Superpedestrian Introduces the Copenhagen Wheel to Revolutionize Urban Mobility
The company announced earlier this month the Copenhagen Wheel. It’s a self-contained unit that easily snaps onto the back wheel of any bike to turn it into an electric hybrid. It gives extra power, regenerative braking, and advanced control systems. It should make hills and long distances a lot easier.
Their target market is urban mobility-commuters and city dwellers.
The Copenhagen Wheel was developed at M.I.T. as the “smart wheel” and then became Superpedestrian and licensed the technology from M.I.T.
Cyclists ride normally and the motor phases in and out automatically. Thanks to the technology, the wheel “learns” about the rider and intuitively recognizes their pedal style and topography and determines the right amount of assist. There’s also an intelligent locking system that automatically locks the bike when the rider walks away and unlocks upon return. There’s a rechargeable battery that’s easily removed so it can be carried wherever needed.
Superpedestrian founder and MIT SENSEable City Laboratory associate director Assaf Biderman said “Can we make bikes a competitive alternative to cars, buses and subways for people who live in or commute to work in cities? That is our mission.” “For the millions of city residents who are tired of sitting in traffic jams or long waits for the bus or train, the Copenhagen Wheel provides an easier, more environmentally friendly way to get around using the bike that’s already sitting in their garage or front hall.”
By connecting a smartphone, the Copenhagen Wheel allows customizing the sheel to fits the rider’s needs. The mobile app lets riders maintain a personal profile by tracking personal usage statistics like distance traveled, calories burned, and elevation gain. They can share the stats with friends. It also creates a sense of community.
