Frankfurt, Germany-based iCradle, Inc.‘s COBI, the world’s smartest connected biking system reached the finish line of its Kickstarter campaign with a resounding triumph, having raised just over $400,000 in less than a month. This exceeds its initial fundraising goal by 402%.
As previously reported, COBI is considered a “world-first” in many ways. It’s the first integrated system for bikes, integrating the most popular smartphones, which turns every bike into a smart bike at an affordable price. The patented system integrates five typical bike accessories into one design: a light, a navigation system, a smartphone holder with charging function, a bell, and a bike computer.
COBI’s greatest strength lies in the in the seamless integration of more than 100 features that make biking more connected, smarter and safer: Navigation system, weather barometer, music player, smartphone-charger, thumb controller, brake light, Indicators, alarm system, online services, social media, mobile connectivity, fitness interface, styling kits and much more.
The connected biking system was designed to be future proof: The modular construction allows the device to be upgraded for the next generations of smartphones. It also offers a number of partner programs for bike manufacturers, retailers and service partners. An SDK for Software Developers will allow other companies to extend and integrate with the COBI system.
Highlights of the campaign include:
More than $400,000 raised in only 30 days- Nearly 1,900 backers from 18 countries
- On average 300 customer enquiries per day
- Over 55 industry inquiries for B2B/OEM versions of COBI
- 12 investor requests
- 15 job applications
- Overwhelming response in social media: more than 2 million people reached and more than 200,000 video views
- Further countries added due to strong backer demand (e.g. Switzerland, Singapore)
In addition, COBI is reportedly ranked the third most successful Kickstarter campaigns from Germany. It also was dubbed the second most successful bike accessory campaign and the fourth most successful bike campaign in Kickstarter history. This is all the more incredible considering the campaign ran during what isn’t traditionally considered bike season.
The campaign featured a series of stretch goals that were met, which means that COBI will be available across more iPhone and Android phone models than originally planned.
Founder of iCradle, Andreas Gahlert stated,”The COBI Kickstarter campaign highlighted a demand that we expected was there — consumers crave safe, affordable, integrated smartphone biking technology. We’re grateful to the feedback we’ve received and the interest fans have shown us. What really surprised me is the huge demand from both consumers and the cycling industry. This indicates that we are on the right track!”
On the heels of COBI’s Kickstarter success, COBI was awarded two accolades, a Bluetooth Breakthrough Award by CNET at CES earlier this week and was named a finalist in the Wearable Technologies’ Innovation World Cup. Even though the Kickstarter campaign is closed, people interested in pre-ordering the COBI system can visit its website. It is expected to ship later this year.
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