Global e-bike brands gather at the CES

LAS VEGAS, USA – The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) returned to normal this year following the pandemic. Held from 5-8 January, the event attracted more than 115,000 visitors and 3,000 exhibitors. Organiser Consumer Technology Association still focused on electric mobility with a growing number of car manufacturers, but also a multitude of e-bike brands. A hot topic this year was vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, which continues to catch companies’ attention.

Michel de Chavanon

Like in 2022, safety was a very important topic at the CES. Several companies displayed their technologies concerning V2X or connectivity as a safety feature. Already exhibiting in 2022, Spoke came back this year at the booth of the chips manufacturer Qualcomm. “Working with Qualcomm, we are able to provide a reliable, robust, connected system that offers secure, direct communication for contextual awareness and alerts between drivers and riders, enhancing safety for Vulnerable Road Users (VRU).”

V2X solutions

“We have taken solutions previously engineered for automotive, reimagined form factor and added unique VRU algorithms to introduce the industry’s first safety solution designed specifically for bicycles, motorcycles and scooters. Spoke’s portfolio can be fully integrated by OEMs and is available to consumers after market,” says Jarrett Wendt, CEO of Spoke Safety. Spoke is already offering an integrated C-V2X solution (Spoke’s hardware and UXware System) to connect micro-mobility users such as cyclists and scooter riders. The French company, YoGoKo, is also pushing its V2X technology. Created 15 years ago, YoGoKo developed a unified software combining its advanced internet connectivity technologies and V2X technologies complying with cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems standards. The software is installed on a communication box equipped with various access technologies according to the effective use made by each client. “Our solution is already deployed on buses, cars and bikes,” explained Didier Ledain, YoGoKo general manager. YoGoKo works particularly well with iRider, which is specialised in Intelligent Rider Assistant System (IRAS) by using vision and artificial intelligence (AI).

E-bikes becoming trendy in the US

During the CES, Autotalks also showed off their know-how in this security segment by presenting the prototype ZooZ device. The idea of the prototype was to explain all the possibilities for the manufacturers. “We are only manufacturing the computer chip. Then, the brand has to find a way to integrate the chip in the bike and to develop the system to give the information to the rider,” explained Amir Asher, team leader at Autotalks. Later this year, Autotalks will launch a new chip (Tektron 3) supporting 5G. “The built-in software will enable Tier1s and OEM companies to integrate the V2X solution easily, with lower development and testing expenses, while assuring high quality and optimisation,” the company explained.

This year, an increasing number of Asian manufacturers decided to exhibit at the CES, as e-bikes are becoming more trendy in the US market. Based in Dongguan and Hong Kong, Komda presented a small range of e-bikes. Created more than 30 years ago, Komda specialises in producing scooters, e-scooters and ebikes. “Our production can reach 500,000 units per year with 90% being e-bikes and e-scooters,” said Tommy Wong, sales engineer of Komda. The company showed a very interesting concept of a light and portable battery. Thanks to miniaturisation, Komda is using a small unit located on the handlebar of a folding e-bike. “The battery can provide an autonomy of 25 km. It’s easy to take with you as it’s very compact and light,” he said. This concept is currently available in Japan at Cycle Base Asahi but also in Europe as the e-scooter brand Micro is using it for its folding e-bike.

Targeting US and European markets

Located in Beijing, Invanti chose the CES to introduce its new brand: 5th Wheel. Created in 2012, Invanti develops small electric vehicles like hoverboards and mono-wheels. In

2021, the Chinese company entered the e-bike market with folding e-bike D1. This year the manufacturer has decided to accelerate its activity by launching the 5th Wheel brand. At the CES, Invanti unveiled a full range of products with a new e-folding bike (D1 Pro), two urban e-bikes (R2 and R3), two e-MTB (X1 and M2) and one e-road bike (R1). All bikes come with an electric drive train from Ananda and Shimano derailleurs. “We are able to produce between 70,000-80,000 e-bikes per year in our Shenzen factory. Our goal is to distribute our products in the US but also in Europe. We are looking for distributors for European countries like France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany,” said Sunny Wu, Invanti COO.

In addition to these two companies, the Korean LUL presented two models. This manufacturer has a production capacity of 50,000 units, including 30,000 e-bikes. This brand is also looking for distributors in the US and Europe. The CES was also very interesting as some automotive brands, like the Vietnamese Vinfast, exhibited concept e-bikes. At its booth, the brand presented some models with a European design. Unfortunately, they are still

Electronics brand RCA enters the e-bike market

The iconic American brand, RCA, unveiled its first e-bike and e-scooter range during the 2023 CES in Las Vegas. This marks the electronics company’s first foray into the electric transportation space. RCA launched three e-bikes and four e-scooters with the goal of seducing younger customers. “RCA is a very well-known brand in the US and the world. But we needed to attract a new generation of consumers. The e-bikes and escooters are currently very trendy with this younger generation, which is why decided to enter this market,” explained Bill Thiele, head of retail relations for RCA.

The e-bike range consists of three models which are assembled in China. The Dirt-E model looks like a motorcycle; the Explorer is more dedicated to commuters with a 40-mile radius per charge (65 km), while the GoGo is a folding e-bike. The three models will be on sale in select retail locations at the end of the second quarter/beginning of the third quarter. “Our first in the concept phase and the brand could not give a release date. “We are gathering information about our products to see how visitors react,” explained a brand representative. In addition to Asian manufacturers, many exhibitors from other countries were present at the show. Among them, the American brand RCA unveiled its first range, and the Swedish brand Cake presented its modular e-cargo called Åik, which will be sold in 2023. “We have developed the motor (100 Nm), and it is possible to integrate three batteries (2,250 Wh) to guarantee an autonomy of 360 km. The Åik will be sold for around €6,500, and we will also offer different bundles,” said Kevin Klein, director of the brand’s B2B.

The Netherlands was also represented at the show with Truekinetix. Founded by Bas van Rens, this company has developed two home trainers called TrueTrainer and TrueBike. The first one was awarded by the Consumer Technology Association, organiser of the CES, for its innovative construction and features.