Kicksharing Companies Develop Homegrown Electronic Components for Enhanced Scooter Navigation and Security

Russian kicksharing services have begun developing their own electronic components for electric scooters, focusing initially on IoT modules. This initiative is expected to enhance navigation and improve the security of user data, as reported by Izvestia.

According to the company Whoosh, a kicksharing operator, it has integrated its self-developed IoT module into its scooters for the current season. The company claims that this will enable the scooters to more accurately determine their coordinates and receive satellite signals. Approximately 18,000 electric scooters are already equipped with these modules.

The firm states that a primary goal in creating in-house electronic components was to address issues with satellite navigation malfunctions. Chinese modules are often susceptible to interference, complicating the location tracking of the scooters and monitoring user activities.

A source from one of the kicksharing services informed Izvestia that the development of proprietary IoT modules also relates to information security concerns. Companies aim to prevent user trip data from being shared with third parties, especially overseas.

MTS Urent has mentioned that its «Urent 2.0» scooters also utilize custom-designed electronics. This adaptation is essential to meet regulatory requirements and tackle market challenges, such as GPS functionality issues. A company representative stated that domestic developments enable a quicker response to changes compared to Chinese alternatives.

«There is an opportunity to collect telemetry data and analyze it—this pertains to aggressive riding, for instance. We are also implementing new technologies: preventing double riding and much more. Our own navigation equipment provides flexibility; for example, you can not only use GPS but also utilize other positioning methods—such as WiFi and cellular base stations,» the source remarked.

Around 40,000 MTS Urent scooters are already fitted with their own electronics.

Denis Kuskov, CEO of TelecomDaily, notes that satellite navigation issues may persist for a considerable time, making the installation of Russian electronic modules a sensible solution. He emphasizes that possessing proprietary navigation equipment offers a competitive edge, as it helps protect user movement data from third parties. This information can be crucial for business planning and growth, the expert concludes.