Discover Skoda's DuoBell, a bike bell designed to be heard through active noise-cancelling headphones, enhancing pedestrian safety with innovative sound tech.
Skoda's DuoBell Cuts Through Noise-Cancelling Headphones to Improve Pedestrian Safety
Czech automaker Skoda has invented a new bike bell, DuoBell, that ensures pedestrians wearing active noise cancellation headphones can still hear it clearly. This breakthrough tech is engineered to bypass the sound-filtering mechanisms in modern headphones.
The Technology Behind DuoBell
DuoBell uses a specific narrow frequency range between 750 Hz and 780 Hz that consistently penetrates active noise cancellation filters. The bell incorporates a second resonator tuned to a higher pitch and a unique striking mechanism that produces rapid, irregular tones.
The combination of these sounds creates acoustic waves that evade the headphones’ filtering, allowing pedestrians to notice the bell up to five seconds earlier—or from as far as 72 feet (22 meters) away.
Tested over two weeks with Deliveroo riders in the UK, DuoBell’s real-world performance was documented in an open-source white paper. Skoda is promoting the innovation through an influencer campaign featuring Professor Hannah Fry and delivery driver London Hustle, which runs throughout the month.
While widespread adoption timelines remain uncertain, Skoda hopes the automotive industry will recognize the technology’s benefits and consider integrating it into vehicles for improved safety.
Demonstrating a commitment to open innovation, Skoda has made its research publicly available. The company’s aim isn’t profit but fostering safer streets by making DuoBell’s design accessible for anyone to use.
Learn more about Skoda's innovations at skoda-fabia.com