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slagjumper
 
...in "emerging markets"

I thought that this was ironic considering all the accidents that cell phone toting motorists cause. Guy looks a bit like PeeWee as well.

http://gaming.engadget.com/2007/01/09/motorola-to-roll-out-cellphone-charging-bicycle-in-emerging-mar/

Here's one we weren't exactly counting on seeing. Motorola's cheif executive Ed Zander rolled into a packed room here at CES on a bright yellow bicycle, topped off by having Queen's "Bicycle Race" cranked in the background. Yes, oddly enough, Motorola is coming out with a self-branded bike for "emerging markets," which translates into countries where energy sources are scarce. While the company has seen declines here in America due to a very saturated handset market, nearly 5 million folks per month are going mobile in China, thus the need to penetrate those potentially lucrative third world areas. The vehicle will sport a cellphone charging system to provide a way to energize those handsets so intently desired all around the globe. As expected, a cradle on the handlebars would house the mobile, while the motion of the pedals would generate electricity to recharge its battery pack. While this might not sound convenient or even worthwhile in a place like America, "more than 500 million Chinese people rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation," which could also mean that half a billion folks in China will soon be cruising the streets while doubling as an AC adapter.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/01/1-9-07-motobike.jpg


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jwc
 
I turn my phone off when I ride.

I call it "escapism".


recursive
 
Two top tubes. That stuff is cutting edge.


slagjumper
 
They just better not try to sell it in Guangzho. They are busy killing electric bikes there, imagine what they'll do with this!

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-eastasia.asp?parentid=60707.


AndrewP
 
You only need 6V to charge a cell phone so couldnt you use any cheap dynamo?


slagjumper
 
Also looks like the Motorola Developement Team should have got it together to use a longer wire from the top tube to the cradle, before the initial rollout.


unkchunk
 
Maybe the folks at Motorola are so car dependent that they think a bicycle with a generator is a radical new thing. I hope the company isn't staking it's future on this.


slagjumper
 
The bike seems so ill conceiced that, I am thinking that the point of this "emerging markets" campaign is really just a way of selling cell phone use in cars as safe in existing markets. There must be anti cell phone legislation in the works in at least 25 states.


grapetonix
 
Sounds good, if outlets are hard to find, but are they that uncommon in China?
Anyone who uses their phone so much that the battery goes flat in a day uses it too much, imo.


sbhikes
 
You guys forget that in these "emerging markets" people live in slums. I think it's a good idea. And, naturally, it'll be stolen and copied right away if this is something the people want.

(I swear if you think a lot of people have cell phones in the West you should go to Asia.)


slagjumper
 
Looks like Motorola and bicycles go way back. 3 tube radio on a bike.
http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/3839/bike/motorola_bike_radio_ad1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/3839/bike/columbia_radio.html


Tom Stormcrowe
 
Sounds good, if outlets are hard to find, but are they that uncommon in China?
Anyone who uses their phone so much that the battery goes flat in a day uses it too much, imo.
My brother lives in the Philippines and I'll tell ya, this would go over very well there! There are areas quite remote that have cell coverage and no electricity. The Philippines have been expanding wireless heavily because in the long and short run, it's cheaper to set up a tower and solar/battery combination to power the repeater than it is to wire the area for communications. :p


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