Audi designs e-bike concept
http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/21/3032445/audi-e-bike-worthersee-co...
Audi used its presence at the 2012 Wörthersee Tour to show off the auto maker's sleek electric bike concept — fittingly named the e-bike Wörthersee. The company claims the bike, featuring a lightweight 3.53-pound carbon fiber construction, has been crafted with "sport, fun, and tricks" in mind. It's certainly one of the most advanced designs we've seen in terms of on-board tech, as the bike features a built-in computer complete with a touchscreen that displays a rider's current road speed, distance, slope angle, and even lets them record trick sequences.
The e-bike Wörthersee can be powered in three ways: through manual pedaling, a combination of footwork and electric power (with speeds up to 50 miles per hour), or by relying solely on the electric motor, wherein speeds top out around 31 mph. Audi has also implemented two "Wheelie" modes that allow riders to cruise on just the rear wheel. And supporting the bike's electric functions is a swappable 530Wh lithium-ion battery pack, which takes approximately 2.5 hours to charge according to Audi.
The prototype can also connect to smartphones over WLAN, letting users unlock its security system with their handsets, for instance. Integrated Facebook support allows riders to engage in trick challenges, with Audi boasting that the e-bike Wörthersee can post stunt data to your feed and provide worldwide rankings via its display. We're now living in a world where you could soon be keeping tabs on social networks from a bicycle seat.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by rossmg on -
Wow! Impressive looking machine and up to 80Km/hr, that's some serious speed for a push(e)-bike. But facebook integration? Gads, that I can live without :-p
-
Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
where is the seat?
-
Permalink Reply by john mills on
-
Seat would be an option! Hey Don - its a stunt bike. I think you are supposed to stand on the pedals to ride it? Or is it that little red bit on the end, where the test rider left his bloodied testicles! Poor design feature IMO.
-
Permalink Reply by rossmg on
-
You will note the little bit of red above and in front of the rear wheel - similar to the SoftRide bikes..
-
Permalink Reply by Frank on
-
Looks good, range of 31-45 miles on one charge is cool too and integration Facebook etc just shows that Europe is simply way more techno savvy than OZ!
The way of the future! Wow
-
Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on -
More techno savvy, or just self important suckers?
Does the world need to know every trifling detail of my life? Of course they do!
Facebook on a bike FFS!! It needs a function so that when you log in it automatically accelerates to 80km/h and then locks the front brake. Like/dislike?? LOL
-
-
Not a Facebook fan I take it!
Me neither much but still use it for communicating.
How did you derive the self important suckers? Been there much? Thought as much!
Its a concept at this stage and technology flows on and we are in the age of communication and technology! Thats the way it is.
LIKE!
-
Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on
-
Ha ha. The self important jab was a poke at the need to FB constantly, even on a bike.
I'm just as self important or I wouldn't be posting my crap on here!
Not been as much as I'd like so you're right again, you must be one of those savvy ones yourself eh?
Maybe I could take one of those velocipedes for a run around the Nurburgring on an upcoming beer tour of Europe.
Meet you there and I'll shout you a Tripel.
-
-
Deal, I be there in October(of course) next year and see on how we go with a Stein!
-
Permalink Reply by Edward @bikeadelaide on -
Very cool. Mercedes Benz, through Smart, have done something similar but for more sedate riders.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
Speed of 80km/h seems outdated already with cycling countries opting for lower speed limits. 30km/h in The Netherlands and Adelaide CBD about to introduce 40km/h. The 'bike' would need to be registered and then fall foul of design rules. Predict non-stunt bikes based on this design could only be used off-road in Australia.
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
