Data scooping technology common to modern cars is finding its way into smaller and more agile mobility options, creating new opportunities in the space.
As well as artificial intelligence it helps to drive traffic management systems, public transport operations and the user interface between people and their vehicles, these technological advances are paying attention to companies that make e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices.
Mobility has become a digital experience, said Alex Gmelin, an engineer who is the product manager at Comodule, which makes the technology that allows micromobility to be connected.
“It has become more and more visible that it is also a digital experience, and riders expect that. They expect a way to interact with the product, being able to customize it to their needs,” he said.
“It’s not a question of if it will be connected, but only when,” he added.
Part of what’s driving this movement is the proliferation and adoption of e-bikes. Its power supply allows it to function as a mobile computer, scooping data and sending it to the cloud for computing, not unlike a modern car. Bicycle owners are always concerned about security and theft prevention, which is why GPS tracking is quickly becoming a regular feature.
“Sixty percent of e-bike riders are looking for smart safety features,” said Gmelin, during the Micromobility World and Riders Choice Awards virtual summit in January. 25.
Expect to see more bikes connected to user apps — not unlike the user apps common to cars — industry observers say. Software in micromobility can be updated and modernized more easily than software in cars, said Horace Dediu, co-founder of Micromobility Industries, and partner and market strategist at Relay Ventures.
“It’s the biggest thing that’s happened in the last few years. It’s a giant leap in the pace of change,” Dediu said.
“We, who are these advocates of micromobility, should be the people who move forward with these ideas. Because we are going to jump the automobile infrastructure, if you will. And I think we can do that,” he added.
