Is “the iPhone among e-bikes” the bicycle revolution? Artificial intelligence is stepping up

Not only are there spokes under the saddle, but also red-hot AI technologies? (khwanchai; stockphoto-graf;wachied/Adobe Stock)

This year's tech trade fair CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is all about artificial intelligence.

Accordingly, bicycle manufacturer Urtopia will also be there with its “Urtopia Fusion”, an e-bike with ChatGPT integration. Urtopia is by no means the only provider of e-bikes and pedelecs. Especially in Germany, companies like Kalkhoff, Prophete and Victoria are known for their bicycles.

But what's initially surprising about the Urtopia Fusion is who helped shape the bike's design language.

What does the new e-bike have to do with Apple?

Who is Hartmut Esslinger? Hartmut Esslinger worked on the design of the bike. Design connoisseurs will be familiar with Esslinger as the creative mind behind Apple's “Snow White” design language. In 1984 the Apple IIc was released. This was the first computer to follow the design, which is characterized, among other things, by light gray colors or simply attached connections.

Esslinger is quoted by Urtopia as saying that the bike is “the iPhone of e-bikes.”

In the side view, the two-wheeled vehicle looks like a normal e-bike. (Urtopia)

What is special about Urtopia Fusion? On its homepage, Fusion advertises the bike as the world's first smart e-bike with voice interaction.

ChatGPT and Bluetooth speakers are installed in the Urtopia Fusion. While you're riding your bike, you should talk to the AI ​​like this, for example, let it tell you interesting information about a tourist attraction near you. You can see how this works in the following video.

Link to YouTube content

What can the bike do? The bike should also have GPS navigation with the outdoor navigation app Komoot. Fitness data should be recorded via the fitness app Strava, or via Google Fit or Apple Heath. According to the manufacturer, there should also be anti-theft protection.

Two batteries with a total of 900 Wh are installed. These should enable a total range of 150 kilometers.

The bike weighs 23 kg. The Urtopia Fusion will only be available in one frame size and is aimed at people between 160 and 190 centimeters tall.

Some of the specifications include 10-speed derailleur, 100mm suspension fork or hydraulic disc brakes.

Availability: In Germany the Urtopia Fusion appears with a mid-engine. In the USA, the Smartbike will be available with all-wheel drive. The bike is expected to arrive in stores from June this year. Cost: around 3,000 euros.

The Urtopia Fusion was previously presented at the Eurobike bicycle trade fair in June 2023.

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Do you think e-bikes with language model-supported voice assistants are a worthwhile invention? Can you imagine other possible uses for GPT & Co. in the area of ​​transportation? Or do such modern bikes seem more like a throwback to Tom Turbo to you? Completely different: Are you waiting until the quadcopter from Tron is launched to get a new bike? Feel free to write us your thoughts about it in the comments.