TIER’s e-scooter with smart ‘Parrot’ set to run on London streets

Berlin-based shared micro mobility provider TIER Mobility is rolling out its first in-house developed IoT module - ‘Parrot’. Each e-scooter has a module fitted to connect it to TIER’s operations teams. The first 60 Parrot-equipped e-scooters will be launched in London this week, with further trials taking place in Norway and France in the coming months.

The trial will collect data from across Europe to finalise the feature-set which will come with the full roll out of the new module being planned in 2023.

The micro mobility provider recently acquired Ford-owned shared electric bike and scooter operator Spin to expand into North America. 

A step change in processing power and 4G connectivity, the new ‘Parrot’ IoT module features upgraded hardware including sensors. The new software enables edge-computing data analysis to take place on the scooter, rather than relying on a cloud connection. According to the mobility startup, this will allow the system to respond more quickly to data from the on-board sensors, as well as analysing inputs from multiple sensors at the same time.

The new model will empower TIER to drastically improve positioning and parking accuracy, as well as developing new use cases, from e-scooters being able to report when maintenance is needed further in advance, to recognising and reducing the likelihood of unsafe rider behaviours.

Talking about the new development, Eryk Sokolowski, head of vehicle and IOT programmes at TIER said: “Our number one goal was to improve the safety and overall rider experience of our e-scooters through increased positioning and parking accuracy. The team has managed to significantly improve this utilising cutting edge hardware, reducing vehicle reaction times to geo-fenced zones and enabling a much smoother parking experience for the user.”

4G connectivity for the platform will be provided by Twilio Super SIM. Taylor Wolfe, head of IoT at Twilio added: “With our architectural foundation of a multi-IMSI IoT SIM, powered by our APIs that improve SIM management efficiency, we are excited that TIER will have global connectivity experience for Parrot and give them peace of mind that their connectivity will scale as their business grows.”