Volkswagen and electric bike specialist n+ will unveil what they claim to be the world’s safest e-bike at this year’s IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.
The jointly developed Volkswagen Smart eBike combines radar, camera and lighting systems along with new wearable tech to help “close the gaps” in awareness and visibility that leave cyclists vulnerable in traffic.
At the heart of the new safety systems is the world-first “Smart View” system, which combines a radar-activated rear-view camera and a handlebar-mounted display screen.
The mudguard-mounted radar continuously monitors traffic up to 70 metres behind the rider, detecting vehicles and other road users approaching at greater speed, and can stream a live rearward video feed to the display along with visual warnings to alert the rider. The screen can run in three modes – a continuous dashboard view showing speed, pedal assist level, and other trip data; a continuous rear-camera feed; or Auto Mode, in which the display switches automatically to the rear-camera view the moment the radar detects an approaching vehicle.
The system is integrated with full-length LED strips built into both sides of the top tube. These glow amber as side marker lights during normal riding and automatically increase in brightness when the radar detects an approaching vehicle. They also double as turn signals and brake indicators, working in sync with an integrated rear brake and tail lamp. In a nod to VW’s passenger car division, the Volkswagen Smart eBike even gets illuminated front and rear Volkswagen emblems.
The Smart View setup can be supplemented with new smart glasses, which mimic fighter pilot head-up displays. Paired with the onboard systems, the glasses’ microOLED display can show radar-activated blind-spot alerts, turn-by-turn Google Maps navigation and live ride data, including speed, distance and battery status.
Building on the wearable tech is the Smart Helmet, which features front, rear and side LED lights that synchronise with the bike’s onboard lights to display braking and turning warnings to other road users.
Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, said: “The Volkswagen Smart eBike demonstrates how technologies already established in the automotive sector can be intelligently transferred to two wheels.
“The optional radar-activated rear-view camera is an unprecedented innovation for production eBikes, and reliably detects approaching traffic and helps address the blind spots that can leave riders vulnerable. By combining this technology with intelligent lighting and connected rider equipment, the eBike shows what modern assistance systems can achieve – enhancing awareness, supporting safer decisions and giving riders greater confidence in everyday traffic.”
The bike will be on display and available for test rides at the Volkswagen stand at this year’s IFA Berlin from September 4-8.
