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The Ultimate Bike
Lenbok writes: "The guys at Dallas Semiconductors have been busy. They've wired a bicycle (pix here) with a local microLAN of web-addressable sensors including temperature sensors, addressable switches, A/D converters, iButtons, and chips to manage battery functions. Quiet electric power, exercised on demand, a full instrument panel (via palmpilot), data login, a Web page for your eBike, and even e-mail while traveling. What more could you ask for? GPS integration? That's on its way." [timothy butts in ...] And don't forget that this is only if you want a semi-normal lookin' electric bike. Don't forget that Steve Roberts has been crankin' the pedals of a series of very wired bikes (and now boats) for a long time. Check out his Nomadic Research Labs for some of the coolest because-we-can technology (home-brewed, and re-purposed COTS stuff) you're likely to find on this planet.
Hi,
First of all, as many people I know here in Switzerland, whenever we are on a bike, we just renew our oxygen while riding the fastest possible, it is a sport, not only a transportation mean. This device seems to be too distractive for a hurry or sportive guy that usually take his bike to change his mind an healthy way.
More than in a car, where handy usage is strongly discouraged, a small loss of attention while riding a bike may have huge consequences : loss of equilibrium, accident, etc. So, I just suggest we avoid such tech/sport mix in this case.
2nd, as mountain bikes popularity as increased even more during the last decade, I just can't imagine that this bike could be solid enough to resists a tiny sidewalk jump.
BTW, they seemed to be too modest to just indicates its weight... I bet people riding more than one mile a day won't want this probably heavy thing.
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Trolling using another account since 2005.
Yes, now you can actually physically transport a running program from A to B. Mobile agents are the future!
But seriously, what else should you run to achieve the same functionality at the same development cost?
Jilles
On this note, I've been thinking about what technology such as this could be used for on motorcycles. Sure, there's the obvious stuff, like GPS+GIS for navigation, but what else?
One idea I've had is to have a database of photographs of streets and streetcorners that can pop up on a HUD screen in the helmet, making it easy to compare the real scene with what you should be seeing if you're in the right place -- much more helpful than a small dot on a GPS map for navigating.
I'm not all that happy with the idea of mail on the bike, though -- biking on a busy street with buses and trucks is 'interesting' enough without trying to compose a message at the same time. The sent mail would be quite intresting to read, though: "...and thus I think thatNo! NO! Don't swerve this way! AAAaaaaargh..."
One gadget that would be useful would be a tire temperature/pressure sensor that could warn as soon at the pressure is too high or too low for current conditions. Another one would be moisture sensors in the pack bags (don't laugh -- it's _REALLY_ depressing to stop for the night and realize that your entire wardrobe's been rainsoaked 'cause you didn't seal the bags properly).
Any more ideas, anybody?
Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
I've been using my Psion + Garmin GPS for a while and it works okay. The problem in London and any other big city is the height of the buildings. It can be tricky to get a good lock on multiple satellites when 70-80% of the sky is filled by concrete.
On the open road it's a breeze. I tend to stop if I'm not sure of the best route, check out what the GPS+RoutePlanner/StreetPlanner suggest, then plough on. Looking down at a screen whilst driving is a big no-no. I've played with a program (CoDriver) that shouts out directions as you go. With a bit of work that would probably be the best way to go.
re: HUDS. I drive an Impreza Turbo. In Japan, STI will sell you a nice HUD for their top-spec models. I've not seen one on a UK car yet, so I can't report on their efficacy.
Rob.
"What the hell happens if you stop REAL short, and crash?"
Judging by the pics, the following sequence would be likely:
1.) Bike hits large pothole, front wheel descends and stops.
2.) Rider is thrown over the handlebars, pulling the Palm Pilot forward, breaking the dock and yanking it off the bar. (If the rider somehow clears the Palm Pilot, the handlebars hitting the ground will tear it off anyway.)
3.) The weight of the rear will cause it to swing forward to the right or left, falling on the rider and probably injuring him, as well as the motor, and LAN components.
4.) Bike comes to a rest on the rider, with pieces of plastic strewn around the wreck site. A very hurt, and very pissed off rider stumbles to his feet, surveys the damage, and wonders why the hell he put computer equipment on a Bicycle.
5.) Rider cries.
-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?
-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon? :P)
(If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't.
One of the greatest things about cycling is that its simplicity. In fact, one of the things I've noticed in the sport is a resurgence of the track bike, which has only one gear and no brakes (you reverse your pedal direction to slow down). Those who ride these bikes (I'm not one of them yet) swear by its purity and ability to free your mind of the modern stresses.
