Garmin's Edge 1060 Brings Voice Control to the Handlebars
Garmin has put a microphone and a speaker into its newest premium cycling computer, letting riders ask for ride data, directions and messages without moving their hands off the bars. The Edge 1060, announced by Garmin Singapore, responds to the wake phrase Okay, Garmin, and answers out loud through the integrated speaker.
The pitch is safety as much as convenience. Riders can ask for their heart rate, request a route to the nearest coffee shop or report a pothole hands free, and the device changes its screen or reads out the answer in response. Voice control works in selected languages and Garmin notes that performance varies with riding conditions.
But the more useful addition may be the messaging layer. With the Garmin Messenger app on a paired phone, cyclists can send voice messages from the device and hear incoming ones played aloud, alongside navigation and workout prompts. The speaker also doubles as a digital bike bell, so riders ahead can hear a cyclist approaching.
Navigation gets a set of upgrades aimed at riders who plan less and improvise more, and the physical buttons matter for anyone riding with gloves or through weather that defeats a touchscreen. Route Options shows alternatives scored by ride time, elevation and bike type, Route Previews summarise distance, estimated time, traffic and reported hazards before the ride begins, and Up Ahead highlights coffee shops, restrooms or fuel along the route.
Road closure alerts join the existing hazard reporting, with closures flagged by other Garmin riders and hands free reporting of potholes, obstructions and aggressive animals, all passed to riders approaching the same stretch of road. A Free Flow Routing mode picks the line with the fewest stops and intersections for riders chasing an uninterrupted effort.
And training and group riding get their share of attention. Real time stamina, power guidance, cycling ability and course demands come from Garmin's Human Performance Lab, a free Garmin Cycling Coach plan adapts to performance and recovery, and workouts sync from TrainingPeaks.
GroupRide detection now lets a rider join a nearby session automatically when the device spots one, opening in ride messaging, live locations, incident alerts and competitions. The workout screen has become interactive so riders can zoom the full session, the home screen is configurable, and reverse charging can top up a Varia light or a phone in an emergency.
Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours in the most demanding use, rising to 60 hours in battery saver mode. Garmin says the Edge 1060 goes on sale in Singapore from the second week of next month at a suggested retail price of SGD 1,119, with stock at Garmin brand stores, Lazada, Shopee, the Garmin online store, Takashimaya and selected authorised retailers.
And Mr Scoppen Lin, assistant general manager at Garmin Asia, said the device is designed to keep cyclists focused and in control from the first mile to the finish, and that voice control lets riders reach the information they need while keeping their grip on the bars.
Garmin Edge 1060 adds voice control through a built in microphone and speaker
Riders can request stats, routes and hazards with the phrase Okay, Garmin
Garmin Messenger voice messages play through the device speaker, which also works as a digital bell
Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours, or 60 hours in battery saver mode
It goes on sale in Singapore from the second week of next month at SGD 1,119
