(Source: Катерина Євтехова/stock.adobe.com)
In the final blog of this four-part series, we will look to the future, exploring the role that micromobility might play and how solutions will develop as new technology emerges.
While most current micromobility products used for personal transportation, including e-bikes and e-scooters, are smaller single-person solutions controlled by the operator, this might not be the case in the future. We are already starting to see more extensive solutions that can transport more than one person or allow operators to carry additional goods. Micromobility products are also beginning to include autonomous options.
One rapidly emerging bicycle subclass is electric cargo bikes, which are bicycles or tricycles with extended frames in front of or behind the rider with additional seats or a storage compartment (Figure 1). According to the Bicycle Association of Great Britain, cargo bike sales increased by 37 percent between May 2021 and May 2022.[1]
Figure 1: A typical front-load e-cargo bike. (Source: David Fuentes/stock.adobe.com)
Initially developed for commercial applications around the end of the nineteenth century, cargo bikes are far from new but are seeing a renaissance thanks to the electrification of the drivetrain.
Traditionally, the significant barrier preventing widespread uptake of cargo bikes was the additional weight, but with the proliferation of electric-assisted bicycle drivetrains, this has been removed. Electrification has rapidly increased the market's offerings, with a wide number of specialist e-cargo manufacturers as well as traditional cycle manufacturers now producing e-cargo models.
In turn, the popularity of cargo bikes for both commercial and personal transport has increased. In personal applications, they can be used as an alternative to cars or public transport, allowing users to transport goods and passengers across small distances.
In commercial operations, they are often used in “last-mile” deliveries. Companies ranging from small local businesses to distribution giants like Amazon[2] are now using e-cargo bikes to reduce the emissions of their deliveries and increase efficiency in densely populated areas where road networks can be slow.
e-Cargo bikes are not the only solution providing alternatives to traditional goods and multi-person transportation. Light electric vehicles (LEVs) are options that might see more demand in the future, especially in urban areas.
Kei cars (a classification for low-powered compact cars) have seen incredible popularity in Japan, even with internal combustion engine-powered drivetrains. Similar electric microcars, such as the Renault Twizy, have also seen success.
Technically classed as quadricycles, LEVs like the Renault Twizy and newer Citroën Ami aim to increase urban efficiency by being smaller and lighter, consuming less energy for operation and less raw materials to produce. Citroën is also targeting commercial last-mile deliveries with the cargo version of the Ami.
Stripping back all but the most necessary features of the already minimal Ami, the cargo model features just one seat and is a nimble and energy-efficient alternative to larger delivery vans.
While it can be difficult to predict accurately how micromobility solutions might evolve due to new technological innovations, looking at markets such as the automotive industry can help shed some light.
Beyond the electrification of the powertrain, the automotive industry is also undergoing a significant shift in terms of vehicle intelligence. The push for both advanced assistance features and fully autonomous operation is underway.
While bicycles may never be autonomous, commercial LEV applications such as delivery services and small taxis could well be, and early examples are appearing (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Autonomous cargo robots provide last-mile deliveries. (Source: Julia/stock.adobe.com)
For example, the autonomous delivery robot platform Starship has now completed over 5 million deliveries.[3] Traveling at 4mph, Starship's small robots use GNSS tracking and twelve onboard camera modules to guide movement through urban environments, with the locked chamber opening only once its location is confirmed.
Thanks to their low-speed, electric powertrain, and intelligent perception, Starship’s robots can use extensive footpath networks within urban environments (unlike many current delivery solutions), helping to offset their slower movement speed by taking more direct routes.
Technology can also help to enhance existing solutions such as e-bikes, e-scooters, electric hoverboards, and electric skateboards by increasing performance and safety.
Acknowledging that e-bikes and e-cargo bikes are heavier than traditional alternatives and therefore need more intelligent braking systems, especially in adverse conditions, Bosch launched its bicycle anti-lock braking system (ABS) in 2018.[4]
Designed for conditions ranging from mountain biking to urban deliveries, it uses a combination of wheel speed sensors and brake modulation technology derived from car and motorbike ABS to prevent front wheel locking. Bosch estimates that if all e-bikes were equipped with ABS, up to 29 percent of accidents per year could be prevented.[5]
Micromobility can reshape our existing commercial and personal transportation solutions, optimizing energy use and reducing journey times. Both the public and distribution worlds have already taken note of the benefits, with current solutions seeing considerable growth in recent years.
That said, there have been and continue to be issues that might hamper the expansion of micromobility. However, through the application of new regulations and technological innovations that can enhance safety and performance and create new implementations, the market can continue to evolve and thrive.
We are already seeing this transformation with high-performance electronic components helping to create autonomous delivery robots and enhanced safety systems for e-bikes. And this trend should be set to continue, with powerful innovations, including AI, bound to open even more niches for the opportunistic micromobility market.
Sources
[1] Laura Laker, “UK Bike Sales Take Pause, Cargo Movement Powers On,” Cycling Industry News, August 24, 2022, https://cyclingindustry.news/uk-bike-sales-cargo-bike-growth/. [2] “Amazon Expands Electric Cargo Bike Deliveries in Manchester and London,” About Amazon UK, November 24, 2022, https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/sustainability/amazon-expands-electric-cargo-bike-deliveries-in-manchester-and-london. [3] Starship Technologies, accessed January 12, 2024, https://www.starship.xyz/. [4] “Market Launch of Bosch eBike ABS,” Bosch Media Service, July 7, 2018, https://www.bosch-presse.de/pressportal/de/en/market-launch-of-bosch-ebike-abs-164160.html. [5] Bosch eBike ABS: Safe Braking for eBikes, accessed January 12, 2024, https://www.bosch-ebike.com/en/products/abs.
Part of Mouser's EMEA team in Europe, Mark joined Mouser Electronics in July 2014 having previously held senior marketing roles at RS Components. Prior to RS, Mark spent 8 years at Texas Instruments in Applications Support and Technical Sales roles and holds a first class Honours Degree in Electronic Engineering from Coventry University.