Thanks to the bot ChatGPT, artificial intelligence is once again the talk of the town. Such smart machines already make our everyday lives easier in many areas. Sometimes they solve enormously complex tasks absolutely independently. And even Acer’s first ebike is equipped with AI.
Analogous to the e-car, the software component of the ebike is also moving more and more into the foreground. Smart functions are in demand, for example when it comes to bicycle safety or navigation. On its recently presented smart bike called ebii, Acer even lets an AI control the motor.
In the pictures of the Acer ebii, the motor is always installed in the front wheel. Theoretically, it could also be integrated into the rear wheel.
Learning with every kilometre
However, this is still happening within a limited scope. The motor records the torque and speed via sensors integrated in the bike. The AI stores this data as riding behaviour. Since the ebii also features a GPS module, the system presumably also registers whether you are riding on a flat stretch of road or climbing an incline. Based on all this information, the motor provides the power it thinks you need in that situation. According to Acer, the Smartbike remembers your riding habits and continuously improves the riding experience.
However, the AI only takes care of the motor. There are no gears on the ebii, whose shifting processes might also have to be taken into account or even controlled. The drive is therefore controlled exclusively by selecting three riding modes. They are called Eco, My ebii and Boost. Their definition does not always sound completely plausible in the press release we received. Eco mode saves energy – so far, so good. My ebii mode talks about an automatic balance between performance and energy consumption. Ok. In Boost mode, on the other hand, the drive adapts speed and motor power to the road conditions and the distance to the destination. This sounds somehow very controlled and not necessarily as if the hub motor delivers everything its 250 watts and the torque of 40 Newton metres can produce in the boost mode without consideration of losses.
Not a bike for everyone
Nevertheless, you should be able to speed through the city on this compact ebike. With a total weight of 16 kilograms, it is clearly one of the lighter bikes of its kind. In addition, Acer tries to reduce the maintenance effort for the bike to a minimum in everyday use. The airless, puncture-proof tyres from Air Fom and the carbon Cycle Drive System belt fit coherently into this concept. Part of the truth is, of course, that mudguards and a rear carrier are missing. We couldn’t find out whether the necessary mounts are at least available on the frame. Still, there are integrated lights at the front and rear.
Acer will only launch one size of the aluminium frame with the monostay fork. According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for people with a body height of 1.45 metres to 1.85 metres. Since the handlebars are not adjustable in height and only the seat post remains for adjustment, this seems too optimistic to us.
Is anyone at Acer a fan of Cannondale? Or is the monostay fork really just to save weight?
More than just a battery
Externally, the ebii stands out noticeably from other competitors with its almost boxy main frame. However, the box is much more than just a design element. Inside it are the battery and the control module of the ebike system. The battery, developed by the Acer subsidiary MPS, can be removed and thus conveniently charged at the place of your choice. With just 2.5 hours for a full charge, this happens quite quickly.
Acer estimates the capacity of the battery at 460 watt hours. Under optimal conditions, this should give you a range of more than 100 kilometres. As known from the Lemmo, the battery not only serves as power storage for the ebike, but also as a charger for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, notebooks and others. However, with a length of around 83 centimetres and a weight of 2.8 kilograms, this is a rather bulky power bank. Probably not all of you want to carry it around just like that.
The battery of the Acer ebii can be removed downwards from the main frame.
App with key role
Due to the minimalist operating concept of the ebii, you can only read the charging status and the remaining range of the battery on the bike itself on an 8×8 LED dot matrix. Unfortunately, this is not shown in the pictures from Acer. So it remains uncertain how easy or difficult this is.
For more detailed information about the bike, you have to call up the app. The ebii does not feature a real display. In the ebii-GO app, you will find live data on the ride, such as the current speed, battery life and further information on the recommended route if you want the system to guide you to a destination of your choice. You can also select the riding mode via the app.
A mount for the smartphone is integrated on the stem as standard.
Smart solutions for safety
The ebii’s anti-theft device proves to be ingenious. To activate it, simply place the ebike on its kickstand. From that moment on, it switches to “lock mode”. If someone tries to move the bike and is not connected to it via the app, you will receive an alarm. At the same time, the GPS starts recording the location. This allows you to view the location of your bike and use the information to support the police in their search.
Acer has deliberately decided against a mechanical lock for the motor. The company considered the safety of the riders to be more important. That’s why, in addition to the electronic precautions, it recommends anti-theft protection in the form of a classic, high-quality bicycle lock. To unlock your bike, simply fold the stand back in while you are connected to the ebii via the app.
To ensure that nothing happens to you while riding, the Smartbike incorporates its own radar system. Sensors mounted under the saddle detect vehicles and other objects within an unspecified radius. A warning appears on the aforementioned 8×8 LED dot matrix. There is also an acoustic warning signal.
If this is all that appeals to you, you should make a note of September of this year. From then on, Acer wants to sell the ebii Smartbike at a price of 1,999 Euros.
Acer ebii at a glance
- Frame: Aluminium
- Motor: hub motor, 250 W
- Battery: 460 Wh
- Display: 8×8 LED dot matrix
- Drivetrain: Singlespeed with Cycle Drive System carbon belt
- Brakes: n.a.
- Weight: 16 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 120 kg
- Price: 1.999 Euro
Pictures: Acer Computer GmbH