At the cutting edge of cycling, most athletes don’t have access to arguably the most valuable technology of all: aerodynamic testing. It’s considered a privilege when cyclists get to spend hours at special testing facilities, practicing in a wind tunnel to perfect their body positions and equipment choices.
These days, winning an elite bike race often means understanding aerodynamics more than your competitors.
That’s why Paralympian Eric DeGolier founded Body Rocket, a U.K.-based startup that aims to democratize access to aero testing. The brand is developing a high-tech solution involving — you guessed it — artificial intelligence.
The brand claims it’s offering the world’s first device for measuring aerodynamic drag forces in real time. It supposedly provides the accuracy of a wind tunnel, but in any environment — and it just dropped on Kickstarter today.
By placing four airspeed sensors on the bike, the system can access up to 28,000 data points every minute. AI then arranges the large amount of data into helpful information. Instead of the massive expense and logistics involved with wind tunnels, riders could potentially ride anywhere, at any time, and develop a precise plan based on the data.
“It’s the next natural progression within cycling, and Body Rocket is by far the furthest up the road,” professional cyclist Alex Dowsett said in the video below.
A Tool to Overcome Inequality?
While the Body Rocket is certainly a tool for elite cyclists, it may still address an inequality gap that exists even at the highest echelons of the sport.
The Founding Force: Paralympics
DeGolier, the brand’s founder and CEO, came up with the idea of Body Rocket after a frustrating experience competing in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. That’s where he noticed that the wind tunnels — used for analyzing aerodynamics before a race — weren’t available to most competitors.
“I thought being at the Olympic training centers, that I would finally have access to aerodynamic measurement,” DeGolier said. “There was nothing there for any of us at that time — only the very top professionals.”
How Body Rocket Works
Fast-forward 20 years, and now DeGolier is unveiling Body Rocket to the world. The device actually combines three advancements. These start with what the brand calls “the first system to directly measure drag force on a bike.” This is said to be possible due to four sensors placed on the bicycle, including the pedals, handlebars, and under the saddle.
The other two advancements include what Body Rocket calls “the world’s most accurate power meter.” This works with AI software to help riders make sense of all the gathered information.
In testing this year, the brand said the device helped Norwegian triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt save 35 W and gain an extra 3:30 over 40 km on his road bike. Since the Paris Olympics, he has used Body Rocket to save 30 W in his Time Trial position in preparation for the Ironman World Championships.
“Having this next-level data about aerodynamics will help to identify improvements we can’t currently evaluate,” Blummenfelt said on behalf of the brand. “Every single day is almost like being in a wind tunnel, rather than just twice a year.”
Body Rocket: Kickstarter Details
“Imagine a tool that could take you from off the podium straight to the top step.”
That’s how highly Body Rocket believes in the capacity of its tech to confer a game-changing advantage. And it’s part of why this Kickstarter will cost you. The Super Early Bird price includes the basic system — four sensors, power meter pedals, and AI “companion” BRIAN — for about $2,873 (converted from British pounds).
But Body Rocket is selling more than just the device. It will also sell expertise to help riders make the most of their complicated new equipment.
Three additional Kickstarter levels offer regular consultations with the brand’s experts. They range from additional AI support ($3,850) to one-on-one advice ($4,500). Finally, the most expensive Dream Team option (about $6,500) includes personalized training with cyclists Alex Dowsett and James Millard.
In just a few hours on Tuesday morning, the Kickstarter campaign raised nearly its funding goal from just 10 backers. If you’re interested in tech that gives you a “wind tunnel out on the road,” the campaign has 35 more days to go.
