School of Visual Arts + Smart Objects Project
A SMARTER BIKE LOCK
Vice is a conceptual smart navigation and bike lock system. Though the partner app, a rider can upload their route and safely navigate to their destination through the LED indicators on the lock’s interface. The app allows them to lock and unlock their bike as well.
Project: Vice Bike Lock Concept
Role: Industrial Design, UX, Physical Computing
Year: 2013
OPPORTUNITY
We observed an abundance of bike accessories that perform a single function (i.e. locked a bike or provide directions), but none that did both. We also found a large overlap of riders that use both a lock and a navigation computer while riding, but found them challenging to transport and use.
PROTOTYPING
We imagined a lock that sits securely on the handlebars while biking, yet easily accessible when needed. Placing the lock on the handlebars was also ideal for integrating a navigation system. We tested out a 3D-printed prototype with an Arduino and LEDs on the streets of Manhattan.
UX DESIGN
The rider can sync their phone with the lock, plan their route in the app, then receive turn by turn navigation via the LED indicators on the lock. Once the rider reaches their destination, the app can unlock the lock.
