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Toy giant Fisher-Price lauches 'turbo trainer' for tots

Bluetooth-enabled static cycle comes with game apps to help kids learn while they pedal

US toy giant Fisher Price has today announced a new version of its Smart Cycle static bike, and which is in effect, a turbo trainer for kids aged three to six years.

Launched at the CES 2017 consumer electronics and technology show in Las Vegas, the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Smart Cycle will come to market later this year, with a price tag stateside of $150.

The original Smart Cycle, pictured below and launched around a decade ago, could be plugged into a TV, with a host of games available to keep youngsters entertained while they pedalled.

Fisher Price Smart Cycle original.jpg

But the new version takes the technology to a whole new level – it will be equipped with Bluetooth and can be paired Apple TV and other streaming services, and also has a tablet stand.

There’s an educational element, too. It will come with a free game that combines elements of mathematics and science and social studies subjects.

Other apps, available for around $5 each, will include a SpongeBob SquarePants one as part of a collaboration with kid-focused entertainment channel, Nickelodeon.

Parents will also be able to monitor just how much pedalling their kids are doing, apparently through smartphone apps that link to the toy.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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8 comments

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jollygoodvelo | 7 years ago
0 likes

If there's any resistance on that at all, without lumbar support they're creating a generation of kids with lower back problems.  Terrible idea.

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step83 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Two things

Seating position looks terrible!

Also now toddlers will be beating my zwift times...

 

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Bez | 7 years ago
0 likes

"Hooning around the house on a balance bike"? How big is your house?!

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fustuarium | 7 years ago
7 likes

Is it just me that thinks "No, no, no"? How does this replace what a child learns hooning around the house on a balance bike or learning to walk and balance? Teaches maths and science? That's the same guff that is attached to these sorts of products time and again to appease parents conscience for turning their kids in to static puddings so the adult can do other things without being disturbed by their peaky kid. A criminal waste of good plastic that could be Lego bricks instead.

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Velomark replied to fustuarium | 7 years ago
1 like

fustuarium wrote:

Is it just me that thinks "No, no, no"? How does this replace what a child learns hooning around the house on a balance bike or learning to walk and balance? Teaches maths and science? That's the same guff that is attached to these sorts of products time and again to appease parents conscience for turning their kids in to static puddings so the adult can do other things without being disturbed by their peaky kid. A criminal waste of good plastic that could be Lego bricks instead.

 

Well you could say there might be safety issues of inner city areas with very little suitable outside space or that many parents might not have the chance to walk their kids out on a balance bike as often as they would like to... but its just a bit of fun and there is no reason children cant have both things.

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PaulBox | 7 years ago
0 likes

If there's no monthly subscription I might get this for myself...

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fennesz | 7 years ago
3 likes

The Spongebob one looks better than Zwift.

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The_Vermonter | 7 years ago
8 likes

No cartoons until you've completed your Trainer Road workout!

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