Brose and Comodule: Integrated solution facilitates e-bike sharing

The automotive supplier and manufacturer of e-bike drives Brose and the connectivity specialist Comodule have introduced a modular plug-and-play solution for e-bike sharing. The so-called Brose Connected Drive combines the Brose Drive C motor with a connectivity module and was specifically developed for the needs of fleet operators. Maintenance, service, and organization are intended to be carried out decentrally and automatically via remote access. By combining drive technology and an open cloud platform, they aim to offer a simple and customizable solution for the future market of micromobility, as stated.

In the past, sharing providers often used connectivity solutions that were complex to develop and maintain. The new system aims to reduce the effort with coordinated components that can be conveniently installed via plug-and-play. It is targeted at operators of e-bike fleets such as sharing providers, large companies, or municipal utilities that want to offer their customers urban electromobility at low cost.

Connected Bicycle: Digital Interface with Cellular Technology

The connection to the e-bikes is provided by a connectivity module from Comodule in the bicycle frame, which is connected to the drive and features a standardized digital programming interface (API). The e-bikes are supposed to integrate quickly and individually into established fleet management systems, according to the providers.

"The reliable, location-independent real-time connection to the e-bikes is crucial for professional fleet management. Therefore, the bikes are equipped with their own SIM card for mobile internet," advocates Sven Bernhardt, Sales Manager from Brose's development partner Comodule.

Through an online platform, the fleet operator has real-time data on the status of the bikes available from anywhere – for example, position, charge level, charging cycles, or error codes. Firmware updates can be carried out remotely. A geofencing function ensures that a rental process is only possible within a predefined area, or, for example, the speed in the city center can be individually limited. Additionally, the fleet operator can make further adjustments to the motor control – such as response behavior or support level – and flexibly react to local requirements.

Efficient E-Drive as Core Element

The centerpiece is the Brose Drive C motor in either aluminum or magnesium variants. Due to its low power consumption and the typically harmonious riding experience, the motor is expected to meet high demands.

"The technology has already proven itself in several hundred thousand e-bikes and is thus optimally suited for the increased demands in the rental business," emphasizes Horst Schuster, Head of Marketing and Sales at Brose Drive Technology.

The automotive supplier's e-bike drives are being developed and produced by 120 employees at the e-bike competence center in Berlin. They are used in models from 50 manufacturers worldwide, in combination with self-developed displays and batteries. Since 2014, the connectivity specialist Comodule has been developing networked solutions for eco-friendly, electric mobility concepts. The company connects more than 300,000 electric small vehicles worldwide and supports micromobility introduction in 60 cities globally, claims the manufacturer. The company, headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, has grown from 18 to 72 team members in the past three years.