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Front lights in action, best for visibility in rear view mirrors.
SIDEKICK AND MOBILE APP CONTROLS
Aster also ships with an app called the Lumos Aster app to provide add-on functionality. You can use the app to control Aster’s light settings, get low-battery alerts and enable anti-theft protection features. The Aster, the Sidekick and the Lumos Aster mobile app are connected via Bluetooth Smart, courtesy Nordic Semiconductor's nRF51822. The lights can be switched on from Sidekick itself and do not need the app.
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CRASH SENSOR AND ALERT
Sidekick sits on the handlebar of your cycle and when you have a high-impact crash, it will trigger a buzzer on your phone, asking you 'Are you OK?'. If you cannot respond (via app or Sidekick) within a configurable time, the App will message your coordinates to your emergency contact. The user can deactivate this feature, if not required.
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On sensing a crash, the app alerts your emergency contact.
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Aster comes in two striking colors, both of which come in either 18L or 24L capacity. With its sleek shape and discreet appearance, the backpack blends in at the workplace.
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Aster has several
commuter-specific compartments – a minimalist helmet holder, a whistle buckle, tuck-away U-lock holder loops, zippered bottle pockets, rain-cover and an
'In Case of Emergency' information slot In the event of a crash, important information such as blood type, allergens and emergency contact numbers can be accessed easily.
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A commuter's best friend!
You can pack a 15.6 inch laptop with charger, change of clothes and shoes, smaller gadgets, books, bike-tools and spares, rain-jacket, a 1-liter water bottle and even your lunch!
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Room for your 15.6" laptop, 1-Liter water bottle and your bike tools.
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Aster opens up completely, allowing for easy packing and selective access.
The bag is also weather-resistant, with a waterproof TPU coated exterior and rain-resistant zippers that cause water to bead up and roll off the surface.
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Waterproof zippers keep the water out!
What's more, it makes for easy cleaning, which means you don't have to worry about splash-back!
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Easy-to-clean waterproof material!
In November 2016 we shipped out Aster Beta backpacks to 50 Beta testers across 18 countries. Since then, Aster has been rigorously tested in all conditions from peak Australian summers to sub-zero Swedish winters. Here's what some of our beta testers had to say about their Aster.
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“The lights on the pack could be seen by my partner brightly to the end of the street (over 100m!!!) And cars kept right away from me”
“The lights are awesome and in general the layout with the different zippered pockets is excellent.”
“I was also surprised how bright the back lights of the Aster were. I was blinded by the red light, and I think that I could use it even at daytime. This is amazing!”
“The opening is possibly the best opening of any bag that I have. It's fantastic.”
“I now finally got the Aster Beta - and it is beautiful!”
“Impressed with the "In Case Of Emergency' feature...Because we are nurses so it's a very useful feature for us in case of emergency.”
“The quality of the backpack is great.. I like the zippers and it's very comfortable to wear it. I drove a couple of time in the rain, with and without raincap. No porblem at all, nothing went wet.“
“I absolutely like the profile lights. I think it's making me much more visible from the side.”
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Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Beta testers, we've have invaluable feedback about both Aster and Sidekick. Aster is already in production, Sidekick is undergoing a few design tweaks, making it smaller, and easier to use with winter gloves. The basic version of the app is available on Android and iOS, and we are now building additional functionality into the app.
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A combination of super-geeky engineers and creative designers who are mad about cycling is what the diverse Lumos team is built of. We believe that an improvement in cycling safety would lead to an overall higher adoption of cycling as a form of commute across the world!
We’ve successfully delivered solar-powered cyclist backpacks (the Lumos unPlug Solar Backpack and the Lumos ThrillSeeker Solar Backpack) across 16 countries over the last 3 years. These backpacks have an integrated Solar Fabric (yes fabric, not panels), so riders can charge their devices with the bag, while on the move! In fact, the ThrillSeeker was voted by BikeMagazin.de as one of 15 innovations to watch out for at EuroBike!
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Aster's already created a buzz!
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Any new product brings with it a few risks. We face 2 kinds of risks here:
Product Risk - Aster is a backpack that’s also an electronics product. We need to ensure that Aster can not only handle daily wear-and-tear, but also make sure that the electronics are robust enough to handle crashes. We’re confident that the pilot lot will help us identify any errors. The prototypes will also be put through more rigorous testing during the campaign, helping us identify vulnerabilities in the design. We will keep you updated as we identify any potential problems.
