Aventon has officially announced its latest electric bicycle, the Pace 4, adding advanced smart bike technology and enhanced rider comfort to its popular line of urban-friendly e-bikes. The Pace 4 builds upon Aventon’s successful formula of accessibility and ease of use, now augmented with new connectivity and security features that make it harder to steal and easier to get back.

At the heart of the Pace 4 is Aventon’s latest innovation: the Aventon Control Unit (ACU). The ACU significantly upgrades the bike’s intelligence and security capabilities, bringing GPS tracking, geofencing, and remote locking to the Pace 4.

With the addition of the ACU, riders gain the ability to monitor their bike’s location in real-time, set virtual boundaries that trigger alerts if the bike leaves a specified area, and remotely lock the rear wheel, helping to improve security and peace of mind. A startup passcode can also be enabled to further improve theft deterrence, ensuring the bike can only be activated by authorized users.

The remote locking and passcode can help deter some theft, but the GPS tracking makes it easier to get the bike back if it ever does find itself in the wrong hands. The GPS feature and the 4G data communication both require a 4G data subscription, which is provided complimentary for one year at the time of purchase.

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Of course, there’s no such thing as a theft-proof bicycle, but these types of smart features help riders get closer to that goal. Plus, as bike thieves become more aware of which e-bikes include built-in GPS or other theft deterrence features, hopefully those models will become less attractive targets.

The Pace 4 doesn’t only upgrade its intelligence. Its performance and comfort have also received their own improvements.

Powered by a 500W rear hub motor rated for a peak output of 864 watts and 60 Nm of torque, the Pace 4 provides decent power for smooth urban commuting and enjoyable leisure rides. According to Aventon, riders can expect consistent and reliable performance across various terrains and riding conditions.

It may not match the 750W continuous-rated motors we often see in the North American market, which usually output peak power in the low four figures of watts, but it should still provide good power and climbing performance on moderate hills.

The Pace 4 features a 36V 20Ah battery, which Aventon states can deliver a range of up to 70 miles (112 km) when ridden in ECO mode. Of course, few people actually ride solely in the lowest power mode, and so the real-world range is likely to be somewhat lower – especially for riders who make ample use of the throttle. But with just over 720 Wh of battery capacity, the Pace 4 is likely still ideal for extended city commutes, recreational rides, and weekend exploring. And with the included torque sensor, the pedal assist is more responsive, giving riders more reason to let go of the throttle and enjoy the pedal assist performance.

The 27.5×2.1″ urban tires will be most at home on pavement but can likely still handle fairly smooth trails. Whether for daily commuting or leisurely outings, the bike seems outfitted for a variety of use cases.

The Pace 4 lacks traditional suspension but the bike does include a suspension seat post offering 2 inches (50mm) of travel. This feature absorbs shocks and vibrations from rough roads, preventing them from traveling up through the saddle and into the rider’s rear, enhancing the riding experience. Complementing this is an ergonomic handlebar design aimed at promoting a relaxed, upright riding posture, reducing rider fatigue on longer trips and increasing overall comfort.

Neither of these can replace true front or rear suspension, but they go a decent way toward adding more comfort to the ride.

Aventon has also emphasized accessibility with the Pace 4. It features a step-through frame design that makes getting on and off the bike much easier than swinging a leg over the rear, helping the bike cater to riders of all ages and abilities. Available in two frame sizes and three colors of Flint, Mica, and Blue Steel (grey, black, and light blue), the Pace 4 also offers a bit of variation to help riders dial in the size and style closer to their tastes.

Priced at $1,799, the Pace 4 is entering the market at a time when new tariffs are hammering e-bike prices. The model is now available for purchase through Aventon’s official website and Aveneton’s wide network of authorized dealers.

Electrek’s Take

The new Aventon Pace 4 sticks with the company’s recent drive to push the boundaries of e-bike technology, combining smart connectivity, enhanced security features, modest performance, and some nods toward comfort. I’d imagine the bike would appeal to a broad range of riders if it wasn’t for the price, which feels fairly high to me. Plus, the base model doesn’t include a rack, fenders, or other commuter staples that will only elevate the price further. That being said, the Pace 4 launches at a time when e-bike prices are expected to arrive across the board, either slightly for models built in various Asian countries or significantly for models built in China.

But ignoring the price (as hard as that may be), I do like what I see here. It’s hard to compare to Class 3 e-bikes with more powerful 48V systems, but this isn’t designed to compete with those models. It’s a more modest, easier-going model. But for its intended audience, it comes with some nice features that we don’t often see elsewhere.

I really hope features like built-in tracking become more common across the board, as they’re hugely valuable for riders.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, commercial companies, and academic institutions together are developing the first space-based quantum sensors for gravitational measurement. Two groups of very cold rubidium atoms will be used as weights for the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) instrument, ensuring accurate measurements over long periods. Measuring gravity with a volume of 0.3 cubic yards (0.25 cubic meters) and weighing just over 275 pounds (125 kg), the instrument will be smaller and lighter than conventional space-based gravity instruments.

Quantum sensors offer enormous promise for sensitivity; estimates suggest they could be as much as ten times more sensitive in tracking gravity than conventional sensors. Approved to begin at the end of the decade, the technology validation project aims to test novel atomic-scale atomic manipulation of interactions between light and matter. To progress the sensor head technology and the laser optical system, NASA is working with small companies. The QGGPf instrument could lead to planetary science and fundamental physics applications.

NASA’s Quantum Gravity Sensor to Reveal Earth’s Subsurface

According to a NASA post, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, private companies, and academic institutions are developing the first space-based quantum sensor for measuring gravity. This mission, supported by NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), will pave the way for groundbreaking observations of everything from petroleum reserves to global supplies of fresh water. Its gravitational field is dynamic and changing every day as geologic processes distribute mass throughout its surface. Sensitive instruments called gravity gradiometers can map the subtleties of Earth’s gravitational field and link them to belowground structures such as mineral deposits and aquifers.

The Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) instrument will use two clouds of ultracold rubidium atoms as test masses. The difference in acceleration between these matter waves will measure the difference in acceleration between these matter waves to locate gravitational anomalies. This system allows for space-based gravity measurements to remain accurate over long periods and is smaller and lighter than traditional space-based gravity instruments.

NASA Tests Atomic-Scale Tech to Advance Space Sensors and Earth Science

The main purpose of this technology validation mission is to test a collection of novel technologies for manipulating interactions between light and matter at the atomic scale. With JPL partnering with AOSense and Infleqtion to enhance sensor head technology and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center working with Vector Atomic to advance the laser optical system, the project involves notable partnerships between NASA and a few quantum-focused entrepreneurs.

Ultimately, the findings of this Pathfinder project might increase our capacity to explore Earth, understand far-off worlds, and value the role gravity plays in creating the universe.