With Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant popping up on everything from cameras to kettles, it seemed inevitable that we'd soon be talking to our bikes... and that will become a reality this summer with the launch of Cybic's Legend range
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The world's first Alexa smart bikes will be officially unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next week, and they will be sold exclusively at Halfords in the UK. You can also get a non-assisted hybrid version as well as the range-topping E-Legend. So why do you need to have a chat with your bike? Well for a start, it takes away the need to be fiddling with buttons to perform tasks like switching on lights when you need to have your full attention on the road ahead. You can ask for traffic updates and then switch routes if need be, and then ask for turn-by-turn directions, taking advantage of the in-built GPS and mapping to make sure you don't get lost. There are loads of less essential functions too: sending messages, adding items to a shopping list and even ordering dinner are all possible on the E-Legend, so you can time your takeaway to arrive at home when you do.
The WiFi-enabled bike also comes with a Vodaphone sim that has three years free 3G data, and has an app to control most of the smart functions. It has a security lock and alarm that is accessed via the app and a tracker to keep the thieves at bay. Andy Whitehall of Halfords says: “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. The technology will help cyclists with many things including getting traffic updates, getting turn-by-turn directions, personalised light settings, playing music and much more.”
All three bikes in the Cybic range will be exclusive to Halfords for 12 months, and they are expecting to hit stores in summer 2019. Head over to the landing page on the Halfords website to find out more and register your interest for updates... do you think it's going to be a game-changer? Comment and let us know!
