Utility Archives - Page 2 of 2

Software as a Service – a New Look into E-bikes

Jukka Mäennenä on 2020-04-07

Until now e-bikes are seen only as hardware that provides a means for transportation. The addition of electricity and circuit boards to a 200-years old invention can open doors that haven’t been discovered before. E-bikes can be so much more when some “smarts” are added to them and we are on our way in doing that.

The Mechanical Foundation

It goes without saying that a sound mechanical structure is a prerequisite for a well-functioning e-bike, no matter if it’s a frame, wheels or in our case, the drive unit.

Revonte ONE Drive System is based on robust and time-tested mechanical design, which is further refined to match the demands of an e-bike drive train. No matter how advanced or ingenious the drive units design is, there’s a limit when it comes to versatility.

A drive unit that functions solely on mechanical principles is inherently limited. One does not simply have the space needed to add extra gears, differentials, cogs and, belts into the mix. If the motor compartment is limited in the automotive world, the real estate inside of an e-bike drive unit is truly at a premium.

Software in Command

When electronics are added to the mix and highly developed software is put in command, several limitations are overcome and possibilities grow almost exponentially!

When the motor provides the working basis for the drive unit and the finer actions are left to the smart party – software that is – a whole new level of possibilities are brought to the table, such as:

Automatic and stepless function – the thing Revonte ONE Is known for. On the other hand, software preferences allow the use of traditional indexed shifting, if one wishes so.
Ride-diagnostics include tracking, mapping functions and service needs of the bicycle.
Anti-theft feature. The bike can be disabled remotely in case if it ends up in the wrong hands.

Software at Your Service

Besides the features listed above, the software-first approach enables a wide range of possibilities – some that have only been thought of before and some completely new.

For example, the shared economy model is growing rapidly since people prefer to pay for the service and utility functions of products. In certain cases, owning something is more of a liability than an asset. With the growing density of cities and other changes in the urban landscape, the shared economy model simply makes sense. A small number of cars already work in this way. Bicycles are catching up and possibly even taking the lead soon! The highly adaptable software platform enables service providers, housing cooperatives and alike to harness the power of e-bikes to a large group of people with only a nominal fee compared to buying and owning a bike.

The shared economy model has a lot in common with rental use. One could argue that it’s renting with the exception that it’s limited to a certain group of users. Since the commonalities are clear, the software can be easily adapted to be used as a platform for operating a rental fleet of bikes.

The Revonte ONE Drive System has been planned from the start to have continuous updates. In other words, the bike and the ride-experience get better over time! It’s the opposite of what happens to utility products by default! Several update packages will be available so that the end-user can choose what features he or she deems necessary and is willing to pay for – an approach which is standard practice in computer programs and phone apps.

The Next Step

Inventing the wheel was the first necessary step in the birth of the bicycle. The invention of chain-drive, pneumatic tires and gears have been some of the major milestones in the later developmental arc.

It can be argued that the addition of electrical assistance and smart features provided by the software is the next big step! It enables features and possibilities that haven’t existed before and on top of that, one can choose the right combination of features and services that are considered beneficial and necessary – just like on a smartphone.

Here at Revonte, we are taking the leading role with the revolutionary Revonte ONE Drive System. The first wave of e-bike manufacturers to use our drive system has been announced already. The latest addition broadens our operating field to cargo e-bikes which are among the fastest-growing sectors in both bicycles and logistics. We are thinking beyond the hardware and are excited to see the possibilities that lay ahead.

EAV and Revonte ONE Drive System – A New Type of Cargo E-bike

Jukka Mäennenä on 2020-03-11

As you might have already heard we have collaborated with EAV – a new generation vehicle production company – with a goal in producing an innovative cargo e-bike by integrating the revolutionary Revonte ONE Drive System into a new type cargo bike platform.

The powerhouse of choice for the upcoming and innovative EAV models will be the Revonte ONE Drive System.

Out of the Box Thinking

The traditional model for cargo bikes includes a bicycle with added cargo-carrying capabilities in the form of a platform or similar construction. EAV has taken almost the opposite route by approaching the design from a cargo van point of view.

EAVans and EAVcabs have the capabilities and features previously found only from motorized vehicle categories, but it still falls under the legislation of normal e-bikes. Besides improved payload capacities, the EAVans bring several benefits from safety and operational point of view.

Despite the hefty appearance, EAV’s models are incredibly light, thanks to a highly optimized design, material choices, and manufacturing processes. Besides the high-tech features, simplicity has been a priority throughout the design process so that the number of moving parts is kept to a minimum to make the EAVans and EAVcabs very robust and low-maintenance.

The Versatile Powerhouse

The highly configurable nature of the Revonte ONE Drive System makes it an excellent match for cargo e-bikes. Heavy payloads require raw numbers in the form of peak power output and torque to keep the bike moving – both of which the ONE Drive Unit possesses. It’s not just about the numbers, though. A first-class ride experience requires just as much brains as it asks for brawn, and this is where the Revonte ONE Drive System truly differentiates itself.

