Bicycles are wildly popular in Europe, and as of 2013 have begun outselling cars in many major European Union (EU) countries. Wink Bar is a product aiming to tap into this burgeoning market as the founders claim that they “are the first to integrate the technology of a smartphone into a handlebar.”
It works by using an app, on either Android or iOS, which can be paired by Bluetooth to a bespoke “smart” handlebar that can be attached to any bicycle. The product offers a variety of functions to cyclists.
First, using GPS technology, it can help them find destinations they’ve inputted into the app. Instead of having to look at their phones for direction while on their bike however, the handlebar is fitted with headlights which signals where a cyclist should go, while it also lets them know if they’re receiving an incoming call or message.
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In addition to this, the same GPS system is used to notify cyclists if their bike has been stolen by recognizing if a bicycle has been removed from its parking spot and notifying the owner. Meanwhile, within the apps there is also a fitness tracker to inform a user on their statistics from a day or riding. Finally, at night, these headlights will also automatically switch on to make bikers visible to others for road safety reasons.
The handlebar, which is available in two styles, is underpinned by a battery which is can be removed from the side of the handlebar. It lasts up to three weeks and can be recharged by USB.
The creators, from parent company Velco, crowdfunded for the product on Indiegogo in May of this year and raised more than $33,000 from 150 backers, which was more than their target of $25,000.
Johnny Smith, chief marketing officer (CMO) at Velco, said in a statement related to the crowdfunding launch: “We created the Wink Bar to give cyclists the ability to make their bike rides safer and smarter. Rather than something you have to attach to your bike, we wanted to make it an integrated part of the bike’s design.”
The idea to create Wink Bar was born when CEO of Velco Pierre Regnier presented his concept of a bike tracker at a seminar on the subject of technological innovation, which his other two co-founders attended in 2016.
The product is due to begin shipping in September.