February
21
News for Wired Travellers
Today more travellers are using their smartphones to do more that stay intouch, find the latest events, scour the web for deals and more. Here are a few of the latest innovations that are or will be used for wired travel experiences.
Smarter Bike Lock may spark New Rental Businesses
Lock8, developed a smart bike lock that can enable private bike-sharing via the accompanying smartphone app. The lock is fitted to the frame in front of the back wheel and links up to the app. Its six sensors allow it to record the differences in the temperature, vibrations and movements if it detects attempts to steal the bike, a 120-decibel alarm is triggered and a push notification sent to the smartphone which also acts as the bike’s key.
Coupled with its bike sharing platform, the smart bike lock can allow any bicycle fleet to be connected to a rental platform, so bikes can be reserved and booked remotely through the app. The GPS/GSM chip integrated in the LOCK8 enables customers to locate and unlock the bicycle without the need to hand over keys. (pre-orders $249USD) http://www.lock8.me
Audience Power
Coca-Cola organised a live concert in Brazil at which the electricity for the instruments and the speakers were generated by the excitement of the audience. A special generator under the audience made it possible to convert the kinetic energy from the steps, jumps and dancing from the audience into electricity. When the audience recharge the batteries in the drink machines, Coca Cola rewarded with free drinks.
Energy Floors, of the Netherlands, is dancing its way in the market of sustainable energy. Their product lines include Sustainable Energy Floors which create electricity from footsteps no telling where this innovation might lead. www.sustainabledanceclub.com
Event Guide to Social Network
The San Francisco-based start-up DoubleDutch, help event organisers to convert their event guides into mobile applications as well as collect data on how attendees use the event. Users receive profiles recommendations of other attendees of whom the app finds a connection. Based on user activities, event organisers can check statistics to assess which topics and speakers the attendees were most interested in, allowing planners to tweak the next event as closely to participant interests as possible.
Beside allowing attendees to connect and network with each other, answer polls about their favourite activities, and communicate with other guests. Conference organizers can customize the app to include specific features that best fit with their event. Plus, they can collect the usage data and comments, to get a better feel of what attendees really thought about their event. http://www.doubledutch.me
“Trace” Tracks Boarders on the Go
The company ActiveReplay offers skaters, snowboarders and surfers a device called “Trace” that allows them to track their activities in the same way as runners and cyclists. They simply need to attach the small, circular device to their clothes or sports gear. “Trace” measures speed, energy consumption, altitude, distance, jump height and rotation. The device can then be connected via Bluetooth 4.0 to the smartphone to share the data and activities with friends in social networks. www.alpinereplay.com
Wristbands Improve Climber Skills
One method to improve skills before heading to a new climb is strapping on a set of ClimbAX wristbands. Designed for climbers the bands use sensors to examine how well the climbers negotiate rock faces and imitates the coaching of a professional trainer. Users attach a wristband to each wrist, containing 3D motion, orientation and altitude sensors. After their training session, they can download the data to their computer and the online platform splits and analyses their performance by detecting individual moves and tracking all sorts of other stats about your performance. The data from the bands automatically produces a report for climbers can view on their profile in four main areas – strength, control, stability and speed. www.climbax.co.uk
Solar Power for the Wired Active Traveller
GoalZero produces a portable solar panel that folds up neatly to the size of a magazine. The Nomad 13 ($160 USD) soaks up enough rays in 5 hours to fully charge a smartphone, camera, tablet, or other device with a USB cable. Hook it up to their Sherpa 50 battery pack ($199) and you’ll have enough juice stored to power up overnight your iPhone, iPad and lightweight laptop. www.goalzero.com
TravelKorner 