.

He’s going against the grain with his Kickstarter project to launch Fortified: Bike Lights That Last Forever. While he’s about half way through his crowd funding campaign he’s long since surpassed his goals. The MIT grad is looking to create a line of bike lights that aren’t just durable, but are also theft-proof.

The new concept includes the Aviator, a head light, and the Afterburner tail light. Both feature a water- and shockproof aluminum construction and attach to the bike via a custom security screw – making it very hard for thieves to steal the light. Each of these LED lights is further powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged via USB, and both lights will go the distance. On a single charge the Aviator can run for about 40 hours while the Afterburner won’t burn out for 200+ hours!

Menn knows a thing or two about Kickstarter campaigns too, as he successfully launched The Defender last year and has since sold 5,000 to city cyclists around the world. Now he’s looking to create a street-proof light that is invincible, theft-proof and comes with a lifetime, “no-matter-what-guarantee.” If anyone can deliver on this promise we think Menn is just the man. Video after the jump