Skoda started as a bike manufacturer in 1896 and later expanded into vehicles and trucks. Over a century later, the company is revisiting an early item of riding gear. Standard bike bells are just not loud enough to catch the attention of anyone using noise-canceling headphones, which is a big problem in this situation.
The DuoBell is meant to look and fit on handlebars in the same way that any other bell would. Riders squeeze the lever and hear the familiar ‘ding’ that most bells produce. What sets it apart, however, is what is going on within. Engineers created a system that combines two independent components to produce sound, both housed in the same tiny enclosure. One bit works in the low frequency band, producing a very thin slice of sound between 750 and 780 hertz. Most noise-cancelling headphones struggle with such low frequencies, thus the DuoBell’s sound is particularly noticeable.
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The second bit hits higher notes and works in an erratic, jerky manner, unlike most bells. This makes it difficult for the noise-cancelling circuits to keep up and eliminate the sound before it reaches your ears. Everything about the DuoBell remains mechanical, so it does not require batteries or updates. This makes the design basic and the size similar to a standard bell.
Researchers from the University of Salford collaborated with Skoda to see if the DuoBell was any good. They conducted numerous controlled studies using headphones from well-known manufacturers such as Bose, Sony, and Apple. Every time they ran a test, the DuoBell came out on top; it could be heard by anyone wearing headphones, whereas the standard bell was utterly lost. They took it a step further and used virtual reality to place them on ‘busy’ streets while wearing headphones. They heard the warning 22 meters earlier with the DuoBell than with a regular bell, giving them approximately five seconds more to respond and move out of the way.
Skoda then put it to the test in London, where some delivery riders used the bell in normal scenarios. They said it worked great, even in incredibly congested traffic. The DuoBell is very clear and simple to hear, especially in noisy environments. Skoda decided to share all test findings with researchers and no one else. They did not patent the DuoBell or sell it as a standalone product, preferring to collaborate with individuals to get it on more bikes throughout the city.
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