samsung smartbike design story

A person views the Maestro Academy Website on a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The Italian economy, along with many other European countries, is facing a noticeable recession. The unemployment rate for youth under the age of 40 has reached a critical level of almost 50%. In contrast, the employment rate of over-40 generation is quite stable and even shows signs of growth attributed to globally recognized Italian 'craftsmanship'. Samsung Electronics wanted to find a solution that could address youth unemployment while simultaneously continuing the tradition of Italian craftsmanship. In response, the company launched 'Maestro Academy', an online workshop led by great Italian maestros of every field. It was an attempt for youth to rediscover their passion and discover opportunities by learning the techniques and wisdom of the maestros. Smart Bike is the culmination of one such workshops.

The Smart Bike is not only significant because it was hand-crafted by renowned frame Giovanni Pellizzoli and a young aspiring designer named Alice, it also addresses the issue of safety. Italy has the highest death rate for biking accidents in all of Europe, making it one of the most dangerous forms of transportation for Italian citizens according to the Italian National Statistics Office. The maestro and the young designer focused on the issue of safety. The two devised a way to apply 'smart' features to the bike's frame by connecting the bike with Samsung Galaxy smartphones, allowing them to project a bike lane on the group via lasers, utilize a rear-view camera and integrate GPS functionality. A bike that protects its rider by their smartphone was created.

An image shows a laser beam projecting from the S-bike to form lines on the road.

The laser projectors installed on Smart Bike's frame project an exclusive bike lane onto the road as the user rides the bike. Four lasers located on the fork and the seat can be manually operated by the smartphone, or placed on auto-mode where the project recognizes low-light levels and adjusts itself accordingly.

An image shows a rear close-up view of the camera.

The rear view camera is especially acknowledged for its innovation in maintaining rider safety. The camera broadcasts a real-time rear-view of the rider on the smartphone's screen, thereby making riders aware of possible risks that are behind them.

An image shows a smart phone resting between the S-bike's handles. The smartphone's is displaying the S-bike's map screen.

The GPS system goes beyond just providing simple information like a rider's location and the best route; it also acts as a social networking channel. It has the capability to share ride's frequently used routes with their friends. Moreover, riders can even request government offices to construct bike routes wherever the feel is necessary.

A detailed shot shows the bike's aluminum frame. An sketch of the bike is shown in the background.

If you're a fan of Giovanni Pellizzoli, you will be curious to see the result of the collaboration with the young designer, Alice. The Smart Bike's frame aluminum construction allows for a sleek, curved line. This curved line acts as a buffer for dangerous bumps and other vibrations that the rider may experience on the road.