The popularity of micromobility throughout the globe continues to grow, and with this growth, cities continue to struggle with creating viable parking solutions. The complex ecosystem of micromobility schemes within the city landscape requires companies to utilize the latest technologies and find solutions for evolving regulatory requirements and consumer needs.
In response to these demands, Segway has invented its latest technological revolution to transform parking within the micromobility industry. First, it’s important to understand the ‘why’ behind the innovation.
The Micromobility Parking Dilemma
With cities increasing their micromobility regulations, it’s imperative for operators to find ways to address these updates. While no standard exists across the country, cities have created common themes for parking, according to the University of Oregon’s study of 37 city policies. The findings determined majority of cities deemed the following as acceptable parking spots:
- Furniture zones
- Bike rack areas
- Against buildings
- On landscaping
- Next to signs
Currently, the most widely used parking system is the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), which relies on satellite technology. While this parking technology has many benefits, streets surrounded by tall buildings or parks with tall trees can compromise the satellite’s signal.
Clearly, the necessity of parking accuracy is increasing, and Segway has created yet another parking system option to help solve this dilemma.
Segway’s Bluetooth Beacon Re-envisions Parking for City Landscapes
Segway’s latest innovation — the Bluetooth Parking Beacon — transforms micromobility parking solutions by pairing Bluetooth capabilities with the vehicle’s Ninebot GEN3 IoT technology. Because of this tech duo, the Beacon increases parking accuracy of each vehicle in poor satellite signal operation places, like, streets and parks that are surrounded by tall buildings, and carports, which, to operators, citizens and government officials’ delight, helps decrease disorderly parking and road ‘litter.’
The technology works in a matter of seconds enabling ease of deployment for operators and use for riders:
- User parks vehicle in designated area.
- Beacons interact with the vehicle’s IoT to generate Bluetooth low energy (BLE).
- IoT’s chip determines the BLE strength.
- Judges the distance between the vehicle and the Beacon.
- Forms an invisible “fence” of the parking area.
- Recognizes whether the vehicle is reasonably parked in the designated area.
- Realizes the unmanned management of the orderly parking.
- User locks vehicle and the vehicle location is displayed so others can find its location in the operator’s app.
Thanks to its innovative design and integrative technology, the Beacon increases the parking accuracy of each vehicle in poor satellite signal areas, thus meeting the new regulatory standards that require operators to share equipment and space .
Bluetooth Beacon’s Benefits Support Rapid Adoption and Deployment
Not only does Segway’s new technology satisfy city regulation requirements, it also supports business operations and profitability, and increases rider satisfaction.
With many cities seeing an influx of new residents, local governments have realized that micromobile vehicles are one way to help combat traffic congestion and increase accessibility. However, without meeting the specific regulation requirements, the vehicles’ benefits are rendered useless. By increasing compliance in cities through adopting the new Beacon technology, micromobility can expand operations into locations with more strict parking guidelines, thus increasing ROI.
Additionally, because of the Beacon’s features, it allows for quick implementation. For instance, with the BLE technology covering larger spaces, riders will have more parking flexibility while supporting higher location accuracy. The Beacon’s size (4.72 in. by 4.33 in. by 1.10 in.) and maintenance-free features also makes installation and relocation a breeze. In fact, only two screws are required to secure it to the ground, its battery lasts for three years, and it’s both IPX7 waterproof and V0 fireproof.
While users may not understand the significance of these features, they will certainly appreciate how it enables companies to continue meeting their needs. “Research shows that users appreciate the flexibility of the dockless or demarcated models that allows known drop-off and pick-up spaces as well as the reliable supply of vehicles within close distances. This mode is relatively inexpensive and quick to install or expand as well as easily understood by the general public,” (Intelligent Transport).
The Beacon Supports Operational Efficiency
Because the Beacon utilizes cloud-based IoT technology, companies will benefit from tracking fleets in real time through easily accessible data, allowing companies to identify where users are most active and adapt business strategies to optimize profitability. Additionally, the small size of the Beacon provides superior flexibility, making it easy to relocate to more strategic areas for users. Companies no longer need to worry about wrongly investing in a permanent structure that proves unprofitable.
By increasing the ease of use and adhering to parking requirements, companies and cities alike will undoubtedly benefit from users parking properly, effectively reducing the number of public obstructions in spaces. Clearly, Segway’s Bluetooth Parking Beacon is the future of micromobility parking solutions.
To learn how Segway’s Beacon can transform your current micromobility parking solutions to meet future needs, contact commercial_business@ninebot.com.
