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- Flywheel: Compute & Connectivity with Jonathan Beri at Golioth | Vehicles from Eli, SixThreeZero, Pedego, Riese & Müller, & Heybike
Flywheel: Compute & Connectivity with Jonathan Beri at Golioth | Vehicles from Eli, SixThreeZero, Pedego, Riese & Müller, & Heybike
Golioth's Jonathan Beri on compute and connectivity & featuring the top 5 vehicles of the week
Puneeth Meruva
May 26, 2024
Hey!
Welcome to Flywheel, a weekly exploration of owned and used micromobility. Each newsletter will highlight an observation of trends emerging in the industry and feature five of the most interesting vehicles/hardware in micromobility.
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The observation of the week is an interview with Golioth founder & CEO Jonathan Beri on compute and connectivity for micromobility. This week’s featured vehicles are a pod car, a rickshaw-style etrike, a longtail cargo bike, and two folding ebikes.
Observation of the Week
Golioth founder & CEO Jonathan Beri on Compute and Connectivity for Micromobility
Gone are the days where all consumers expected of an ebike are a motor and a battery. Due to the innovation from D2C OEMs like VanMoof and Cowboy, intelligent software and connectivity features are fast becoming table stakes for today’s ebikes. This process of digitization is a daunting challenge, and it's one that many OEMs, particularly those with ambitions to provide functionality that goes beyond the basics offered by OTS solutions, struggle with. On this week’s Flywheel, I had the privilege of chatting with Jonathan Beri of IoT infrastructure startup Golioth about what it takes to bring intelligence to micromobility vehicles. Please welcome Jonathan:
“What does compute and connectivity mean for micromobility? What are the needs/feature requirements?”
“I’d start with connectivity! Almost every Micromobility project I’ve been involved with spends a lot of time figuring out connectivity because it’s both critical and complex. We need to know where a vehicle is (i.e. location,) status (ex. Is it charged) and usually some ability to take action (ex. unlock.) By far the most common combination is some form of GPS/GNSS and Cellular. We also see the use of network-assisted location and non-cellular networks like LoRaWAN in specialized deployments. The choice of connectivity will come down to cost, availability and expertise of the team.
Compute almost always happens in the cloud. Micromobility vehicles tend to be cost sensitive, compact and always at the risk of destruction (aka can’t be expensive,) so the vehicles themselves need to have enough compute to make critical motion decisions and just enough to collect sensor readings and send data to the cloud.”
“How do the needs differ between shared and owned micromobility?”
“It comes down to operations. With shared micromobility, the person who is responsible for the vehicle isn’t the one currently operating it. When you hop on your own scooter, you need to make sure the tires are inflated, battery is charged, handlebar turns, etc. And you also are right there to do inspection. With shared fleets, you need to be able to assess a vehicle from HQ as well as recall it to a warehouse on demand. Companies operating shared fleets absolutely need connectivity and fleet software and the software to manage their fleet as well as provide data for the operations teams. Individuals consider connectivity and software a nice-to-have.”
“What are the current off-the-shelf solutions for this space? What is their supply chain?”
“When I walk around shows like Micromobility America, I’ll always ask about their connectivity. Easily ⅓ is leveraging https://www.comodule.com/ under the hood, or a similar Asia-based turnkey vendor. The reason vendors like Comodule exist is because a lot of the connectivity aspects for a connected Micromobilty vehicle is generally similar and can be commoditized into a packaged module. This means companies like Comodule can heavily optimize and cost reduce their offering, making them a very attractive option.
One downside to this approach in general is that the functionality may be limited & quality can vary by COTS vendor. (From all personal accounts, the Comodule product and team are great!)
Also, in some cases you don’t know where the hardware is originating from or where the software is developed, which can be problematic in some markets due to the ever-geopolitical landscape.”
“For companies that want to build their own connectivity solutions, what supply chain and suppliers can they rely on?”