An ingenious mechanical design of the drive unit is enhanced with sophisticated software which is where the magic lays. The behavior of the drive system can be configured depending on the bike model and later fine-tuned by the user via our dedicated app.

A list to summarize why Revonte ONE Drive System is the advantageous choice for cargo e-bikes.

Automatic & stepless transmission makes accelerating effortless in all types of terrain.
High peak power output and torque, up to 1500W and 90Nm to be precise.
Highly configurable assistance modes and ride behavior enabled by sophisticated control software.
Mid-drive design is the optimal choice from a weight distribution and design point of view. This applies as well to cargo e-bikes as to regular bikes.

Combining the Revonte ONE Drive System with the modular construction of the EAV line-up opens new areas for the design and use of cargo e-bikes. The potential has been noted not only inside the industry but among the more mainstream media. One such example is a recent feature in the popular Newatlas.com tech site.

New Chapter in Logistics

EAV is the first cargo e-bike company to employ the Revonte ONE Drive System and among the first wave of e-bike manufacturers in benefiting the many features of the smartest e-bike drive system available.

We at Revonte are enthusiastic to collaborate with EAV to advance the logistical industry by creating a cargo e-bike with unprecedented features. No other solution has similar payload carrying capacities, safety aspects, simple but versatile construction, and forward-thinking feel to it.

In spite of being a relatively new player in the field, EAV has already established relationships with globally operating logistics companies. We are excited to join the journey in turning the next chapter in the logistical chain.

Ride Experience Is More Than Performance Metrics

Jukka Mäennenä on 2020-02-21

Evaluating e-bike drive systems is a lot more than comparing performance metrics, i.e. peak power or peak torque values. Numbers do matter but a lot remains hidden if the assessment is done purely based on them. To deliver an exceptional ride experience, the drive system needs to work in smooth harmony to determine how the available power is used
Read further to learn more about the thinking behind the Revonte ONE Drive System and why the ride experience it offers is like no other.

Revonte in action — The Revonte ONE Drive System demonstrating the unprecedented ride experience during the Revonte ONE test drive video shoot.

Beyond Numbers

The mechanical design behind the Revonte ONE Drive System generates plenty of power even for the most challenging user-cases and conditions. Besides having a robust, time-tested and reliable mechanical construction, it was clear from the start that the raw numbers should also meet a high standard.

As the name suggests, Revonte ONE Drive System is compatible with all and every type of e-bikes, including cargo bikes which demand a lot of torque to move respectable payloads.

We would have liked to announce the performance metrics of our drive system in a similar fashion to one well-known British car manufacturer as stating simply: “Enough.”

However, the number of questions and inquiries related to this domain reaches overwhelming quantities quickly which is the reason we decided to take the unequivocal route.

Control Precedes Power

To put it shortly, raw power is important. Deficiencies in that department will show up in the form of slow acceleration and sluggish uphill performance among other things. No amount of power is useful though if it’s not controlled. A drag car can drive a straight line with considerable speed, but it turns almost useless when the first turn in the road presents itself.

E-bike and the desired ride experience demands a lot more than merely delivering the most amount of watts or horsepowers to the rear wheel. Contol in the form of timing and the amount of power delivered is of the essence here – and we tackled the challenge to perfect that.

To reach the desired assistance characteristics, the rider inputs are monitored continuously by the software among the incline, speed, and other relevant metrics. Based on the gathered data, the software calculates the right amount of assistance for every moment. It takes a considerable amount of work in the form of programming, testing and repeating this development loop more times than we care to count, but the resulting magic in the form of ride experience provided is worth it.

Real-life Examples

Our recent and test ride video provides an ample amount of examples of how the Revonte ONE Drive System ride experience is ahead of the game.

Acceleration with a steady cadence – Using indexed manual gears requires constant changes in cadence for keeping in the optimal range for human-based power output. With the automatic function of the Revonte ONE Drive System, the whole acceleration can be done with a steady cadence, i.e. 70 or 90RPM.
Smooth assistance – The nature of how the power is dosed from the motor to the rear wheel plays a major role in the ride experience. A quick and large burst of power gives a feeling similar to a motorbike, whereas a more mild-mannered dose of power preserves the feeling of a traditional bicycle. Either one of these and anything in between can be had because of the highly configurable nature of the drive system.
Option to choose – It poses no problem if one wants to use a more traditional type indexed shifting. The switch from automatic to manual and back can be done easily via our App.
Intuitive use – the human-machine interface is important but oftentimes overlooked aspect of the drive system. We took great care to make our Remote design right.
Focus on the essentials – Revonte ONE Drive System makes riding easy so that one can focus on the things that matter the most, the surroundings and ride itself.

Software First

The recipe for ultimate ride experience constitutes of ingenious mechanical design which is further enhanced with a highly developed software. The vast amount of options for configuring the behavior and the ride characteristics built into the software which forms the core of the Revonte ONE Drive System. As our CEO Otto Chrons eloquently put it in a recent interview:

“For us, all the cool things are in the software.”

