The laser is arguably the most wonderful technology humankind has ever devised. Used for everything from eye surgery to annoying dogs, the phenomenon that is electromagnetic radiation is also being used as a means of keeping cyclists safe from harm.
The Bike Zone laser system sadly isn’t designed to irradiate lorry drivers to dust. The system, which uses a pair of light-emitting rings – one at the front and one at the rear – projects laser beams onto the floor, warning fellow motorists of your presence or intentions. At the user’s request, it’ll either project a ‘safety area’ – a triangle on either side of you – or three triangles on either side, showing the direction you intend to turn.
It is, in theory, pretty easy to use, with power and indicator switches mounted on the handlebars and a magnetic coupling system used to mount the laser lights onto the downpipes of your bicycle. Obviously you won’t want to leave the Bike Zone system attached to your bike while it’s parked up (it can’t automatically slice thieves in half, lightsaber style) so it’s reassuring to know it can be detached and stored in a backpack.
The system, created by Frank Guo, Stuart Morrow and Hung Wang (lucky guy), is merely a design concept at this stage, but its design isn’t particularly far-fetched so there’s every chance it could one day be snapped up and built by investors.
If you want something similar now, you might want to consider the SLANCIO bicycle laser beam rear tail light system which, while not as fancy, projects an impressive, high-visibility pair of laser lights on either side of your bike.
If nothing else, it’s at least a decent stopgap until someone inventes bike-mounted lightsabers that can chop white vans in half.
Via: Yanko Design
Leave a Reply