While some bike navigation devices try to perfect their on-screen mapping, other devices use simple LEDs to point you in the right way. New Kickstarter project Blubel wants to help you choose the least hazardous route, based on data that it helps record.
Reminiscent of a hockey puck, the Blubel is a waterproof Bluetooth-enabled unit which sits inside a specially designed chrome bike bell, and gives directions in real time. There’s no built-in GPS so a connection to a smartphone is essential, and you’ll also need the Blubel app, which will be available on iOS and Android. The device does feature a compass, a gyroscope and an accelerometer.
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“The Blubel app finds three routes that are the quietest and most cycle friendly. It takes into account hazard data, like where the user rang their bell or stopped suddenly, to refine the routes. The cyclist can also select an overlay that shows potential hazards, based on reports from the community,” Blubel founder Sasha Afanasieva told BikeRadar in an email.
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Once the route has been set, the Blubel uses coloured LEDs around the edge of the unit to get your attention, and the lights spin in the direction you’re supposed to turn at the next junction. If you happen to miss a turn or get lost, the Blubel automatically re-routes to get you back on track, and Blubel say it will work anywhere in the world. The lights are also used to denote the bearing to your destination, and warn you about upcoming hazards.
In a similar vein to the popular Waze driving app, which crowdsources information on the locations of potholes, traffic jams and speed traps, the Blubel takes note of where the bell is rung and uses that information to adjust routes.
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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