Superpedestrian Introduces Copenhagen Wheel to Revolutionize Urban Mobility

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Superpedestrian today announced the first commercial release of the Copenhagen Wheel, a self-contained unit that snaps easily onto the back of any ordinary bicycle and turns it into an electric hybrid. With extra power at the riders' feet, regenerative braking and advanced control systems, the wheel promotes cycling so that long distances or steep up-hills are no longer a barrier to a comfortable ride. The Copenhagen Wheel is available for sale starting today at Superpedestrian.com.

With more than 60 percent of the world expected to live in cities by 2020, transportation can positively impact the quality of urban life. Superpedestrian seeks to transform urban mobility by making bicycles even more attractive for commuters and city residents. The Copenhagen Wheel is the original "smart wheel," first conceived at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's SENSEable City Lab. The inventors then joined forces as Superpedestrian, exclusively licensing the technology from MIT and working to perfect a user experience that enables cyclists to ride practically anywhere with simplicity and ease.

The Wheel is ridden like a normal bicycle – users pedal and the motor phases in and out automatically.  The Wheel learns about the rider and intuitively recognizes how hard he or she pedals and the topography ahead to determine how much support the rider may need. There aren't any additional throttles, wires or buttons, maintaining the pure simplicity of cycling. The Wheel also features an intelligent locking system that locks the bike when the rider walks away and unlocks it upon return. Its rechargeable battery allows riders to easily remove the battery pack and carry it with them wherever they go.

"Can we make bikes a competitive alternative to cars, buses and subways for people who live in or commute to work in cities? That is our mission," said Assaf Biderman, Superpedestrian founder and associate director of the MIT SENSEable City Laboratory. "For the millions of city residents who are tired of sitting in traffic jams or long waits for the bus or train, the Copenhagen Wheel provides an easier, more environmentally friendly way to get around using the bike that's already sitting in their garage or front hall."

By connecting to the rider's smartphone, the Copenhagen Wheel can be customized to fit his or her needs. The Superpedestrian mobile app lets riders maintain a personal profile by tracking personal usage statistics such as distance traveled, calories burned and elevation gain – these stats can even be compared and shared with friends. It also brings together like-minded people, connecting them and paving the way for a social way to cycle. "Effectively, the Copenhagen Wheel puts your bike online – at the center of your personal Internet of Things," said Carlo Ratti, co-inventor of the Copenhagen Wheel and director of the MIT Senseable City Lab.

Key specifications of the Copenhagen Wheel include:

• Price: Starting at $699.00
• Speed: 20 MPH/32 KMPH
• Range: 30 miles/48 kilometers
• Weight:  Weight: 13 lbs/5.9 kg
• Battery Type: Rechargeable lithium Ion, 1,000 charge cycles
• Operating Voltage: 48V
• Motor Power: BLDC hub motor 250W, and 350W options
• Supported Wheel Sizes: 26" and 700C
• Supported Drive Train Options: Single-speed, multi-speed derailleur

Brake Type: Rim Brakes, and Electronic Regenerative Back Pedal Braking
A video of the Copenhagen Wheel can be viewed at: www.superpedestrian.com

Availability
The new Copenhagen Wheel is available for purchase now for $699.00 at limited quantities and will begin shipping at the end of the first quarter of 2014. To buy or learn about the Copenhagen Wheel, visit superpedestrian.com.

About Superpedestrian
Superpedestrian Inc. is a venture-backed company operating out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. With a creative team of designers and engineers, it seeks to provide new forms of human-powered mobility for cities. Superpedestrian holds the exclusive licensing rights to the Copenhagen Wheel, a project from the MIT SENSEable City Laboratory. Superpedestrian's backers include Spark Capital and Tumblr President and CEO David Karp. Ultimately, the team's vision is to transform quality of living in cities, by enabling more seamless mobility through them.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Yekhtikian
InkHouse (for Superpedestrian)         
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Superpedestrian Inc.