Recent Entries

In our "Weekly Innovation" blog series, we explore an interesting idea, design or product that you may not have heard of yet. Do you have an innovation to share? Submit with this form.

The Skylock can let you share your bike with others — and it'll send you a text if it thinks a thief has his hands on it. A San Francisco startup is starting an online funding campaign for the lock, which is planned for release in late 2014. The company says it will start "the age of connected cycling."

The lock's connection comes via Bluetooth, which a bicycle owner can use to unlock the bike. The lock can also connect via Wi-Fi; it has the ability to send for help if the device believes you've suffered a bad crash. And the lock is powered by built-in solar panels.

"This is the first 'Internet of things' device that's virtually chargeless," says Jack Al-Kahwati, a former Boeing engineer who co-founded Velo Labs, the company that makes the Skylock. "The solar panel is constantly trickle-charging the battery."

Skylock owners can share the lock's passcode with other riders — and set a time limit on their access. Those features will be included in an app that'll be released along with the lock, Al-Kahwati says.

"We definitely see the idea of being able to open this to anybody, allowing anybody to 'Airbnb' their bikes," he says, referring to the home rental startup. "If you wanted to start your own informal bike-share, it's completely possible right out of the gate."

i i