Škoda, whose foundations were laid in 1895 with the production of bicycles, has achieved a remarkable innovation against the increasing number of bicycle accidents in urban traffic. The brand introduced the new generation bicycle bell called “DuoBell”, which it developed to provide a solution to the awareness problem created by active noise canceling (ANC) headphones.
Developed within the scope of the work carried out by Škoda with scientists, DuoBell, unlike classic bicycle bells, uses a sound frequency that can exceed the noise canceling algorithms of the headphones. In this way, the likelihood of pedestrians, especially those using headphones, noticing cyclists is significantly increased.
With the increase in bicycle use in big cities, there is also an increase in accidents with distracted pedestrians. For example, it is stated that such accidents will increase by 24 percent in London alone in 2024. The widespread use of headphones with ANC technology, which filters environmental sounds, plays an important role in this increase.
DuoBell, developed by Škoda, offers an “analog” solution to this problem. The bell, which has a completely mechanical structure, produces sound in the 750–780 Hz range, which headphones cannot filter. In addition, thanks to its double resonator structure and irregular pulse mechanism, it creates a complex sound wave that noise canceling algorithms cannot suppress.
Additional reaction distance of up to 22 meters
Tests show that DuoBell provides tangible benefits in terms of security. According to measurements, pedestrians using active noise canceling headphones can notice the warning 5 seconds earlier or gain an additional reaction distance of up to 22 meters, thanks to this new buzzer. This means a critical safety advantage in urban traffic. While the effectiveness of the product was confirmed in real use tests carried out on the streets of London, it was noteworthy that the couriers who participated in the trial wanted to continue using the bell.
Škoda’s “Simply Clever” approach
The DuoBell project stands out as a reflection of the “Simply Clever”, that is, Rational Solutions approach that Škoda has adopted for many years. The brand has redesigned the bicycle bell, which has remained almost unchanged for over 100 years, by adapting it to today’s digital habits.
Referring to its deep-rooted history that started with bicycle production, Škoda continues to maintain its commitment to bicycle culture today. The brand, which supports many international organizations, especially the Tour de France, as well as local events such as L’Étape Türkiye by Tour de France held in Türkiye, aims to increase safety in urban mobility with projects such as DuoBell.
Automobile Magazine – English