“Good news - you’ll have the most amount of control and flexibility if you build your own. Bad news - you’ll have many more decisions to make 😅! This approach has the major benefit in that you can produce the exact product you want and control your supply chain. And depending what you’re optimizing for and your scale, it can oftentimes be more cost effective to build vs buy, since you’re able to leverage economies of scale to your advantage.
You'll want to anchor your system around a cellular modem. We most often see customers choose Nordic Semiconductor, but there are equally great components from Sony, Sequans and Qualcomm (see modules from U-Blox, Telit & Quectel, to name a few.)
Once you figured out the core connectivity provider, you’ll then need to figure out your cellular network provider and connectivity management. There are many carriers who focus on micromobility but the ones I’ve worked with most recently are 1NCE, Hologram & Onomondo.
Of course, I can strongly recommend Golioth, our company, for the management piece (shameless plug!) Additionally, we can help with figuring out the rest of your supply chain with a vast ecosystem of partners and solution providers.
To be clear, DIY isn’t the easiest path but has the benefits of control and cost at scale - but you shouldn’t have to do it alone!”
“What are the pros/cons of going off-the-shelf vs. building your own solutions?”
“I touched on this in the previous question a bit, but worth summarizing.
Off-the-Shelf
Pros:
- Lower upfront development costs
- Less sourcing and decisions
- Proven, known to work when in the field
Cons:
- Paying for the “solution” with every new unit
- No control or visibility on what’s in the solution
- Varying levels of quality and support (need to choose wisely!)
- When something goes wrong, you can’t fix it yourself
Build your own
Pros:
- Fully control your supply chain
- Build to your specifications, not lowest-common-denominator
- Can cost optimize on hardware, connectivity
- Choose from different software vendors, or bring some software inhouse (more control & potential for cost management)
Cons:
- Higher upfront costs
- More decisions and vendors to source
- Needs more testing and support once in the field”
“How do these solutions integrate with powertrains and other electronics from the likes of Bosch that are often closed ecosystems? Do you need to use the compute and connectivity solutions provided by these suppliers?”
“Finished product or closed ecosystems - it depends on your perspective 😏 In general, when you have ecosystems like Bosch or even Comodule, they may or may not have points of integration. So you’re stuck with whatever access they provide. With something like a Comodule where they’ve designed to be extended, it’s very common to “hook into” the connectivity to develop part of your project. For example, a battery swapping solution. But in cases where it isn’t the intention, I’ve seen some clever “hacks” to try to leverage the compute or connectivity but it’s most often an uphill battle. I’m often surprised to see companies paying for two solutions just because they wanted to use a particular piece of equipment but didn’t have access to the closed ecosystem. FWIW, this problem is not exclusive to Micromobility but IoT more broadly.”
“What is lacking with the current set of compute and connectivity options available to the Micromobility industry? What is the opportunity?”
“Safety and urban coexistence is still a major challenge everywhere. I was in San Diego recently and I saw more strewn scooters than people. While much of that are human problems, smarter sensors, better connectivity which leads to better operations software. That’s not just a commercial opportunity but also will help with the adoption and acceptance of Micromobility.“
“Can you give a brief overview of Golioth?”
“The world of IoT is brimming with potential, but reality often tells a story of complexity, friction, and frustration. The process of developing a reliable IoT system can involve a tangled web of architecture decisions, legacy systems, and infrastructure problems that can bog down even the most capable teams. With over 67% of IoT projects never making it off the ground, there's a clear gap in the market for a solution that can help developers navigate these challenges.
That’s why we built Golioth.
Designed with the challenges of developers and IoT professionals in mind, Golioth is more than an IoT platform – it’s a universal connector for the IoT realm. Whether you're prototyping or scaling to the masses, Golioth offers a unified API that streamlines the connection between hardware and the cloud.
A large part of our customer base is “mobility,” which includes Micromobility but also shipping & logistics, asset tracking and even drones. But we also service other industries from Air Quality to Concrete to Waste Management!”
“What are the typical ways in which Golioth is used by your Micromobility customers? What are their usual challenges before using Golioth, and how does Golioth solve those challenges for them?”
