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www.dailymail.co.uk_sciencetech 2015 02591.txt.txt

#Ford unveils its all-terrain electric bike: Folding Mode: Flex has sat-nav, collision sensors and adapts to roads and mountains By Victoria Woollaston for Mailonline Published: 10:54 GMT, 24 june 2015 Updated: 10:54 GMT, 24 june 2015 Google and Blocks may be leading the way when it comes to modular phones and watches, but Ford is hoping to bring the concept to your morning commute. At a conference in California, the car maker unveiled its latest prototype folding electric bike called Mode: Flex. It builds on the technology used in Ford's previous electric bikes but adds a twist-the battery, motor and wheels can be swapped easily and replaced for different riders and varying terrains. Scroll down for video The Mode: Flex joins the Mode: Me and Mode: Pro bikes unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona under Ford's Handle on Mobility scheme. Its prototypes are powered each by 200-watt motors, fold to fit on a train or in the boot of a car, and with pedal assist, help riders reach speeds of up to 15mph (25km/h). They are also part of the company's wider Smart mobility plan, designed to make cars and other vehicles more connected. With all of its protoypes, Ford took inspiration from technology seen in cars including rear-facing ultrasonic sensors. These sensors link with the handlebars to discreetly alert the rider when a car is about to overtake using subtle vibrations. These handlebars also light up to make the bikes more visible to motorists. And each of the bikes works with an app called Mode: Link, currently only compatible with the iphone 6. This app acts as a sat-nav and sends vibrations to the handlebars so the rider knows when to change direction. Turn signals are triggered then automatically for safety. The app also finds bike-friendly roads, hazards and alerts, and could'communicate'with other vehicles. Its multimodal navigation and smart routing lets riders filter journeys based on cost, time, and the amount of cycling required, compared to driving. This map additionally shows the weather, parking costs and charging stations. Ford said:''Mode: Flex is Ford's third, most versatile ebike yet-easily reconfigurable for different customer needs. The bike's centre frame assembly includes the motor and battery, while the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be configured for road, mountain or city riding''In many cities, driving your vehicle from home to work is explained not feasible Ford.''Mode: Flex is Ford's third, most versatile ebike yet-easily reconfigurable for different customer needs.''The bike's centre frame assembly includes the motor and battery, while the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be configured for road, mountain or city riding.''It added the bike can also be charged while stowed in the back of a car. As part of the announcement, Ford also said it is extending its Mode: Link app for use on the smartwatch to bring real-time data to the rider's wrist. This includes a'no sweat'mode which increases electric pedal assist based on heart rate. The wearable also provides safety notifications. Hazards, such as potholes ahead, are signalled through vibrating handlebars, plus the smartwatch alerts the rider and beeps. There are no immediate plans to release the bikes but Ford said they will help test alternative transportation ideas. t

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