Students develop ‘smart’ bicycle rear light with Bluetooth and 140 LEDs

A number of students from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences have developed a ‘smart’ rear light for bicycles. The rear lamp has 140 red LEDs that can be programmed, for example as a brake light. An anti-theft feature is also built in and communication is via bluetooth.

The ‘smart’ rear light is called 8Rlicht. The 140 LEDs placed in a matrix in the rear light can display messages via a mobile app, but also serve as a brake light. Control is via Bluetooth low energy. The rear light can also automatically flash and produce a sound when the bicycle owner searches for his bicycle in a busy garage and comes close.

It is also possible to sound a loud alarm if the bike is moved without the owner around, although the makers are also working on a silent alarm function. A motion detector has been incorporated in the lamp for this purpose. In the event of a silent alarm, for example, the parking manager receives a message via bluetooth, according to the makers. The alarm function can be turned off manually by entering a unique code via a button at the bottom, for example if the bicycle owner has forgotten his mobile phone.

In addition to a safer bicycle light, the makers also want to implement some ‘nice’ functions, such as a warning message on the rear light when the cyclist opens Whatsapp on his mobile. A fitness function and a ‘wheelie timer’ should also become part of the 8Rlicht app.

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to market the 8R light, which requires AA batteries for power. The students are looking for a relatively large sum with an amount of 200,000 euros. Participants who invest 40 euros in the project are promised a ‘smart’ rear light.