Networked exercise bikes motivate bored riders

If the Wii has taught us anything, it's that competitive games don't have to be played from the comfort of a couch. Germany's Daum Electronics, a company that makes an exercise bike with a difference -- the Ergo Bike Premium 8i -- has certainly realized this. Its Ergo Bike is kitted up with a screen, camera, speakers and microphones, and the array of usual sensors: its most important asset, however, is an internet connection. This enables riders from different countries and continents to race (and sweat) with each other, or team up together to beat a simulated race. It's kind of an expensive hobby though, riding in at $3,500 a unit. Another firm called Expresso Fitness has a bike with an entirely unique 3D environment (pictured), and an entirely higher price tag no doubt.

[BumpCty @ Sep 10th 2007 2:08AM]

3D environment? Like when you're riding your bike outside?

[ryanmbruce @ Sep 10th 2007 7:15AM]

You can ride the Kettler Ergoracer GT in Stuttgart (at of last night) near Konigstrasse. It's similar to these, but it seems to be less fancy. The version they have there is not networked like these, and the movement through the 3D environment they have it coupled with makes it very unrealistic. It's like you're flying instead of biking. I'll wait until they stick one of these on a motion base and put a true 3D display behind it...

[coffeepot64 @ Sep 10th 2007 8:29AM]

This might get people off the couch. Will it incorporate gaming? They could put the control buttons on the handle bars.