“We are usually approached by a team with a new vehicle and getting to the point of asking, “so now how do we show where this thing is on a map???” They’re main goal at that point is how to just get the thing connected and anything showing up in software. Once we start an engagement with them and show what’s possible once they have a solution like Golioth in their stack, we start to plan out how they can build out their monitoring, operations and fully-tailored mobile apps with their software counterparts, usually months ahead of schedule.
It also varies by customer, but we are also often making intros to additional suppliers, design firms and even cloud capabilities, depending on their needs.”
You can learn more about Golioth and their micromobility connectivity solutions here.
For more observations and resources on owned and used micromobility, check out rideflywheel.com/resources.
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Featured Vehicles of the Week
MSRP: $11,900 | Flywheel Price Comparison: $0 less than avg resale price | Flywheel Vehicle Value: $11,900
The Eli Zero is a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) designed to bridge the convenience of a car with the ease of use that comes with a smaller form factor. For those that remember the Renault Twizzy or the Toyota i-Road, you’ll know that the concept of pod cars isn’t exactly new. Several incumbent auto OEMs have launched these kinds of mini cars in the past, and many even saw reasonable adoption in Europe and Asia where cities are generally more dense and parking space is more limited. However, none have truly taken off or seen any real adoption in the US. This is largely because these pod cars failed what Sanjay Dastoor calls the used Honda Civic test - If it costs more than a used Honda Civic, why would someone buy a smaller vehicle that’s often not highway capable? The Eli Zero, however, seems to be one of the first NEVs I’ve seen that could potentially pass the used Honda Civic test. At an MSRP of $11,900, especially given current used car prices, the Eli Zero just toes the line and potentially reaches a price point that incentivizes US consumers to make the switch to a pod car form factor. The Eli Zero is designed to meet NHTSA’s Low-Speed Vehicle regulations, which makes it street legal on any roads with speed limits up to 35mph. It’s powered by a 6kW powertrain with a 8kWh LFP battery pack, and the vehicle’s top speed is capped to 25mph. Eli is also offering a Zero Plus variant that has a larger 12kWh battery pack. The vehicle features two side-by-side seats and a 160L trunk, and its length is only 88in. This is just a tad longer than the width of the average sedan, and as such, fits in motorcycle parking spots and makes tight parallel street parking a breeze. From a software, UX, and electronics perspective, the Eli Zero has many of the same features as a car, such as heating and A/C, power steering, anti-lock brakes, e-parking brake, rear view camera, radar parking-assistance sensors, a Sony infotainment console for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and speakers with bluetooth. Eli opened US reservations earlier this month and currently has a production capacity of 4k vehicles per year. All Zeros will be distributed through dealerships, with deliveries expected to begin in Q3 2024. The Eli Zero undoubtedly faces a massive upward battle trying to gain ground in a country where cars are getting bigger and SUVs are becoming the norm, but it may strike just the right balance of cost and functionality to convince US consumers that small form factors can still pack a big punch. Listing can be found here.
The SixThreeZero EVRYjourney is a class-2 etrike. Marketed as an electric rickshaw, the EVRYjourney stands out from other etrikes because it is designed to carry multiple adult and/or child passengers. It has a massive total payload capacity of 500lbs and the rear passenger bench has a payload capacity of 300lbs, so it’s more than strong enough to carry two adult passengers and a few children depending on their age. The 26” wide rear bench is not only strong, it’s also extremely comfortable and comes with built-in seat belts. There’s also a floor panel for rear passengers to rest their feet on and a storage compartment below the bench for small bags and other cargo. To haul such a heavy payload, the EVRYjourney’s UL 2849 certified powertrain features a 750W (~80Nm) Bafang geared front hub motor and a 1008Wh UL 2271 certified battery pack. The max speed of the vehicle is capped at 16mph out of the box to help make sure that riders don’t go too fast when cornering and risk tipping over, but there is an off-road mode that can reach speeds up to 20mph. As with most etrikes, the rear tires are smaller (20”) than the front tire (24”) to keep the payload center-of-gravity low. These 4” wide fat-tires, combined with a front suspension fork, help make the EVRYjourney stable and cushioned to ride. The biggest downside to the EVRYjourney is that it has mechanical disc brakes as opposed to the stronger hydraulic brakes that are becoming the norm for high-payload vehicles, so I’d be careful when using this vehicle for anything other than casual cruising. This listing is available new on SixThreeZero’s website for $2K off MSRP. Listing can be found here.
