Cycling has always been a great way to get about – and a leisure pursuit to be enjoyed by all the family – and it is interesting to note how far modern bikes have come in terms of technology. Beautifully crafted, highly advanced racing bikes have given rise to the surprisingly affordable hybrid bikes that we see on the roads today, and there are more types of bicycle now than you might imagine.
Then there’s the electric bike; a great choice for commuters, electric bikes are an easy way to get around, and you can choose between the power unit – usually a battery-powered electric motor – or pedalling when you wish; when you come to those challenging hills, let the bike take the strain!
Now we’ve seen a new take on the electric bike theme. Intended as a major step for the commuter market, and also for everyday use, the Xmera is an electric bike with a difference – it’s being labelled as ‘The World’s First Bionic Bike’!
Prototype Form
Presented in prototype form at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, an event where many technological developments debut each year, the Xmera is the product of a young team of innovative inventors and designers who have created a bike that is bristling with technological advancement. In short, the team are working on a machine that will adjust the electronic motor’s speed by monitoring the riders biometric brain and body markers.
Put simply, this means monitoring the biometric performance of the rider, and adjusting when it sees fit, and if this sounds like science-fiction to you, believe us when we tell you it is very real indeed!
The benefits of this also extend to monitoring the riders heartrate and other indicators, and further adjusting the level of assistance the motor provides, thus giving the rider a cardio workout that is at the right level, at the right time! This is genuine innovation of the very highest order, and has caused quite a stir among the crowds attending CES.
Crowdfunding
The team who have created and continue to develop the Xmera are looking to raise funds in both the US market and Europe – they originate from Romania – to help with further development of the prototype, with the intention to develop it to a point where the Xmera can become a commercially available device.
The future promises apps that can be used to monitor the riders performance when in motion, and to play back when at home, plus a tracking system for added security. This is a serious and very inventive attempt to add a new form of transport – think of it as a hybrid between a motorcycle and a bicycle, without the need for a licence – that many people would find both useful and economically worthwhile.
Technology has come a long way since two-wheeled transport first appeared on the roads and looks set to develop further than we might have imagined, thanks in no small part to the clever and innovative minds such as those who have created Xmera.