I was watching a video on YouTube recently and someone was talking about a new type of 'walkie-talkie' for cyclists. I was intrigued... how did it work? what frequencies? what modes?
A quick search of the product resulted in several links including the manufacturers website and some cycling news websites describing it as a 'communications device, a 'race radio' and a 'little radio network'.
The communication device is shown above and it's the VeloVox from a company called Lazer who are well know in the cycling world for helmets.
The principle is that a user could talk to others in their cycling group and it can operate as a private network. The unit fits on the strap for the helmet and with the addition of noise cancelling software for wind noise, communication with others in the group is possible.
As with many other 'radio' products, it now uses the mobile phone network instead of direct RF between users.
Basically, the unit on the persons head talks to their smartphone in their back pocket by Bluetooth. An app on the phone then communicates via IP over the mobile phone network to another users smartphone and then on to their head unit.
I found it interesting because members of the public still talk about 'radio' and 'walkie talkies' but the reality is a lot of those devices are now IP enabled like 'network radios' and they use the mobile 4G network.
In a sense, it's still 'radio' but just not in the traditional sense that most people expect.
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