Delivery Risk - Our team has delivered 2 products from the concept stage to the final high-quality production piece, which will help us avoid common errors that could potentially cause delays in production. Although we work with a seasoned manufacturer, there is a possibility that we’ve under-estimated the time needed for manufacturing, so we’ve added a buffer in our timelines. The pilot lot of 50 would also help us correct the manufacturing processes as well.
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When do the brake lights come on?
The brake lights detect your speed in intervals of 300 milli-seconds. They detect a deceleration of approx 0.8kilometers per hour/0.5 miles per hour within 300 milli-seconds.
If I lock my bike using the app and the bike falls over, wouldn't it trigger the alarm?
The alarm triggers only if there is a directional motion for longer than 5 seconds. For example, if the bike is constantly vibrating (parked in a shaky ship maybe?), it wouldn't trigger the alarm.
Can I change the color of the lights? Can I make them brighter?
Lumos app gives you control over the brightness of the lights. You can change the brightness within the allowed range. Changing the color is not allowed at this time, and wouldn’t be advisable. The colors we have used are carefully chosen to match what other motorists expect. Also, regulations in several geographies restrict the colors of lights while biking.
Would Aster replace my existing bike lights?
No. The Aster adds a layer of security. In some countries, Aster meets the rear lights regulations. But it is recommended that you use the Aster in conjunction with your existing lights.
Is the backpack water-proof?
The bag is made of waterproof TPU coated Polyester fabric, and has a water-resistant zip protecting the main compartment. This means rain droplets will bead up and roll off the surface of the bag. In a very heavy rain shower, however, water may eventually penetrate the seams of the bag. We advise using the raincover provided.
Have you identified the manufacturers?
Yes. We already manufacture both Electronics and Backpacks for another line of cycling products. We have worked with our existing partners to create the prototypes, and have discussed the timelines in detail with them.
In the UK/EU the recognized indication to turn left or right is by hand signal as laid out in the highway code. What is the legal position on using lights as an indicator of turning?
We would advise you to always follow local laws and regulations. Hence, while the indicator would be tremendously useful, we would recommend that you use it in addition to the hand signal.
Is the handlebar unit water-proof? Can it handle exposure to Sun/heat?
The handle-bar unit is being built to be weather-resistant. It will withstand up to 10 cms of rain. In case of heavy rains or prolonged exposure to the elements, we recommend that you remove the unit. The handlebar unit can also withstand long exposure to Sun and heat. Its operational temperature 0 degrees Celsius/32 degree Fahrenheit to 55 degrees Celsius/131 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I leave the handle-bar unit on the bike?
Yes, you can. The handlebar unit can only be detached through the use of Allenkey. If used with the theft alarm, attempts to steal the handlebar unit would also trigger the alarm.
How often do I need to change the battery in the handle-bar unit? How do I change it?
The handle-bar unit is a low power device. You can expect about 300 hours of usage from it. Changing the handle-bar unit battery is simple. An instructional video will be prepared for the same - though the instruction manual that ships with Aster will also detail the procedure out.
How do I know if the handle-bar unit battery is low?
The handle-bar unit would independently give you a low battery warning. At any time, you can check the handle-bar unit battery levels through the app. The app will warn you too, when your battery levels go below 15%.
What happens if I lock my bike and then my phone goes out of charge?
The app helps you set a 10-key secret combination on the handle-bar unit. So, instead of the app, you can use the combination of the 3 keys on the handle-bar unit to key in your code, and the bike will unlock!
What certifications would the electronics meet?
The electronics would meet the required and applicable CE and FCC certifications.We will update all backers on status of certifications. Our other product (Lumos ThrillSeeker) is also CE-certified and we sought certification for the same from TUV.
What happens if I lose my phone?
You can continue to use Aster and operate it through the handle-bar unit. Without the phone, you can’t configure the lights.
Is the app available for Android and iPhone?
Yes
Which version of Bluetooth does the app work with?
The app uses Bluetooth 4.0 to connect to Aster and the handle-bar unit. If you have doubts, please mail us your phone model number and we can advise you appropriately.
What is the warranty on Aster?
Aster comes with a year replacement warranty (against manufacturing defects) on both the electronics and the backpack itself.
How much will shipping / delivery cost?
The shipping has been calculated per region and will be added before you check-out on the Indiegogo page.
Will I be charged Customs duty or ‘administration fee’?
This is complicated and depends significantly on the the country you are ordering from. Short answer is that you are likely to be charged customers in your country and you would be asked to pay it at the time of delivery. You can use www.dutycalculator.com to get an idea about the customs.
Can you handle the VAT from your end before we receive Aster?
Yes, the prices include all taxes and that includes VAT. If logistically, we are unable to pay the VAT from India, we might request you to pay it and refund you through Paypal.