If you are any brand of computer geek and you are thinking of getting a bike, do it. However, don't look for a bike like this. Get outside. Ride hard. Get away from the computer.
-- Solaris Central - http://w
I know a guy who did something simpler, but cooler. He routed the windshield washer hose to his front right fender. When he turned it on, fluid would spray out several feet from the right side of the car. He used to hose down pedestrians with it.
If tits were wings it'd be flying around.
I've spent the week in the city, battling through hordes of Bostonians chatting away on their cell phones while they drive - whipping in and out of the lanes of traffic completely oblivious to what is around them because they are glued to their phone.
Now, thanks to these guys, when I finally get away to New Hampshire or Vermont for a weekend of mountain biking, I can look forward to some idiot, not paying attention to the trail and once again making things relatively unsafe for everybody because he's checking his schedule or some other rediculous crap. Whoo hoo, way to make biking pleasureable.
There are days when all I really need is an EMP gun.
You say you want a revolution?
"The purpose"? Sorry, dude, but the purpose is to get outside, enjoy some sunshine (or rain) and fresh air, beautiful scenery, get some exercise, and have fun. You're taking it way too seriously.
First "now how about a Beowulf cluster of those" Post!
*laughs* make sure you buy the extended warrenty plan at whatever random discount electronics store you buy the Palm at :)
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Remove the rocks from my head to send email
On the whole, I find that I prefer Slashdot posts to twitter ones because I don't get limited to 140 chars before
Then these guys come along, I read about Winnebiko in Dr. Dobbs a while back.. And they are bucking the nature of it all for me. Putting computers and crap on there is sweet. Shit, putting computers on just about everything is sweet, but this just doesn't seem right some how. Maybe I don't get the whole "touring" thing. All the computers and stuff make it more heavy which means you can't climb as fast and they make it less aerodynamic which means you're not going to hawl as much ass on the downhill side. Basically, it slows you down and that seems contradictory to the purpose.
This is my signature. There are many signatures like it but this one is mine..
This guys gonna get his rear kicked one of these days. I mean, I like the idea, but the very *LOOK* of the beast with the Palm sticking out just screams "Please, KICK MY A**!!". ;-P Of course, as you peddle as fast as you can to get away, you hit a rock, fly through the air, and begin to cry as all of the wonderfull toys come smashing to a pile of smashed plastic and broken circuit boards. And just then, the guys who say you earlier catch up.. ;-P
-- I'm the root of all that's evil, but you can call me cookie..
Does this mean that soon they'll make cars with GPS and Sat Nav that actually works properly? Hell, maybe it'll help us get around London...
-- James
Embedded Java? On a bike?
Oh well, I guess that silly Java-on-a-wristwatch joke isn't as far away as I'd like it to be.
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pb Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate.
pb Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate.
but people have also tried to make cars do everything practically. I remember a news story about 15 years ago that covered a guy who had retrofitted his classic car (circa 50') with a bar, kitchen, shower (you basically hung off the side of the car while it was moving I think!), and many other items that I can't remember. No, there was no internet or GPS that car didn't have any of that new fangled stuff...
"sweet dreams are made of this..."
ai731
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"I use the words you taught me. If they don't mean anything any more, teach me others. Or let me be silent"
... do you really want to look like this?
Not even a wireless LAN? Hm, is the 150km extension cord also included?
...did a talk at an auditorium at Moffett Field, California, for the Computer Museum just yesterday, and I went to go hear it. Very interesting stuff.
The Computer Museum's home page is at www.computerhistory.org.
The day is not far when somebody will try to OC. In view of this fact, I think it's important to warn people of various hazards.
* Overclocking bikes is different from OC'ing PCs. A crash is slightly more likely to be non-recoverable.
* Immersing bikes in liquid nitrogen tanks while dressed in scuba gear and driving by chicks to impress them with your leading edge status in the OC community is a Bad Idea.
What other possibilities exist? Add to the list.
w/m
Gizmos in the car is one thing -- you're more likely to have passengers to play with the stuff, or to be stuck in traffic and what have you. But this feels like the wrong platform to me. Why why why?
DO NOT LEAVE IT IS NOT REAL
the bike can send you automatic email such as
"You are about to ride under a bus, LOOK UP, LOOK UP!!!!"
A head-up-display would be MUCH safer.
Bob.