MAHLE, a leading German-based developer and supplier to the automotive industry, has built three apps it says will make e-bikes smarter.
These tailor-made apps are designed to address the specific needs of all user groups: ‘MySmartBike’ for bikers, ‘SmartBike Lab’ for dealerships and ‘Production’ for e-bike manufacturers.
The MySmartBike app for riders can monitor charging status, record training cycles and routes, and let the rider optimise training programmes by recording, displaying, and analysing various parameters, including gradient, heart rate and measured times. A boost level function from the motor can be regulated based on the biker’s heart rate so if the heart rate exceeds the recommended range, the motor output is increased.
MAHLE says that the app for dealerships optimises their after-sales services with fast and customer-orientated diagnostics.
The Production app, dedicated to e-bike manufacturers, tracks the path of an e-bike from the point when it is shipped to the dealership, all the way through to the initial ride by the end user.
More advanced functions are available with all three apps via the respective web dashboard. Another benefit of the apps is that they can integrate with third-party services such as STRAVA, the social network for tracking athletic services.
“Health data, topography of routes travelled, or trip information can be retrieved and connected,” according to a statement.
Customer and dealerships apps can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store for iOS and Android, whilst the app for manufacturers can be accessed via their sales contact.
The full system provided by the manufacturer includes a customised motor control, a power-adapted battery, and connective components with sensor technology and data interfaces. This bike system can be built into the bike frame so that it is virtually invisible.
Dr. Armin Messerer, vice president of mechatronics at MAHLE, said: “Connectivity is one of the key strengths of our drive concept for e-bikes. The new apps will allow us to make many digital services more customizable and user-friendly and to expand them to meet future needs.”