concept | Evolving Consumer

Bike Filter

Riding a bike can be a good way to get out and get some fresh air – unless of course the air outside isn’t all that fresh. In places like China the air can be quite bad. Mike Andrews of New Castle in the U.K. visited China and realized there was a solution – ride a bike with a large air filter that could help clean the air while riding. He is now developing an electrical generator that can suck in bad air and produces cleaner air.

The key word is cleaner as this can only do so much. But imagine if China could get more cyclists using pedal power to clean the air? It would almost make it breathable.

[Via SeaCoast Online: New spin for bicycle: filtering air pollution]

Gear at Arm’s Length

Batman has his utility belt, James Bond has his gizmos and gadgets and everyone else can have the KODIAK, an integrated fire starting buckle, fire starting tinder, braided fishing line and fishing hook. Jonathan Price and Michael Mojica are not looking to bring this wrist-wearable survival kit out via a Kickstarter project.

If the end of the world comes this might be a bracelet that does a whole more than make a statement or support a cause. It might be one that actually helps you survive. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (05.11.2013): Bike Way, Caffeine Fix, California Dreaming, Push It Board

Bike Way

From Motherboard: In 1897, a Bicycle Superhighway Was the Future of California Transit
In 1897, a wealthy American businessman named Horace Dobbins began construction on a private, for-profit bicycle superhighway that would stretch from Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles. It may seem like a preposterous notion now—everyone knows Angelenos don’t get out of their cars—but at the time, amidst the height of a pre-automobile worldwide cycling boom, the idea attracted the attention of some hugely powerful players. And it almost got built. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.11.2013): Bike Way, Caffeine Fix, California Dreaming, Push It Board

Goggles to (Insta)Beat

Swimmers don’t get a lot of sensory data while in the pool. There have been efforts to provide ways to train with music and many heart rate monitors are now swimming compatible. But unlike with running and cycling, it isn’t so easy to see the watch while engaged even in long distance activities.

This is where the Instabeat could come in. The device is now being developed via an Indiegogo campaign.

The device provides a heart rate reading from the temporal artery so no heart rate strap is required across the chest, while a head strap to the goggles provides the read out via a colored LED that is projected directly to the eyes. This helps swimmers track their heart rate while actually swimming to determine if they are at their own specific fat burning, fitness or maximum performance heart rate. The device even tracks calories burned, while a motion sensor tracks laps, flip turns and breathing patterns for a post-workout analysis. Video after the jump

Strike Back

Why should the legs get all the fun during a bike ride? Let’s ask that another way – why should the legs do all the work on a bike ride? The truth is that the arms get a workout too, but now retired surgeon Lex Van Stekelenburg has devised a concept that will truly put the arms to work.

He had designed the 4StrikeBike, which in addition to the conventional leg-powered drivetrain, also calls on the rider to use his/her arms to help provide power. This is done by turning the handlebar like a second set of pedals and crank. The hand pedals can be locked into the highest position to provide a more stable stance to let the legs do the work as well – and this allows the arms to be used to provide that extra bit of power.

4StrikeBike Official Website

Screwy Idea

The electric bike trend continues, and electric assisted bikes are being touted as a way to help make climbs easier for those on two wheels. Now a similar electrical concept is catching on for snowboards.

This is where the Propul~surf comes in. It basically takes the Archimedes design of a screw to create forward momentum. This concept was used for centuries to raise water and apparently it could help snowboarders get up a hill as well. We of course though that was what the ski lift was for! Video after the jump

Fiber Vest

Everyone needs their daily fiber, but Noxgear thinks it isn’t the fiber you ingest but rather the fiber optics you wear. The Dayton, Ohio start up is looking to roll with its Fiber Optic Athletic Gear, which can help runners, cyclists or just anyone else heading out at night be seen.

The company is now wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign to bring out the Torch model for team-based activities, while the Tracer is aimed at running, walking and riding. Both models will provide 360 degree coverage and can be worn over t-shirts or even coats. Video after the jump

Atom Bomb

Siva Cycle has launched its Atom Bomb. Well not really, but the company has launched its Kickstarter campaign for the Siva Cycle Atom, which aims to power your life on pedal stroke at a time.

The Atom is designed to be a lightweight yet highly efficient bicycle generator and rechargeable battery pack that can mount to most bicycle frames in a snap. The Atom is designed with top of the line magnetic rotors and features a lithium battery.

The idea is that you can power your devices while you pedal. Video after the jump

Take Away Bike

Many people order food to go, but the Sandwichbike isn’t so much like a sandwich that you’d order and have made for you, but would be akin to getting all the pieces and then assembling yourself. The “sandwich” part is really that it is consists of two weather-coated frames of plywood that are bonded together. The bike ships in a box and includes all the tools and parts to build a complete bike.

The Sandwichbike will be ready to take out later this year.

Sandwichbike Official Website

DI-MOVE-WAVE

If that 1970s TV show Goodtimes were still on the air more people would get the headline reference, but regardless the DIMOVE WAVEpro is still something different and eye catching. It is a balance board device that offers a challenge for users just trying to stand on it. The creators say it can be used in 70 different ways, but seeing it we have to wonder if that includes draping clothes and collecting dust.

While we’re not calling this out as a (Mis)Shift we’d need to hear more about what this one has to offer before fully getting on board, or even on it! Video after the jump

Loop De Loop

While Sam Pearce of Loopwheels hasn’t actually reinvented the wheel he has put a new spin on it with this design that drops the convention spokes in favor of three carbon springs. The rational is that these provide integral suspension along with added comfort when riding.

This design still relies on conventional hub and hub brake with hub gears. Pearce is now trying to get things rolling via a Kickstarter project. Video after the jump

Read and Run

Early reading lessons for kids often consist of “see Dick run,” “see Spot run,” and of course “see Jane run.” However, actually reading while running isn’t really so easy – even on a treadmill. There are stands that can allow for placement of a book or magazine but the motion of running can make it hard to concentrate on the words.

This is where the ReadingMate comes in as this new system, which is being developed at Purdue University, utilizes a video monitor with head-tracking technology to keep onscreen text bobbing in unison with a runner’s eyes. The monitor also increased font size making it easier to see. All this should help runners stay focused on what they are reading and that could help runners put in more time on the treadmill.

[Via Purdue University: System allows multitasking runners to read on a treadmill]

Cross and Kix

EVA or ethylene vinyl acetate is a great material for footwear because it is essentially waterproof and durable. It has been used more for clogs and sandal type footwear but Crosskix is looking to create an athletic shoe, and has looked to Kickstarter to “kix” things out.

The Crosskix aren’t meant to replace team sport shoes where cleats are worn, but could be good as a light training shoe, and certainly as a post-workout recovery shoe. If these get dirty there is no problem, as these are made of EVA the Crosskix can be hosed off and are ready to wear. Video after the jump