Tempo addresses three core challenges cyclists face today. For every hour spent riding, cyclists often spend an additional 30 to 60 minutes planning routes, preparing, and maintaining gear, creating friction that limits how often they can get out on the bike. They also rely on five to eight different devices to complete a single workflow, and managing charging, connectivity, and data accuracy introduces unnecessary complexity both before and during rides.

At the same time, cyclists are driven by a love of the outdoors and a desire to improve, yet the most controlled training environments exist indoors where variables like terrain and wind are removed. While effective, these workouts are often monotonous and limit opportunities to develop real world technical skills.

After defining the problem space and conducting secondary research, the IxD team analyzed existing solutions alongside the technical limitations of current AR systems. Two key insights emerged that shaped an approach.

Voice-only interaction models break down under physical strain. As a cyclist’s heart rate rises above 130 bpm, speaking commands becomes exhausting and inefficient, especially when trying to conserve breath during high-intensity efforts.

Secondly, the interface needed to be instantly readable, minimally intrusive, and only appear when necessary, allowing cyclists to stay focused on the terrain ahead without distraction.

Eli and I worked closely with the IxD team to ensure the features and visual language of the glasses aligned with the interaction design and interface system. The product was grounded in a vision of technical feasibility within the next ten years, informed by the current state of the industry.

We began by examining both classic cycling glasses and current smart/AR glasses to see what we liked and what features/form factors might be feasible in ten years. We prepared a high volume of sketches to explore form language, as well as laser-cut paper and cardstock iteration to dial in proportions.

Tempo brings together the core tools performance cyclists rely on into one seamless experience, combining the excitement of racing, the power of performance tracking, and route planning in a single system. By reducing friction, it allows cyclists to focus on what they love most, riding and enjoying the outdoors.

Tempo was built around a non-intrusive interface, present when needed and otherwise out of sight. This thinking drove key design decisions, such as anchoring performance metrics to the handlebars so information feels contextual without disrupting focus.

Beyond the ride, Tempo supports ongoing bike maintenance by helping cyclists understand when to repair or replace components and guiding them through the process themselves. Many cyclists shared that maintenance is time-consuming and often intimidating, especially with the fear of damaging their bike. Tempo aims to reduce that friction and build confidence off the bike as well.

While Tempo was designed for cycling, the core principles extend to other metrics-driven sports such as running and rowing. The system focuses on real-time performance feedback, low-friction interaction, and non-intrusive information delivery, which are equally relevant across endurance activities.