MIT develops Copenhagen wheel

They say don’t reinvent the wheel, but we’re guessing that the boffins at MIT didn’t get that memo, having developed a smart wheel that could propel bicycle riders in the 21st century. Dubbed the Copenhagen wheel, the wheel itself comes with a battery that stores energy generated each time you step on the brakes. This energy can be returned to help you out when tackling a particular hill or giving you that extra boost of speed. A sensor within the hub will measure your effort while you ride, where pedaling forward will cause the wheel’s electric motor to give you a boost. Should you brake, the motor regenerates, helping you slow down while juicing up its batteries. This ought to go some way in encouraging folks to cycle more than they ride their car, especially when it involves errands just a few blocks down the road. The Copenhagen wheel is expected to arrive in the market within one year, where it should retail between $500 and $1,000. Can’t they make it more affordable for emerging markets?