on its mission to make cycling safer, more enjoyable, and more accessible, UK-based bike navigation company beeline has teamed up with pentagram to design a new companion app for cyclists. called ‘velo 2’, the simple, 4-button device allows you to navigate and track your route without having to dismount and check your phone. connected to the beeline app via bluetooth, it can also record your speed, distance and time while the fuss-free design looks the part on any bike.

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 1

 

 

pentagram collaborated with beeline founders tom putnam and mark jenner and head of design sam lucas on the industrial design of the company’s next-generation velo 2 device. the device partners with an updated beeline app and a new machine-learning algorithm. the algorithm is fuelled by road ratings from cyclists to help find the best cycling routes, optimizing for quieter roads with less traffic and pollution. the new routing algorithm means that riders are able to contribute road ratings in real-time while cycling.

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 6

 

 

the road rating element required dedicated plus and minus buttons on the device and was the primary driver of the initial industrial design development. after exploring multiple button options and form factors the team opted for an upside-down architecture where the whole device functions as a four-way button with the button actuators in the base component. this allowed for a much larger area for the device UI on the top of the device, easy operation without distracting from the road even with gloves on.

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 2

 

 

the outward simplicity of the beeline velo 2 was only possible through intensive technical development, prototyping and UI exploration between the beeline and pentagram teams. the new architecture of the device allowed a smaller form factor, screw-less assembly, full waterproofing, and simpler twist-lock mounting system as well as lower costs, which will make the device accessible to more people. the velo 2 kickstarter campaign closes on friday july 16, 2021, and you can back it here.

 

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 4

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 5

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 3

 

beeline velo 2 a beautiful device for better cycling routes navigation and tracking 7

 

 

project info:

 

name: beeline velo 2
design: beeline and pentagram

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom