en.Wedoany.com Reported - German automaker Volkswagen has unveiled an electric bicycle equipped with an integrated rearview camera and dashboard display, claiming it to be the world's first model featuring such technology. Licensed by Volkswagen and developed in collaboration with high-end e-bike manufacturer n+, the safety design philosophy extends Volkswagen's decades-long "Safety First" principle from the automotive sector.
Volkswagen stated that the new e-bike series does not focus on larger-capacity batteries or more powerful motors, but rather aims to enhance riders' visibility on the road and improve their awareness of the surrounding environment. The core of the system is Smart View, which combines an integrated high-definition rearview camera with radar-assisted traffic monitoring.
The display is integrated into the handlebars and receives real-time footage from a high-definition camera mounted on the rear fender, allowing riders to see what is behind them without turning their heads. Meanwhile, a radar sensor (similar to products launched by Garmin) issues warnings when vehicles enter the rider's blind spot. This technology resembles the increasingly common camera-based rearview mirror systems in modern passenger cars, and the company believes it could represent one of the most significant safety advancements in the e-bike market in recent years.
Volkswagen and n+ have also developed a full-length LED light strip running along the top tube of the frame. The system functions like automotive daytime running lights, glowing red when braking and amber when turning, communicating the rider's intentions to other road users.
An optional smart helmet can sync with the e-bike via Bluetooth, mirroring the bike's light signals, and features a built-in accelerometer that automatically sends a text message to loved ones in the event of a detected collision. Inspired by automotive head-up displays, the smart glasses—developed by engineers who previously worked on fighter pilot helmet-mounted displays—project navigation instructions, blind spot warnings, and riding information directly into the rider's field of view.
Peter Jost, CEO of Volkswagen Accessories, Lifestyle, and Licensing Business, stated that while such technology is most common in the automotive sector, its application on e-bikes demonstrates how safety systems can evolve and adapt in meaningful ways. Despite being packed with new technology, these innovative e-bikes are priced competitively with high-end rivals. The sport model starts at £3,999 (approximately $5,300 / AU$7,700) in the UK, including the Smart View rearview monitor. The smart helmet and smart glasses each cost an additional £499 (approximately $670 / AU$960).
