Bosch introduces heart rate monitoring in update to Kiox e-bike systems

Bosch has updated its Kiox e-bike computers to display a range of new performance and health data, including heart rate information from external devices.

Riders will now be able to monitor their heart rate through their Kiox 300 or Kiox 500 display once it is paired with a compatible heart rate monitor, such as a chest strap or watch, via Bluetooth. It will give riders with a focus on health or fitness a new way to measure their performance alongside other metrics which are already integrated into the system, including wattage and cadence.

Kiox displays - one of the German brand’s many ranges of displays - form one part of what Bosch calls the ‘Smart System’, sitting alongside the motor, battery and the eBike Flow App in a system that is completely connected. The display forms an integral part of this, providing a rider with key information and certain functionality.

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Beyond heart rate monitoring, this information has also been expanded in the latest update to include an ‘elevation graph’. Another feature targeted at fitness and performance, it displays a rider’s energy use against their current position on a route.

Performance data is a big focus through the latest update too, leading to another notable new feature in the form of the ‘riding mode usage’ screen. This will breakdown how a rider uses the different assistance levels in the form of a pie chart.

Bosch has also introduced a ‘dynamic display’ function which alters the way the screen delivers information. The data displayed will now change according to the terrain a rider is on in an attempt to ensure that they get the most useful data at the right time. When riding downhill, for example, Bosch says that the screen will change to focus on speed, while the general overview screen will return when on the flat. When an e-bike stops, the Kiox displays switch to a new screen with a summary of data from the ride.

© Bosch

Through the eBike Flow App, riders can alter the activated ride modes

Beyond the Kiox displays, Bosch has made changes to the eBike Flow App too, which now allows riders to customise their ride modes. Only four ride modes can be configured at one time but these were previously selected and locked in by the e-bike manufacturer that the Bosch system was sold with. Functionality has been added to the app that will allow riders to alter this configuration and choose up to four modes that are compatible with their specific drive units. These changes can be made under the new ‘Custom riding modes’ section of the app.

Bosch

Bosch eBike Systems is an arm of the Bosch multinational technology company, specialising in drive units and batteries for e-bikes.