Though micromobility and the shared electric scooter business are undergoing a Renaissance of sorts. Though challenges still exist surrounding electric scooter safety regulations, starting businesses and working alongside urban environments to serve individual communities as efficiently as possible, tremendous potential exists for explosive growth.
To get the industry over the proverbial hump, however, one more critical element is needed – Internet of Things technology integration. Let’s dive into how IoT will serve micromobility, as well as why Segway’s third generation IoT represents the future of this powerful technology.
The Use of IoT in Micromobility and Shared E-Scooters
The chief challenge surrounding growing e-scooter use is a rather simple one – safety. IoT functionality can give operators and governments information that can provide fuller pictures of how e-scooters are being used (and potentially misused).
With powerful IoT functionality on board, operators can help riders find vehicles, enforce geofencing zones that ensure scooters aren’t ridden in dangerous areas or where they aren’t allowed, and collect robust data that helps improve efficiency and tailor shared e-scooter businesses to the specific communities and markets they serve.
These benefits will be key to the future of micromobility and its lasting success. However, obstacles persist between IoT implementation and the kinds of beneficial outcomes the technology promised micromobility operations.
Current Challenges with IoT in Micromobility
Overall, IoT devices and integration present complex networking challenges, with these five specific challenges outlining struggles the technology has had in the micromobility space:
- Inaccurate positioning, which leads to increased time spent finding vehicles and elevated operational and maintenance costs for operators.
- Server geofence delays, which can lead to discrepancies of dozens or hundreds of meters between displayed and accurate e-scooter position.
- Lack of audio interaction, which inhibits audio content capabilities and results in single-language audio constraints.
- Slow Bluetooth transfer, which leads to equally poor efficiency.
- Easy theft and subsequent economic loss, as external IoT devices make simple targets.
Segway’s Legacy of IoT Innovation and Third Generation IoT
Segway has a long history of meeting challenges like this head on, and that experience extends to the IoT space.
To this point, Segway has innovated powerful external IoT solutions that include alarms for low battery, impact, geofencing and more, as well as integrated sensors and modules and multiple communication modes in an IPX7-rated shell. Segway has also pioneered built-in IoT that combines all of those features with attractive, minimalist industrial design to lead the industry.
Now, Segway is proud to introduce its third generation IoT, which builds upon this legacy of driving the industry forward – and answers the challenges outlined above that plague current IoT solutions for shared e-scooters.
This third generation IoT includes:
- Highly precise positioning, which leverages dual-band GNSS, ADR and multi-constellation technology to greatly improve connectivity and positioning, even in urban canyons, underground passages and tunnels.
- Onboard geofencing, which removes the need for information to go back and forth between the scooter and a server and provides much more robust geofencing enforcement thanks to the large storage capability and advanced edge computing capability.
- High-quality, multi-language audio, including dynamic volume range, large-capacity audio storage, audio OTA and high-quality speakers for a premium experience.
- Flexible interface design and reserved interfaces for additional peripheral sensors, supporting function extension and empowering operators to customize sensors for different uses according to business, market and regulatory needs, like accessing microphone sensors, PM2.5 monitoring sensors, humidity monitoring sensors.
- Optional Wi-Fi auxiliary positioning to improve outdoor, sheltered space and semi-sheltered space accuracy, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 to further boost speed and maintenance efficiency.
- New anti-theft design, IPX7 waterproofing, a small footprint and luminous stickers for night visibility and enhanced safety without an elevated environmental impact.
- Longer standby time, with an additional 1000mah backup batter and up to 100 working hours, as well as a lower power consumption mode to reduce power loss from continuous IoT operation.
Contact Segway Commercial Today
Segway Commercial is changing the face of IoT in shared e-scooters and micromobility, and we’d love to tell you more about this powerful innovation.
Contact us today at Segway Gen-3 IoT for more information.
