The modern concept of travel brings a person closer to the means of transport by means of various means of mutual connection. The mobile phone has essentially become our second "I" and serves as a connecting bridge with the product we are about to use. In the case of means of transport, it also serves as identification of the user of the means, and thanks to this, it can offer us a comfort zone to make us feel at home - nice music, navigation through favorite places or correct seat and steering wheel height settings. These are examples of the use of connecting a phone to a passenger car. There are many other examples of the use of linking a mobile phone to a product.

The e-bike has recently become a phenomenon. This is also why their manufacturers are increasingly trying to expand the function of personalization and adaptation to the user. Connecting personal electronics - in this case a mobile phone - is appropriate. The German Bosch is one of the main pioneers in the development of new technologies in the segment of e-bike drive systems, so this year it introduced a new product in its portfolio - the Smart System. In short, it is a "smart" system with extended functionality. The system offers a completely new infrastructure that includes a new mobile phone application and allows it to be connected to new controllers. The mobile phone plays a big role in the new Smart System. Using the application, the user can personalize the entire drive, monitor ride statistics or use smart navigation in close connection with the entire drive system of the e-bike.

Hardware

Let's see what we have in hand. In order to expand the aforementioned functionalities, Bosch had to come up with a completely new communication solution. As for the Performance Line CX drive unit we tested, it has the same parameters as the original version of the drive, but the complete hardware is physically not compatible with the original unit. So, in the Smart System version, we will meet a drive unit (in our case, Performance Line CX), a PowerTube battery with a choice of 500 Wh/625 Wh/750 Wh capacities, a newly redesigned controller with multifunctional buttons and a display. In the test, we have a variant of the solution with a smart SmartphoneGrip holder, which allows the use of a holder for a mobile phone or a Kiox 300 display. The solution consists of a unified base located on the handlebars and exchangeable elements in the form of a compact Kiox 300 display and a holder for a phone with the possibility of wireless charging. In this case, it is a unique system solution that the user can easily personalize according to their own needs.

During the latest presentation of new products at the Eurobike exhibition, Bosch expanded the functionality of the Smart System for the Performance Line, Performance Line Speed ​​and Cargo Line drives. At the same time, he expanded the offer with new controllers and displays. Bosch wants to offer the user a complete solution and therefore added an ABS system for a controlled and safe braking system of the e-bike. Thus, the German manufacturer is constantly fighting bravely for the front row with the Japanese Shimano, which has revealed news in the form of an automatic shifting function.

Software

In this article, I don't want to go into detail about the performance of the drive unit, which by its functionality belongs to the current top of what the market can offer. I focused on the connection system of the e-bike and its user. With the arrival of the Smart System, the complete connection revolves around a new mobile phone application called eBike Flow. At the moment, we are returning to the possibility of functionally placing a mobile phone instead of a compact display on the handlebars. After installing and connecting the app to the wheel, the cards spin! Thanks to the app, you get a bunch of new features. The most essential ones are the possibility of electronic locking of the entire system, smart navigation with three preset guidance modes, monitoring of your activity with the possibility of subsequent sharing to sports applications such as Strava or Komoot or the possibility of customizing driving modes. Newly, for example, you get a crucial possibility to influence battery life by reducing the torque. The application thus becomes the center of the functionality of your e-bike. Stat trackers and "scratch debuggers" will be in their element!

All's well that ends well!

With the introduction of its Smart System, Bosch fundamentally stirred up the calm waters of the e-bike environment. The entire solution outlines where the development of drive systems will go. Increasing the user's connection with their e-bike seems to be a big theme for all drive manufacturers. By having the bike "online" you will be able to extend the functionality of the e-bike, without the need for hardware upgrades, which seems to be a reasonable way to go from the end user's point of view as well. Personally, I rate this function very positively, but purely from a practical point of view, you still need to pay attention to driving and a firm grip on the handlebars!

Author: Marek Bělovský