Launched earlier this month, the Pedego Cargo is a class-2/class-3 longtail cargo bike. Branded a “sport utility” ebike by Pedego, the Cargo is fitted with all the accessories required for it to be a high-utility cargo hauler while still being agile and maneuverable to ride. What’s most immediately obvious about the Cargo is its extra long rear rack, which is supplemented by wooden side panels, folding running boards, rear cushions, a back rest, a rear handle, and a 11.5L cargo compartment mounted behind the seat tube so that the vehicle is ready for rear passengers to hop on right out of the box. That's hundreds of dollars worth of cargo accessories that normally need to be purchased in addition to the vehicle, but Pedego is including them standard with the Cargo. The Cargo’s UL 2849 certified powertrain features a strong 85Nm rear hub motor and a 460Wh UL 2271 certified battery pack with potted cells (isolated cells to minimize thermal runaway). There’s also mounts for an additional range extender battery pack below the rear bench. Rounding out the Cargo are 20” by 4” fat tires and a front suspension fork that make riding extremely comfortable, as well as a 10-speed SRAM transmission and hydraulic disc brakes to give it excellent handling. The Cargo is certainly more expensive than other longtail cargo bikes, but Pedego is well-reputed brand for its ultra-reliable bikes and there are more than 200 retail locations around the country for easy maintenance. Listing can be found here.
The Riese & Müller Tinker Vario is a premium class-1 folding ebike designed for comfortable and luxurious riding in a portable form factor. Its powertrain features an 85Nm Bosch Performance CX mid-drive motor and a 500Wh Bosch battery pack. As is expected of a Riese & Müller ebike, the Tinker Vario is buttery smooth to ride and has exceptional handling. Its combination of an Enviolo continuously variable transmission and a Gates carbon belt drive give riders a fluid and intuitive pedaling motion, the front suspension fork eats up most bumps on city streets, and the 20” wheels give it a nimble agility when riding in crowded bike lanes. The Tinker Vario is my favorite ebike in R&M’s lineup due to its compact form factor, which makes it easy to stow in the trunk of most cars or take along with you on the bus or train. Additionally, unlike most other folding ebikes, the Tinker Vario frame is as stable and robust as that of a commuter. This listing is being sold by its first owner and has a mileage of 4422.7mi. It has always been stored indoors and was tuned up just last month. The seller even includes a Carfax report-like receipt from the tune up that shows the status of the bike’s components. Listing can be found here.
The Heybike Tyson is a budget-friendly class-3 folding fat-tire ebike. Its standout feature is the unibody magnesium frame with integrated wheels, which not only delivers a striking look but also ensures that the frame is both strong and light. Despite weighing just under 77 lbs, the Tyson has an impressive payload capacity of 400 lbs. The powertrain (TÜV Certified in accordance with UL 2849) features an 80Nm geared rear hub motor paired with a 720Wh battery pack. While the pedal assistance and 7-speed Shimano transmission make pedaling reasonably smooth, most owners primarily use the Tyson’s throttle when riding. As per the seller: “It almost feels like a scooter. The throttle is awesome to get up to speed quickly, and allows you to get out of an intersection nice and fast.” The Tyson is supremely comfortable to ride due to its 20” by 4” fat tires and dual hydraulic suspension, and the sturdy built-in rear rack maximizes its considerable payload potential. Lastly, the Tyson is loaded with advanced software features such as ultra-bright lights for enhanced nighttime safety, an alarm, remote lock, and GPS tracking. This listing has a mileage of 200mi and is selling for ~$900 less than this model’s average resale price. Listing can be found here.
That’s it for this edition. Thanks again for joining, see you next week!
- Puneeth Meruva
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