Volkswagen presented an innovative electric bicycle: car-level safety

Volkswagen decided to radically change the approach to urban mobility by introducing automotive safety standards into two-wheeled vehicles. In cooperation with the Australian brand n+, the company presented electric bicycles, literally stuffed with electronics, designed to protect the cyclist in intense city traffic.

Positioning

The main concept of the project is to reject the usual perception of a bicycle as a simple vehicle. Here it acts as a high-tech gadget that monitors the surrounding environment. The engineers set themselves the task of integrating the sensors so that the cyclist was protected as much as possible, and the surrounding drivers could easily read his maneuvers.

Smart View security system: eyes in the back of the head

The key feature of the models is the Smart View complex. It consists of a rear camera and a radar. The system constantly monitors the approach of vehicles from behind and transmits the video stream to the display integrated in the steering wheel. If the speed of approaching the object is critically high, the electronics warn the user about the danger. This eliminates the need to constantly look around, allowing you to better monitor the road surface.

Intelligent lighting system

The bikes received a complex LED display system integrated into the frame. These are not just side lights, but functional safety elements:

• Daytime running lights: permanently lit strips for improved visibility.
• Stop signals: when braking, the light intensity changes to bright red.
• Turns: a yellow flashing indicator is activated during the maneuver.

Smart accessories and features

To create a full-fledged ecosystem, Volkswagen provided special additions:

• Smart helmet: synchronizes with the bicycle lights and is equipped with an accident sensor. In the event of a fall, the device sends the coordinates of the victim to the contacts entered in the system.
• Smart glasses: work together with radar and camera. They project navigation data and road hazard warnings directly into the rider’s field of vision, using developments created for military aviation.

At the moment, Volkswagen has made a bet on maximum manufacturability, practically equating the functionality of a bicycle with the systems of a car. If your goal is to get a ready-made solution “out of the box” without unnecessary wires, which increases visibility in the city and helps to monitor “dead zones”, this series will be the optimal choice. The project is clearly aimed at those who value modern driver assistance systems and seek maximum safety control during every trip.