Go to any racetrack and what do you see? Race teams hunched over computers analyzing data collected from every practice lap and race. They measure what happens constantly, speed, gear, lean angle, acceleration, g forces, lap time, air temperature, RPM, elevation change, heart rate and more, then after the rider returns they replay the whole thing, sometimes overlaid on a video to see exactly what all of those measurements were at every moment. What if you had capabilities like that? Think you could improve your performance? Sure, you could, but who can afford it? Well, with this new unit, you can. BRAIN One is an amazing new project now on Kickstarter and it offers everything I just outlined and more, and it costs just over $200 to start during the campaign, though it increases incrementally as the reward packages are sold. Got your attention yet?
The self contained unit mounts on your motorcycle and can collect data all day long on one charge. You can take a video of your ride with an action cam, load the video into the BRAIN One app along with your data and the information will display overlaid on the video.
There's a desktop app, a mobile app for your smartphone and it will work with an Apple watch to display the data in realtime while you ride.
You can control and share the results of your sessions via your smartphone or smartwatch and even create your own events or challenge friends. Just download the free BRAIN One app from Google Play or the App Store to access performance data, set up challenges, create events, check improvements, pull up records and more. Once you’re connected with fellow riders on the app, you can also choose to be updated on your standings among friends.
Since the unit is self contained, could you mount this to anything else besides a motorcycle on the track? Of course. Put it on your street bike or dirt bike. How about that go kart? Yep. How about your skateboard, snowboard or surfboard or skis? Yes on all counts because the BRAIN One is waterproof and weatherproof. An open API means software developers can create their own apps for different sports. The possibilities multiply the more you think about it, but if it did nothing else besides motorcycles it would be well worth it.
This is one helluva unit! I expect this to meet the funding goal easily and they say shipments begin May of 2016. Head on over to Kickstarter and check it out.
Link: BRAIN One on Kickstarter
Meehawl says
High tech is so physically unintrusive and undemanding these days you’d have to be a fifth dan black belt Luddite to deny yourself these easy treats.
Always interesting this site, keep em coming Kneeslider.
Paul Crowe says
The smartphone seems to have set off a lot of this, the chips and sensors in those were found to have a lot of uses elsewhere. It’s crazy how fast new tech is coming at us and how much the price is dropping for high level capabilities. Isn’t it great?
Me myself and I says
All cool…all right…except those are not the parameters a race team looks for when collecting data…
Paul Crowe says
Though they are probably among the more useful parameters for the average rider because these give actionable information the rider can use to refine his technique.
As more technical sensors for measuring all aspects of engine and chassis performance become available at an affordable price, we might see those added to devices like this, though how immediately useful it would be would depend on the individual and his access to the tools and personnel able to interpret and apply it.
On the other hand, how adaptable are those pro systems the teams use to other sports beyond the highly specific applications they are currently being used for? This unit can even be used outside of motorsports, which is interesting all by itself.
Peter says
This fifth dan black belt Luddite says: Having all that info, if a rider wants to collect it, should be an individual’s choice. My question is– as with all the other “apps”– is the end user the only one privy to “your” information or do you have to give up your right to privacy (share info with BRAIN/third parties) as a consequence of using the app? If no, then I have no problem with this app/device/toy. If yes, then I will reiterate that people are fools for exchanging their own privacy for the convenience of playing with high tech toys.