Chinese company Cybic is betting that smart bikes are the next big thing as it debuts two new smart bikes with Amazon Alexa at CES 2019 in Las Vegas next week and names Halfords as the exclusive UK and Ireland retailer for the connected range, Evening Standard reports.
“Adding Alexa functionality expands the notion of “Alexa On The Go”, where Alexa is available anywhere where the bike is, said David Kumar, principal product manager at Alexa Voice Services (AVS). “The combination of Alexa and Cybic enables riders to enjoy a great range of innovative, integrated bike features without their hands ever having to leave the safety of the handlebars”.
Using Alexa on The Go is as easy as riding a bicycle: atop the handlebars is a control that features an Alexa functions menu that cyclists can use their voice to “request traffic updates, turn-by-turn directions, weather forecasts and all the other fun things you can do with Alexa including send messages and add items to your shopping list,” says the outlet.
“We’ve seen innovations in alternative commuting go from strength to strength and after electric bikes we predict that the next big trend for commuters will be smart bikes.”
In addition, riders enjoy other high-tech features such as (likely voice-controlled) personalized light settings and a HD music player as well as a security lock and alarm accessible via the bike’s app, according to Evening Standard. Three years’ worth of free 3G data on a Vodafone sim and Wi-Fi capability are other benefits of the connected bicycles in the Cybic range, which includes a hybrid bike, the Cybic Legend, and an electric bike, the Cybic E-Legend.
Andy Whitehall, Halfords’ bike expert, added: “We’ve seen innovations in alternative commuting go from strength to strength and after electric bikes we predict that the next big trend for commuters will be smart bikes.
“The Cybic contains all the features you love about Alexa, but now in a bike and we are delighted to be the first to offer this to UK customers when it launches in the summer 2019."
