Haptic GPS Bicycle Handlebars

by basheertome • 12 years ago

3 1 12 years ago

pedalpete• 12 years ago

Great idea, but it seems to be severely over engineered. Simply vibrating the left or right side of the handlebar should be enough.

The two things I really don't like about this are

1) creating friction at the steerer. As a cyclist, we're steering around obstacles and want to have instant reaction. Adjusting the expected force necessary to turn the wheel can be dangerous, or just inconvenient. Even if it is just a small amount, we'll need to oversteer that small amount.

2) mechanically move a heavy piece of steel to the end of the handlebar. Similar to my issue with friction, we're introducing an inconsistent feel, but here you're also moving a weight. What happens when the mechanism breaks and the weight falls to the outside of the handlebar. That 'natural' feel isn't so natural anymore.

For a first generation at least, I'd like to see them do something simple, then if they feel it needs these extra bells and whistles, then add them in.

Haptic GPS Bicycle Handlebars

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