Dashbike Aims to Improve Cycling Safety with Camera, Distance Sensor, Fall Detection, and More
The cycling equivalent of a dashcam, the Dashbike includes camera, mic, passing distance sensor, GPS, accelerometer, and even lights.
German cycling specialist Dashfactory has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an impressive sensor platform designed to make bicycles safer: the Dashbike, a combination camera, lighting, and sensor system.
The Dashbike's aims are nothing short of impressive, with a list of features designed to improve the safety of cyclists across the globe. At its heart, and as the name implies, it's the bicycle equivalent of a car's dashcam, constantly recording video using a 1600x1200 resolution wide-angle camera while a microphone picks up the audio. It also doubles as a lighting system, providing daytime running lights and rear lights for improved visibility.
Dashfactory's aims go further, however. An integrated ultrasonic distance sensor measures how close other vehicles come to you as they pass — automatically flagging video if they come closer than the recommended 1.5 metres (around 4.9 feet). There's also a GPS sensor, which records the date, time, and location of all captured video, and a nine-axis accelerometer which can track acceleration, breaking, and detect falls.
"The saved recordings are provided with all relevant metadata and dangers are permanently, reliably and seamlessly documented," claims Dashfactor's Sandro Beck. "Location, date, time, passing distance and fall detection. So you always know what happened, when, where & how. In the event of damage, your Dashbike recordings can be used as a data protection compliant valid evidence. The Dashbike has been verified by a specialised law office and confirmed by a comprehensive legal announcement."
Data recorded on the device, which is IP67 rated for splash-proofing, is linked to a companion app that allows the viewer to see ride details include distance covered, average speed, ride time, recorded passing distances, and the recorded video footage.
"Show your city where the danger spots are," Beck adds of the app's features, "where you are often passed too closely and where there are many cyclists on the road. Together with you, we can show your city the danger spots and improve the cycling infrastructure in a targeted way. Of course, voluntarily, anonymously and in compliance with data protection laws. Create your future!"
The Dashbike is now funding on Kickstarter, priced at €199 under Early Bird pricing — a claimed €30 discount on the eventual retail price. Hardware is expected to ship in August for the 499 earliest backers, and October for the remainder.