New startup is trying to prevent bike thefts altogether with the Skylock. Its connected bike lock that can be controlled with a smartphone and sends real-time alerts when a lock is tampered with.
Velo Labs launched its own crowdfunding campaign on its website on Thursday. Its goal is to raise $50,000 to release its first batch of Skylocks.
SEE ALSO: 29 THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT SKYLOCK
People have these emotional connections with their bikes, Gerardo Barroeta, cofounder of Velo Labs, told Mashable. “We think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
This system also makes it easy to share your bike with friends by temporarily authorizing their phones to unlock Skylock, and can be logged into a local Wi-Fi network to increase its range. It works in conjunction with a smartphone app, which will be compatible with iOS and Android handsets.
It also has an OnStar-esque “Crash Alert System” that can be set to automatically call an ambulance or your loved ones if it detects that you’ve taken a spill. The sensor communicates with data collected by a user’s iPhone to determine when a rider gets in an accident. The app will alert emergency responders and users can designate up to three emergency contacts who will also be notified.
There’s a solar powered rechargeable battery. The creators say one hour of sunlight is enough for about a week of regular use. It can also be charged via USB and a fully charged battery should run for a month, although a fully depleted lock takes about five hours to fully recharge.
The Skylock will ultimately retail for $249, but you can snag one for $159 during the crowdfunding campaign. Velo Labs plans to start shipping Skylock by the end of the year.
Skylock Bike Lock Alerts You When Someone Try to Steal Your Bike
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