concept | Evolving Consumer

Hammer on the Road

Hammering while riding means going all out and possibly a bit more, but the Hammerhead Navigation system could be a way to help you navigate streets and trails with ease. This compact, portable device affixes to the handlebar and guides you via an LED light array.

This system, which communicates with an Android or iOS app via Bluetooth Smart, provides turn-by-turn directions. This can include crowd sourced route suggestions offering the best possible options to get from point A to point B. It is even designed to work with bike share programs including Bixi and B-Cycle.

Hammerhead Navigation is now looking to Dragon Innovation to raise funding.

Hammerhead Dragon Innovation Site

Get HIP About Head Injuries

An active lifestyle can be good for the body – unless of course you fall on your head. Numerous studies have shown the dangers that an impact to the head can have, and HIP-TEC is looking to change the way helmets are made.

HIP-TEC’s research has come about thanks to Nick Turner, a former pro kayaker and founder of WRSI helmets. He is now working to focus exclusively on head injury prevention technology. But HIP-TEC isn’t actually making helmets, and instead is looking to make helmet designs safer.

The company offers a patent pending layered design to lower the amount of G forces to a wearer’s head during an impact. This is accomplished by using all of the layers or just a few depending on the speed of the impact. The result is reportedly a helmet that protects just as well at slow speed as high.

Video and Press Release After the Jump

Going Backwards?

With a free wheel you can pedal backwards and all you get is a ratchet sound. With a coaster brake pedaling backwards will stop you, and with a fixed gear pedaling backwards will stop you and could even have you go backwards. That is all fairly easy to follow.

biXe Italia had another idea, that would allow pedaling forward or backwards but where pedaling in either direction would still propel the rider forward. This isn’t so much about the bike but rather the gear system, which can take backward pedaling but still allow the chain and drivetrain to function as if the rider were pedaling normally. What’s the rational to this? According to the company this allows different muscle groups to be worked. Genius or confusing… you decide. Continue reading Going Backwards?

The True Wingman

How should you dress if you are a “wingman?” While you might think it would involve a nice suit, to be a true wingman consider the Squirrel Wingsuits, which allow wearers to jump off a cliff and glide much like Rocky the Flying Squirrel. Of course the suits won’t break your fall – so be warned.

Squirrel Wingsuits Official Website

Light Apparel

There have been various attempts to help add some lights to cyclists and runners who might head out at night, and now EroGear is introducing its Fos line of wearable LEDs. These can be programmed to shimmer, offer words and generally make riders a lot more visible.

The system consists of a Velcro-lined fabric patch that contains a super-bright LED grid that can be programmed wirelessly via Bluetooth from a mobile phone or other device.The device reportedly weighs less than a golf ball, but is bright enough that it can be seen even at distance, and can run for several hours on a charge.

The developers are currently looking to Kickstarter to get the light show on the road. Continue reading Light Apparel

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Golf Board?

Perhaps there should be a Kickstopped instead of a Kickstarter – case in point is the Golf Board, a project that is looking to create a standup electric golf cart. This is one we wanted to like, but found it to be a little misguided. With a few days to go it isn’t clear if the designers will get the funding, so apparently we’re not alone in thinking that maybe walking nine holes isn’t such a problem!

Golf Board Kickstarter Site

Hen Pecked

If you live to skate then why not look to step up with some serious looking wheels for the board. The Lil Red Hen Skateboard Wheels, which are currently be developed via a Kickstarter project by Steven Troy Devote of Redlands California, are solid aluminum wheels/hubcaps that offer replaceable polyurethane treads.

The result is a lightweight, durable set of wheels that are ready to roll and look good in the process! Video after the jump

Docking Station

We’ve seen a variety of bike racks, wall mounts and other storage options, but the Bike Dock is certainly a novel one. This hideaway bicycle/gear storage rack, which was designed by Dave Custer of Bend, Oregon is currently a Kickstarter project.

He reportedly came upon this idea when he found he had not room to park multiple bikes in his single car garage and yet wanted more than a generic wall rack. The result was the Bike Dock, which is made of powdercoated steel and a few springs. As with a few other racks we’ve seen this one can fold up when not needed – and has that industrial art look to it.

When it is needed, it provides a place to hang a bike along with ample storage for a helmet and other gear. Video after the jump

Put a Brake On It

Skateboards can get going really fast and can pick up some serious speed. The Disc Brakes for Longboard project on Kickstarter is devising a system to slow it down. As noted by the name this essentially adds a braking system to boards.

This brake design, which was devised by Benjamin Newman, consists of two independent core clutches; an outer aluminum drum that is lined with friction material while an inner core is made of stainless steel. A pair of spring-loaded levers can be used to apply the brakes.

Unlike foot braking or power-sliding this doesn’t require the same level of riding skill, and more importantly can be used on hill descents or on flats. It can even be retro-fitted to existing boards, while pushing and sliding are not affected by the braking system. Video after the jump

Swell Idea Indeed

Most surfboard designers tend to be old surfers, but two Delaware teens are looking to launch their own surfboard business. Delmarvanow reported: “Clay Reynolds, a 15-year-old sophomore at Indian River High School from Ocean View, and Amber Starr Davis, a 19-year-old sophomore at Delaware Technical & Community College from Dagsboro, are joining forces to create a series of custom boards for surfers and surfing fans, alike.”

Reynolds might be just 15 but he has reportedly been surfing most of his life, and has been building boards for more than a year. Davis has been painting custom skateboard decks and now it has blossomed into a custom surfboard project.

To build a board takes about a month, which for these young builders might seem like ages.

[Via Delmarvanow: A swell idea: Local teens create custom surfboards]

Won’t Fade Away

Some things just fade away, but that’s not what the designers of the FADER Boards hope will happen with their Kickstarter project, which is looking to help roll out a new line of skateboards. Part of the idea is to look cool with LED lights to allow skating at night.

However, this is only part of what Kramer Kitty is hoping to do with his FADER boards. He’s been creating a simple board that can be used to “cruise” as a means of transportation. In many cases he was recycling old decks to create new boards. He is now looking to provide free boards and even roller blades to struggling communities. All was going well, until he received a notice from the city calling for him to stop making boards in his garage.

Now he’s turning to crowd funding to help have the boards made in California and get his business rolling. Continue reading Won’t Fade Away

Skateboard Class

Green Bay middle students won’t be allowed to ride skateboards in class, but they’ll be able to learn to build them from scratch. While some students will opt to use the boards, others are in to test their design and graphic art skills.

Art teacher Sara Tlachac reportedly thought it was a way to get students working with their hands to create something unique, and more importantly that they could even use. Certainly beats the papier-mâché animals we made in class!

[Via NBC26: Partners in Education: Skateboard Making Class]

Pathfinding Shoe

The Vibram Smart Concept Sole could help you find your way after dark. Introduced at the recent Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City these shoes feature a remote controlled LED lighting system that allows the soles of the shoe to illuminate the ground.

The concept was inspired by the need of military, law enforcement and firefighting personnel but it could be ideal for those who look to run after the sun goes down – or before it comes up. The shoes’ LEDs offer three brightness settings, and even a flashing red LED tail light so runners can be seen as well as see where they are going.

Vibram Official Website
[Via GizMag: Vibram Smart Concept Sole gives footwear headlights]