Using AI, this smart e-scooter can self diagnose its problems
The trend of electric scooters tackling the problem of pollution and enabling last-mile connectivity is growing in India as well as abroad. But, the thing is, most e-scooters suffer from the problem of breakage, where they take days to be repaired and come back online. Now, to solve this problem, a company is offering e-scooters that use AI to flag potential issues. Here's more.
Superpedestrian and its smart e-scooters
After nearly five years of work, Superpedestrian, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based start-up, has developed smart electric scooters that can take care of themselves. Essentially, the vehicles use a Vehicle Intelligence Platform, which is an AI engine that has been trained to detect failures and predict when something could go wrong in the scooter. Then, on the basis of this prediction, it automatically calls for help.
Sensors collect data to help the AI measure failures' possibility
The AI system bundled with Superpedestrian scooters predicts the possibility of potential failure by using data collected by sensors that continuously monitor and report the behavior of batteries, motor, brakes, or wheels. So, if it detects excessive heating or some other issue, the scooter will automatically disconnect and flag the problem for a check-up, which will then be conducted by a technical expert.
Then, technician will quickly bring the broken scooter back online
Once the technician visits the scooter, they will look into the problem and see if replacing the battery is enough to repair the vehicle or it needs to be taken to the shop. At present, broken e-scooters typically take over two weeks to come back online. But, this particular system, combined with proper on-site support, could make scooters available within just a few hours.
Several companies already interested in Superpedestrian's technology
Instead of selling its smart e-scooters to individual customers, Superpedestrian will deal with companies engaged in the e-scooter rental business; in fact, it has already made a few deals. Notably, the scooters' ability to flag potential problems could play a major role in reducing, or even eliminating, most maintenance issues that scooter operators face while managing a humongous fleet of vehicles.
Their system also lasts longer than usual e-scooters
It's also worth noting that Superpedestrian's scooter system has been designed to last longer than regular e-scooters by handling over 2,500 rides. Plus, they could also give you about 60 miles (97 km) of coverage on a single charge.