The unprecedented ride experience is a lot more than just having lots of power and transferring it quickly to propulsion. We have taken great care to design the Revonte ONE Drive System that it fills the demands of every type of e-bike in the market and perhaps even exceeds the rider expectations.

Cargo E-bikes Pave the Way For Electrical Transportation

Jukka Mäennenä on 2020-02-05

E-bikes are here to stay and it is not something to be argued with. The relevant question is to what extent will e-bikes substitute their “acoustic siblings”. Commuter bikes and e-mtb’s are undergoing an electric revolution, but it does not end there. The main goal in developing our drive system was to make not only compatible but also the most competitive drive system to all types of e-bikes. Let us explain why the Revone ONE Drive System is the powerhouse of choice for cargo e-bikes.

Challenges with Urban Environment

Unquestionably, the urban environment is changing and so is urban mobility. Private motoring leads to heavy traffic, long commuting times, wrecked nerves and pollution. Combine this with the ever-growing transportation of goods and the recipe of serious traffic jams are already brewing. Most – if not all – of city centres were not designed for the number of cars that swarm the streets. The roads and even the widest highways are often seriously undersized for the level of use they encounter daily.

Combine this with the lack of parking spots and living space in general, not to mention the poor air quality that most metropolitan areas suffer from. It is evident that alternative options for transportation need to be developed.

E-bikes offer one piece of the puzzle when it comes to commuting. It does not end there, though. The same technology can be harnessed to small-scale transportation as well.

Pedal-driven Transportation

Bicycle-equipped courier isn’t a new invention. Pedal-driven velocipedes have been used for transportation purposes since the 1860s. A regular bicycle is well-suited for delivering letters and other small shipments, but the limits of the payload are reached rather quickly.

The next organic step in the evolution of different bicycle types was the invention of cargo bike, or also known as the freight bicycle. First used by tradesmen to deliver mail and conveniences, like milk and bread. It is telling that in the UK, this bicycle type is sometimes referred to as a butcher’s bike or delibike.

Nowadays cargo bikes are used routinely in purposes such as:

Courier and delivery services in urban environments.
Child transport – this type of use is growing in popularity rapidly.
Industrial use, ie.g. warehouse inventory transportation and tool and raw material transportation in large industrial facilities.
Mail delivery – the UK post office alone operates a fleet of 33,000 bikes.

As one can see, the cargo bikes can be used in a variety of ways and they provide a competitive option to combustion engine powered means of transport, especially in short distances and small to medium payloads.

Cargo Bikes Supercharged

Electrical assistance can literally supercharge cargo bikes. In traditional bikes, heavy loads and rolling hills will take the win over even the most dedicated courier unless he or she has the legs of a Tour de France contender or elite-level track cyclist.

The continuous assistance of 250W will make the difference between a struggle on a saddle and enjoyable riding. Couple this with the high peak torque value of 90Nm which the Revonte ONE Drive System possesses. This amount of torque is enough to climb up even the steepest of hills with a respectable payload.

Since cargo bikes are inherently heavier than traditional models, increasing battery size or even adding a second battery won’t cause any problems weight-wise. Bigger battery means more range so that one full workday can be covered with one charge. This, in turn, means more efficient transportation.

Revonte ONE is the Powerhouse of Choice for Cargo E-bikes

Revonte ONE Drive System is the most versatile e-bike drive system around. Mid-drive unit is the best fit for all types of bicycles, including cargo bikes. Technical specifications are in the leading class and are more than enough for cargo e-bikes. Heavy industrial use is a case of its own but for everyday use, Revonte ONE Drive System is a trusty companion.

The automatic and stepless function of the transmission is a very good fit for cargo e-bikes since it enables the rider to concentrate 100% on riding and observing the surroundings, whether it be in an urban or industrial setting. In a varied terrain with lots of hills or steep inclines, the automatic feature is particularly useful, since it prevents the rider from getting stuck because of too high gear selection. The sophisticated control software of the Revonte ONE Drive System continuously adjusts the assistance based on the inputs received from the rider and the angle of incline.

Because of the software-first approach, the behavior of electrical assistance can be tailored according to the bike model and the type of use it’s designed for. Configuration can be done in two steps: by the bike manufacturer and lastly, by the rider. Not only can the bike manufacturer decide the ride-characteristics of the bike, but the rider is also able to fine-tune them as he or she wishes. Remote diagnostics and service recommendations are provided by the inbuilt 4G connection provides. This way, it is made sure that the bike is operational when it counts and recommended service times can be planned accordingly. The Revonte ONE Drive System is currently the only motor option to offer these features.

Cargo E-bikes provide a noteworthy option for transporting small to medium-size goods. Adding a highly-developed electrical motor to the mix quite literally supercharges the bike, giving it the ability to move heavier loads, further than before and with more convenience.

The future of electrically-powered transportation is here and cargo e-bikes are a part of it. Don’t miss out.

If you’re in the business of building cargo e-bikes, get in touch [email protected]