I just lately had the possibility to attend Micromobility Europe 2024, the newest trade tradeshow selling the proliferation of right-sized private electrical autos. For 2 days, the present took to Amsterdam to showcase most of the latest improvements and firms pushing the envelope on what micromobility autos can supply to city residents.
Here’s a smattering of most of the most attention-grabbing issues I noticed (and check rode) whereas exploring the present.
I’m going to run by means of these in no explicit order, apart from how they ended up being downloaded on my laborious drive.
And to see much more, be sure you take a look at my video from the occasion, under. Then maintain studying for all the particulars!
Voltaire
This French electrical bicycle firm was new to me, however I immediately fell in love with their slick designs that invoke a classier, classic vibe than we’re used to seeing in at the moment’s ultramodern e-bike market.
With belt drives for simplicity and seat tube batteries to keep away from a chunkier downtube, the bikes appear to be they’d make nice commuter rides for anybody on the hunt for a extra traditional vibe.
Veloretti
The present’s European setting was an important likelihood to get launched to e-bike firms that I don’t usually get to go to. Veloretti is predicated in Amsterdam, not removed from the present’s venue, and so I acquired to see their extra trendy tackle Dutch e-bikes firsthand.
I all the time love seeing a pleasant mixture of outdated and new, so Veloretti’s Dutch-inspired designs have been a refreshing sight. They appear to supply the sort of rider commuters are after, whereas nonetheless drawing on many years of the Netherlands’ wealthy historical past of biking tradition.
Cowboy Cross
Belgian e-bike firm Cowboy had their latest mannequin on the present, which means I acquired to take the Cowboy Cross for a check journey by means of the encircling Amsterdam neighborhoods.
With an inverted suspension fork, a suspension seat submit, and barely chunkier tires, the Cowboy Cross is unquestionably designed to deal with rougher roads than a typical commuter bike.
This gained’t take you offroading, however it’ll make these cobblestones and pot holes lots much less noticeable!
Bo
I all the time love seeing Bo’s electrical scooters, as there’s simply nothing else prefer it in the marketplace. The scooter doesn’t fold, which is a rarity within the standing electrical scooter world. However meaning it’s rather more inflexible.
The scooter has a design all its personal, and that appeared to win favor with the judges as Bo took the prize on this years Startup Awards on the present.
Now if I might simply cease listening to the tune “I’m Bo, yo!” in my head each time I write the scooter’s identify, that’d be grreeeaaat.
Luna Methods
Out of left area was Luna Methods, which makes use of laptop imaginative and prescient to make micromobility autos safer.
Thus far, they’ve principally labored with industrial shoppers like scooter-sharing and bike-sharing firms, the place their digital camera programs have helped enhance the protection of these autos and maintain riders accountable by monitoring issues like sidewalk using.
However additionally they simply unveiled their first consumer-facing product, the Luna Oculus, which is a digital camera system for cyclists that may warn you of upcoming close-passing automobiles which may threat your security. In case you opt-in, you may also share that knowledge so different cyclists in your metropolis can use the compounded knowledge to be taught which roads are essentially the most harmful for cyclists.
Luna is a startup that’s funded by EIT City Mobility, an EU accelerator that appears for a lot of these progressive firms, in addition to the following firm on this record.
AD Knight
Persevering with with the theme of utilizing cameras and sensors to higher defend susceptible highway customers, AD Knight has a collection of software program options that cities can use to know and adapt to their rising micromobility ridership.
The corporate is presently beginning a pilot with Peachtree Metropolis, Georgia, the place intersections will be capable of monitor and analyze the quantity and sort of micromobility customers on the highway. Sooner or later, these intersections might doubtlessly use AD Knight’s know-how to adapt in actual time, corresponding to stretching a yellow gentle a couple of seconds longer to permit a slower-moving scooter rider to slide by means of earlier than the sign modifications for cross site visitors.
Superfast Scooter
This one is a bit wild. These 40 mph (64 km/h) electrical scooters are designed to supply motorcycle-like dealing with but are supposed to fold up so compact that they will slot in a golf bag for touring.
They even use powertool batteries which might be individually sufficiently small to satisfy airline necessities for flights, but add as much as sufficient capability and energy for a quick electrical scooter like this.
The design in nonetheless present process modifications however the prototype confirmed what the corporate thinks is feasible.
FLIT
This British folding e-bike makes me assume that that is what Brompton ought to have constructed, as an alternative of constructing one thing that appears like an e-bike conversion equipment stuffed right into a Brompton.
FLIT’s electrical bike was purpose-built as an e-bike, which means the electronics are built-in. Nevertheless, it nonetheless folds up almost as small as a Brompton, which means it’s completely tiny.
You undoubtedly want to observe it in motion in my video on the high of this text.
Ebike OS
Whereas we’re speaking about Bromptons, I also needs to point out EbikeLabs, which confirmed off its management software program in an electrical Brompton on the present.
EbikeLabs doesn’t make any bodily {hardware}, however as an alternative presents spectacular management software program that can provide e-bikes new options like hill maintain and progressive regenerative breaking, amongst a number of different patents the corporate holds.
I examined out that regenerative braking, which is activated by pedaling backward like a coaster brake. It labored very well, which is saying one thing, contemplating a Brompton’s 16-inch wheel is the worst case state of affairs for highly effective regenerative braking. Think about that being utilized to a bigger commuter wheel, and the influence can be spectacular.
Hydroride Europe AG
Ever tried a hydrogen-powered bicycle? Neither had I, a minimum of not till I hopped on considered one of Hydroride Europe AG’s fashions on the present.
These hydrogen-powered bicycles have an on-board gas cell that converts hydrogen from a small tank into electrical energy to energy the rear hub motor.
To be trustworthy, the journey didn’t really feel that a lot totally different from most electrical bicycles I’ve examined, which is form of the purpose. The gas could also be totally different, however the journey is simply nearly as good.
Now whether or not or not hydrogen is a viable gas for bicycles (or another car) is one other query, and I’m unsure I see it taking off for customers. However Hydroride is focusing on industrial clients like bike-sharing firms who wish to keep away from depots filled with charging batteries, so maybe they’ll discover some success on that entrance. For the remainder of us, I don’t assume we’ll be working hydrogen mills in our residing rooms anytime quickly.
Micromobility American present is coming quickly!
It was nice to see all of those firms and extra at Micromobility Europe, and now it has me much more excited for what’s to come back at Micromobility America this 12 months.
The present will transfer to a brand new location this November, from San Francisco to Los Angeles this 12 months, so be sure you stick round to listen to what we discover on the present this 12 months. In case you’re near LA, you’ll be able to nonetheless get early fowl tickets, too.
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