The latest from Eurobike — online training platform Zwift unveiled steering functionality under the new FutureWorks brand, and opened the roads on its latest course, Yorkshire, based on the UCI Road World Championships finishing circuit in Harrogate. Available on Zwift in the coming weeks, steering is the first innovation to roll out under the FutureWorks label.
Moving forward, FutureWorks will be used to introduce new innovations from the Zwift brand which it will pitch to the Zwift community for research and development. Feedback taken from the community on these new products will ultimately shape the final variation. Basically, anyone on Zwift gets to be a beta tester for cool new features.
“The teams here at Zwift have so many innovative ideas, but Zwifters have historically only been able to try those that have gone through a lengthy development process.” Comments Eric Min, Zwift CEO and Co-Founder. “FutureWorks will allow us to deliver more of these ideas at a concept phase – allowing Zwifters to give us their direct feedback on what they want to see more of. This is a means of giving the community more of a voice on what they wish to see added in the game.”
Zwift’s new steering test segment can be found in Titan’s Grove on Watopia, the island’s latest course expansion. When riding through Titan’s Grove, you will receive a prompt on screen as you approach the steering segment, asking whether you would like to test steering. Once the steering option is selected, you will then be transported to the start of the new trail.
Upon start of the trail, you are given direction on how to enable steering. Steering is controlled using Zwift’s companion app, available on iOS and Android. Simply mount the
phone to your handlebars using a phone mount such as a Quad Lock. The Companion App is then able to use the accelerometers in the phone to sense movement as the bars are turned left and right – controlling your avatar on screen.
In total, the new steering route is around 2 miles in length. The segment is timed for a little extra competition and you will be scored based on how well you take the corners. Complete the course in under 12:30 with a 100% score, and you will unlock the Zwift Mountain Bike and Zwift Mountain Wheels.
In the coming months Zwift is expected to integrate steering functionality into the newly launched Wahoo, Tacx, Stages and Wattbike smart bikes, also on show this week at Eurobike, which were developed to future proof the Zwift experience.