14 DAY TRIAL // The new device, named Varia, is launched by Garmin as being the first in the world rear-oriented radar to help warn both drivers and cyclists of an impending collision.
The radar will warn riders of approaching vehicles up to 140 meters behind and flash the taillight to catch the vehicle driver's attention. Varia can be used in tandem with a receiver that will display speed and distance of approaching vehicles. Also, users will be able to use it together with Garmin's Edge series bicycle-use GPS navigation devices.
The technology isn't new for Varia though, as it acquired South Africa company iKubu in 2015. The iKubu Backtracker was in the final stages of development when Garmin bought the South-African company. The device was meant to provide unparalleled situational awareness by giving the cyclist the speed and distance of vehicles that are approaching from behind.
The road is scanned by a rear-facing radar module that also doubles as a dynamically flashing caution light, and the information is sent wirelessly, by Bluetooth maybe, to a handlebar-mounted head unit.
Big bucks buy great ideas
The acquisition was somehow to be expected, as Garmin is a major player in the GPS navigation together with a wide array of gadgets that help navigation in the automotive, aviation, fitness, marine and outdoor recreation. From this financial position, it managed to enter the bicycle business by buying iKubu directly.
Not a nice move from Garmin to actually steal iKubu's idea, but at the end, that was the whole plan of buying Backtracker together with iKubu. Now Garmin will make the money.
iKubu, however, did plan to add an API inside their radar that would've allowed 3rd partied, including Garmin, to integrate its Edge units with this device. However, its manufacturing muscle didn't allow the company to refine its design and include more fancy designs, as iKubu was a relatively small business.
Looking at it in perspective, Garmin ultimately refined and improved what the consumers wanted from the device, to be paired and working with more advanced GPS systems that will offer a complete package of information.
