Copenhagen Wheel

The Copenhagen Wheel is a rear bicycle wheel currently in development that has an in-built electric motor, battery, and in-built computer. A bicycle equipped with a Copenhagen Wheel in effect becomes a pedelec, i.e. a bicycle in which the electric motor assists the rider when necessary but only when they are actively pedalling. The wheel is made by Superpedestrian, a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is based on technology originating from MIT, also based in the same city.[1]

The Copenhagen Wheel includes a built-in electric motor with a 48-volt lithium ion battery. The Wheel is controlled by a smartphone app. The Copenhagen Wheel is charged externally via a battery charger, with additional charging while riding the bicycle from regenerative braking, i.e. when the rider back-pedals as in a coaster brake. The in-built computer uses sensors in the Copenhagen Wheel to analyse the topography and the rider's pedalling to decide whether to deliver power to assist the rider.

Range per battery charge is stated as up to 50 kilometres (31 mi).[2][1] As of March 2016 the wheel could be pre-ordered for future delivery at a price of US$949.[3]

The device got a free advertising boost when it was shown on Showtime's seventh season of Weeds.[4]

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