BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Halfords has launched the Cybic bike range, the ‘world’s first’ connected smart bike with access to Amazon Alexa.
Andy Whitehall, Halfords’ bike expert, said: “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 summer 2019.
“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.”
Halfords is the exclusive UK and Ireland retailer of the range and it will be available in shops and online from summer 2019.
The range includes a hybrid, the Cybic Legend and an electric bike, the Cybic E-Legend.
Using a control mounted to the handlebars, cyclists can access the menu which controls all the functions and can ask the device requests including traffic updates, turn-by-turn directions and weather forecasts, as well as accessing functions such as sending messages, adding items to a shopping list and ordering dinner with their voice.
Product features also include access to cycling performance data including speed, time and distance covered, GPS and mapping, personalised light settings, a security lock and an alarm which can be accessed via the bike’s app, theft tracking, an HD music player, a Vodafone sim and WiFi.
David Kumar, principal product manager at Alexa Voice Services (AVS), said: “Adding Alexa functionality expands the notion of “Alexa On The Go”, where Alexa is available anywhere where the bike is.
“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.”
