This Electric Bike Rides Itself Thanks To a Software That Controls All Its Components

One of the creators in the workshop in which they have built the first demonstration prototype of the electric bike Weel EV-B.La Weel EV-B is probably the smartest electric bike ever built, or so say its manufacturers: David Hansen, Justin Corbett and Dylan Meehan, three American visionaries inspired by the design and technology of the Tesla Cybertruck. The concept of autonomous vehicle that now evolves in electric cars is transferred here to a bike whose software controls each and every one of its components to allow it to drive alone.

Nowadays it is not strange that vehicles are endowed with a certain intelligence. However, the Weel EV-B takes that concept to a whole new level. Beyond its frame of thick matte gray aluminum beams inspired by the Cybertruck, what makes this vehicle more special is the integration of hardware and software to make it partially autonomous.

David Hansen, Justin Corbett and Dylan Meehan wanted to build a “cool” electric vehicle that looked like a bicycle, defined by software and could drive itself. The result is a pre-production prototype that although not yet available for purchase if it can be admired thanks to the video that appears below.

The software that governs the EV-B can be controlled through a dedicated application that is installed on the mobile phone. In fact, in this case the technical specifications of its engines are “unimportant”, since it can be configured to comply with the regulations of each region, so that, for example, in Europe a power limit of 250 W and a maximum assistance speed of 25 km / h would be established.

But in addition to that, from that application it is possible to control the brakes, the pedals, the sensitivity of the accelerator (to cancel it if it is not legal) and many more options. Although the maximum speed of the vehicle is limited by the software, it can potentially reach up to 80 km/h.

From what can be seen in the images, the mechanical architecture of the Weel EV-B is based on two electric motors, one in each hub of its wheels. It is powered by a battery integrated in the frame, pedals attached to a regeneration system, cables and sensors that replace components such as the chain, sprockets and gears and hydraulic brake systems.

On the front it integrates a dashcam capable of offering a 360-degree vision. It also includes several radars and a LiDAR with which it can anticipate frontal collisions, initiating, for example, the braking maneuver, to say just some of its most interesting features. The part of the software dedicated to artificial intelligence learns from the riding style of each cyclist and adjusts the parameters of assistance, braking and handling over time.

The application allows the adjustment of a large number of parameters and settings. The ‘Weel Copilot’ function is one of the most amazing functions of this electric bike because it can keep the bike balanced even when the hands are removed from the handlebars. Another notable function is the ‘Elevator Mode’ that helps to climb some stairs, for example.

While the creators have not yet revealed most of the specifications of the electric bike when it comes to the technical characteristics of its motors and battery, they do mention that they are fully customizable. Consequently, the power and kilometers during which you can assist the pedaling will depend on what each buyer chooses. If it has been advanced that the battery will be equipped with a fast charging system capable of adding 8 kilometers for every 15 minutes of connection to the network