The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which kicks off January 5, 2017 in Las Vegas is considered the world's largest consumer electronics event. From autonomous cars and self-driving tech to robotics, wearables and connected devices, the event showcases what's to come in the future of gadgets.
The solar wheel that turns a regular bike into an electric bike (Image courtesy of Rool'in)
There will be around 250 French tech companies at CES 2017. In addition, 172 French startus will attend CES as part of La French Tech at Euraka Park. One of those companies, Rool'in, will preview a connected solar wheel that turns a regular bike into a solar e-bike.
There are other solar e-bikes on the market, but they come pre-made. And the concept of turning your regular bike into an e-bike is not entirely new. Geo Orbital also has a detachable wheel that turns your bike into an e-bike. But the difference with Rool'in lies in the wheel. Their wheel is a solar wheel loaded with photovoltaic cells that keep the wheel charged up as you pedal. No plugs or wires are necessary.
The wheel is connected by Bluetooth to the app which lets users set the charging level of the wheel as it corresponds to their speed. The solar wheel has GPS and gives the user the ability to choose the best location to park the bike to optimize battery charging. The wheel comes in three wheel sizes, 20, 26 and 28 inches, including one for mountain bikes.
The company says the wheel is designed to simplify urban journeys and reduce environmental impact. The solar wheel will be available in June 2017.
