Smart bike

If given enough time, any determined thief can wrest a bicycle free. Lock8 reimagines bicycle security by using hardware and software to detect and respond to a potential theft. A gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a temperature sensor can pick up on a variety of assaults, including bolt cutters, chainsaws, blowtorches, and ice sprays. And the system will respond to any threat by blaring an alarm and sending alerts to a phone.

The brainchild of an ER doctor and an economist, Lock8 weighs less than a pound and connects to a bicycle’s rear hub. The accompanying app provides keyless entry, and by sharing the e-key, anyone can loan or rent his or her bicycle. European bike-share programs are the first to use Lock8; it’s being released this month. The company also plans to develop models for consumers.