Shoka has today announced the launch of Shoka Bell, a ‘smart cycling bell that brings modern tools to modern cyclists’. Launched via a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign, Shoka Bell combines a navigation system, front light, security alarm and bell into a single unit that can be mounted on a handlebar.
Users can connect the bell to a smartphone via Bluetooth and enter a destination. Shoka Bell will then guide the rider to their destination with ‘clear turn by turn directions… choosing the safest route every time.’
Daniel Falus, CEO and Founder of Shoka said “Cycling is a fantastic way to get around; it’s eco-friendly, cheap and healthy too, but it hasn’t really changed in a hundred years. With Shoka Bell we’re taking cycling into the future, every cyclist should be able to navigate safely and by building a community that shares its knowledge, Shoka Bell can create the best routes for everyone. We are excited to bring this to the Kickstarter community and can’t wait to get Shoka Bar onto everyone’s handlebars.”
Shoka Bell features eight sounds: honk for a car, a polite ding for pedestrians, and riders can even record their own message. There is an automatic volume control that adjusts the ringtone volume to surrounding noise. Through the app, custom ringtones can be created and even more sounds are available to download for free.
Every time a Shoka Bell is rung, it’s shared with the Shoka community and, the company adds that, collectively users will warn other cyclists of dangerous junctions and difficult routes. Shoka Bell will alert riders to upcoming problem areas with a visible series of 72 LED lights on the top of the device.
‘Shoka Bell always chooses the safest route, simply enter the destination in the companion app and Shoka Bell guides you turn by turn using clear arrow signals.’
Shoka Bell will alert the user if their bike is moved. The clamp that is permanently attached to the bars acts as a motion sensor. If any movement is felt Shoka Bell will ring and light up to alert the user wirelessly up to 250m away.
Shoka Bell is also a front light. Designed specifically for the city, the 8 front facing LEDs are ‘bright enough to get you noticed whilst not being blinding for other cyclists or drivers.’ The light is adaptive to the time of day and flashes faster at night; and it is brighter in the day to help ensure the light can be seen even in sunlight.
Specification:
- Sound: Up to 105dB
- Battery life: more than 200 hours
- Weight: 110g
- Size: 80x55x41mm
- Light: High-brightness front LEDs
- Connection: Bluetooth LE 4.1
- Range: Up to 250m
- Accelerometer
- Light sensor
- Microphone
- Magnetic mount
- 800mAh LiPo battery
- Micro USB-B connector for charging
Shoka Bell will be available in six colours: blue, yellow, green, black, red and purple and features a metallic construction. It’s ‘fully weather-proof and lasts for up to a week on a full charge’. Shoka Bell will be shipping to backers in Spring 2017.
