Reinventing the wheel

It started with this question: How can we get more people to cycle?

- Assaf Biddrman, 36, founder of Superpedestrian, which makes the Copenhagen Wheel

Replace the back wheel of your bike with this wheel and turn it into a hybrid e-bike for an easy, hill-defying commute.

The Copenhagen Wheel captures the energy you use while riding and braking and stores it in a battery pack for the times you need some boost. The battery life is 1,000 cycles and the charge time is four hours.

The wheel is controlled though your smartphone. Simply place your phone on the handlebar and its bluetooth module syncs with the wheel's sensors.

   It works with an app that lets you lock, change gears and decide how much motor you want to use.

   Sensors in the wheel collect information about pollution levels, traffic and road conditions.

   The project, by Superpedestrian, a Massachusetts, US, startup, will start shipping by May. The wheel costs US$799 plus shipping.

INSIDE THE HUB

All components that make the wheel work are packaged inside the hub.

GEAR PACK

MOTOR

BATTERY & SENSOR PACK

ASSEMBLY

The wheel is assembled by taking out a bicycle's back wheel and replacing it with the Copenhagen Wheel.

POWER AHEAD

The wheel stores the energy from pedalling and braking in a battery. The battery, which is inside the wheel, uses that energy to provide a boost when needed. For example, when going uphill.

SMARTPHONE

With a smartphone app, a rider can control the wheel's adjusting and locking functions.

SOCIAL NETWORK

Riders can share data with others to create a community-wide portrait of riding and other road conditions.

PHOTOS: SUPERPEDESTRIAN

SOURCES: DESIGN NEWS