Boreal Bikes’ smrtGRiPs provide haptic feedback for hands-on navigation (all images via Boreal Bikes)
We do it in cars and while walking or hiking so why not while riding bicycles? I’m talking about using navigation apps on our smart devices to find our way around. The problem is, it can become a deadly distraction while driving or even bicycling for that matter and you wind up not making it to your destination. With the IoT connecting more and more things to the internet on a seemingly daily basis, it was only a matter of time before bicycle grips became ‘connected’ as well.
Installation of the smrtGRiPs is pretty straightforward and connection to user’s smartphones is done through the grips Bluetooth module.
Boreal Bikes (located in Montreal, Canada) designed the smrtGRiPs to provide a hands-free, eyes-free way to navigate while also providing haptic feedback notifications as well as the ability to track lost or stolen bicycles. . Instead of hearing the traditional audio directions of most GPS-based navigation apps, the grips vibrate when users need to turn left or right and intensify when approaching the indicated street. They can even alert riders to road hazards or traffic issues, which can be accompanied by audio alerts as well.
The accompanying app provides eyes-free navigation along with a tracking app and even a locater app.
If rider’s bikes become lost, (in a sea of bike racks?) they can check the smrtGRiPs app and it will guide them to its location and even allow users to enable an auditory tone to signal its location. If the bike becomes stolen, it will send out a signal to other smrtGRiPs users in the immediate area and if they come within 330-feet of the stolen bike, users will receive an instant notification of where their bike is located. While that might not seem like an ideal solution, it’s better than nothing. On the other hand, perhaps users could modify the grips with an internal real-time GPS device to find the bike’s exact location.
The waterproof grips are actually made of a durable aluminum casing that houses the Bluetooth module, vibrational module and battery, which is recharged through the grip’s micro USB connector. Boreal Bikes is currently crowd-funding their smrtGRiPs on Indiegogo and those looking to get a pair can do so by pledging $59 or higher, which nets you a pair of grips and a charger.
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