Cochrane, Alberta – July 2, 2015 – ANT Wireless, proven innovator in ultra low power (ULP) wireless technology, today announces ANT+ support within the Varia line of smart cycling devices by Garmin. The first-of–its-kind rearview bike radar, radar display unit, smart bike headlight, tail light, and remote adopt the ANT+ Bike Lights device profile offering the consumer an enhanced riding experience. Owners of compatible Edge® products from Garmin will be able to take advantage of extended Varia features thanks to ANT+ interoperability. ANT+ integration within the Varia smart cycling line enables the user to combine with compatible Garmin Edge products to further control and customize an enriched unique ride. The Varia line will begin shipping in Q3 of 2015.

Varia Rearview Bike Radar

Motor vehicle incidents with cyclists contribute to a large number of serious injuries each year.  The first-of-its-kind ANT+ enabled Varia rearview bike radar system aims to alert cyclists of approaching vehicles and aims to assist in creating a safer transportation environment for cyclists and motorists alike.

Thanks to ANT+ interoperability, the Varia rearview bike radar can communicate risk via the radar display unit, or any compatible Garmin Edge cycling computer. The rearview radar unit can detect up to 8 vehicles from up to 140m (153 yards) behind, offers flashing or solid lighting and, if enabled, goes one step further by increasing brightness or flashing speed as vehicles approach.

Varia Smart Bike Lights
 
The Varia smart bike lights adopt the ANT+ Bike Lights device profile to enable control over these advanced and innovative cycling products. The bike lights can be manually adjusted or automatically controlled by a compatible Garmin Edge cycling computer that adjusts the headlight beam focus based on the cyclist’s speed. Faster cycling speeds illuminate a farther distance and then adjust to a closer distance as the rider slows, focusing the light where it is most useful. Shining 100 lux at 10 meters, the headlight also prevents blinding by implementing a high-beam cut-off for oncoming vehicles. 

The Varia tail light is equally impressive and dynamic, offering solid and flashing modes which adjust intensity to warn approaching traffic that the bike is slowing down. The addition of a second tail light enables turn signal functionality. By using the ANT+ Bike Lights profile, the Varia remote or compatible Garmin Edge cycling computers control pattern, turn signal, intensity and on/off functions and, with the Edge 1000, brightness based on ambient light conditions. 

“ANT+ is proud to be contributing to an industry movement to enable safer cycling and to be part of an innovative set of products that takes riding to the next level”, said James Fujimoto, Director - ANT Wireless. “ANT+ enables devices within the Varia line to seamlessly connect with each other and compatible Edge ® cycling computers. ANT+ interoperability permits key information to pass between the displays and lights/sensors to simultaneously warn approaching vehicles of a cyclist ahead and warn the cyclist of vehicles that are approaching them from behind; features that can enhance the rider’s safety.”

# # #
About ANT / ANT+ (www.thisisant.com):
ANT is an established protocol and silicon solution for ultra-low power (ULP) practical wireless networking applications. With over 100 million devices in the market, ANT+ facilitates interoperability between ANT+ products and the collection and automatic transfer of sensor data. Applicable in sport, wellness management and home health monitoring, ANT+ (built on the base ANT protocol) defines device profiles that specify data formats, channel parameters and network keys.
ANT+ is the pervasive ULP wireless technology facilitating the capture of critical market share in the exploding mobile sensor sector. This standardized communication platform enables quick-to-market solutions for application developers, sensor manufacturers, and cell phone makers. ANT+ has amassed an ecosystem of world-class technology vendors in the ANT+ Alliance, an open special interest group of companies who have adopted the ANT+ promise of interoperability. These industry leaders offer readily-available brand name products for sport, wellness management and home health monitoring.  Visit thisisant.com/directory for a complete listing of ANT+ certified and verified products.
The company behind ANT Wireless is Dynastream Innovations Inc. (www.dynastream.com). Dynastream was established in 1998 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. in December 2006. Dynastream is based in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, and is a world innovator in the research and development of inertial and wireless technology.

ANT+ Product Directory (www.thisisant.com/directory):
The ANT+ Product Directory is a complete inventory of all ANT+ certified or verified products. It is a tool designed specifically to help consumers source hundreds of industry-leading devices and all compatible products within the vast ANT+ ecosystem. Apps and devices may be searched by product name, brand, activity or product category, allowing the consumer to create a monitoring system that meets their specific needs.

FCC Notice:
The Varia Bike Lights have not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. These devices are not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

Media Contact:
Steph Schlachter
Marketing Coordinator
ANT Wireless
[email protected]

< Back to News