Originally Posted by
Hermes
There is a new power meter coming out next year. Here are some details.
"Clark Foy of San Jose Bike Club has invented a new powermeter. It's
a bunch of accelerometers, stuffed into the hollow pedal spindle of a
Speedplay pedal. Not only does it yield power information measured
directly, it also measures left/right, and in each of the pedal circle
quadrants, so that feedback can be incorporated to improve
efficiency. It's wireless, and communicates to existing "head" units
which use the ANT protocol, which most use. Garmin is one such unit;
there are close to 10 brands that could work.
There are computer chips inside which are electrically reprogrammable,
so as the algorithms improve, the pedals can get "software upgraded".
Retail price will be something like $899, which includes the pedals
($200 retail price). You'll need to purchase one of the head units
separately, like a Garmin.
Product will be launched at Interbike, early production late Q4'09,
broader distribution in Q1'10."
This sounds similar in concept to the Brim Brothers shoe based system.
http://www.brimbrothers.com/
However, they've had trouble apparently with working it all out.
One problem would appear to be how the meter measures force in the up stroke, which would likely be a similar problem for the pedal based system.
I hope the Speedplay system makes it to production.
[Edit] actually reading it, it appears its a different system based on acceleromaters, not, pressure on the pedals.