Rover Development has developed the PSIcle sensor for cyclists to read their tyre pressure by using a smartphone. The PSIcle sensor is a patent-pending lightweight NFC-based pressure sensor.
Unlike some other sensors, the device has no battery to charge or replace, which also eliminates extra weight. The PSIcle sensor threads into an existing Presta valve. It can be used with tubeless tyres or any tube with a removable core. It is also fully reusable when buying a new tubeless tyre or tube.
To install, remove the valve core of an existing Presta valve, thread the PSIcle sensor into the valve in place of the core, and thread the valve core back into the top of the sensor.
To read the pressure, hold an iOS or Android smartphone within about one inch of the sensor. The NFC reader inside the phone automatically powers and wakes the sensor. Then, the free PSIcle app detects the sensor and automatically launches, providing an instant pressure measurement. Pressure readings are updated as the tyre is inflated.
There are two models of the PSIcle sensor. A low pressure sensor for mountain or fat tyre bikers that measures 0-40 psi and a high pressure sensor for road bikers that measures 0-400 psi.
The high pressure sensor is claimed to be accurate to within +/- 0.7 psi, and the low pressure sensor is accurate to within +/- 0.06 psi.
Rover Development is comprised of three engineers with over 60 years of cumulative product development experience who have experience in working in organizations from startup to large corporations. Collectively, they have brought over a dozen previous products from concept to production.
They will leverage their prior experience to bring the PSIcle sensor into production. The PSIcle sensor Kickstarter campaign launched on May 25th, with an early bird price of US$52 for two sensors delivered in September 2021; and a regular price of US$56 for 2 sensors delivered in November, 2021.
Sensors will then be sold direct through Rover Development’s website.
