A Dutch innovative start up and Technical University Delft spin-off, has developed a contactless charging tile (in combination) with a compatible dual bicycle kickstand.
The universal dual kickstand should be mounted on an e-bike and placed on the tile to charge wirelessly but connected. The kickstand is connected by an internal cable with the battery. The company has developed electronics that can provide wireless charging and is also exploring methods for other light electric vehicles such as cargo e-bikes, e-scooters and handicap transport.
The heart of the research lies in the wireless charger system for charging electric vehicles, for which a patent has been applied.
From the end of Q1 2021, the charging tiles for e-bikes can be offered on the market throughout Europe for selected partners.
The company envisions a future with light electric vehicles posing a solution for many problems our society is facing today, such as air pollution, traffic jams, lots of concrete and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Supported by the ongoing growing popularity and sales figures of e-bikes, 6% in 2007 till 42% in 2019, the company wants to tap into this green mobility development by delivering their innovative sustainable infrastructural solutions.
At this moment the Dutch company is looking for partners in and outside Europe and is interested in long term collaborations.
The company is looking for e-bike manufacturing partners like OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers ) or fleet owners that can integrate the kickstand in their product. The type of cooperation aimed for is a commercial agreement with technical assistance.
For exploring and bringing the products to the market the company is looking for partners interested a joint-venture agreement, which also could be OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
Advantages & innovations
1. Easy and universal e-bike charging solution. No more hassle with cables. No need to carry your own adaptor and keep a wide variety of adaptors. No need to carry your battery, the most vulnerable part of the e-bike, with risks of cable breakage, fire hazard and a consequently shorter lifetime of the battery.
2. The universal charging enables the client to stay flexible in adding different e-bikes to the fleet. However adding specific e-bikes may take some development time.
3. The charging tile is safe, sturdy and vandalism proof. Ability to charge outside, good resistance to external influences like rain, frost, high thermal stability and no failure due to corrosion.
4. The charging tile has minimal impact to the cityscape.
5. Integration into already existing paved areas in inner cities, by easily lifting up the laid paving and connect the charging tile to a local grid. No foundation or complex screw connections necessary. Can coexist with already mounted bicycle racks.
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6. Smart charging:
• Able to charge 2A to extend the lifespan of the battery (for example when the e-bike is not used for approximately 4 hours).
• With integrated temperature sensors the system shuts-of with high temperature or any anomalies to prevent fire hazard.
The tile contains a Ken-Bus microprocessor and is able to:
• store data to be used for usage behaviour.
• provide remote monitoring
• integrate possibilities with API (Application Programming Interface) and Internet of Things (IoT), like automatic lock integration, tire pressure sensors etcetera.
7. The charging process can be followed by light indicators: blue is charging, green is fully charged and red means a malfunction.
8. Saves the end user money. With the regular European 230 Voltage grid, approximately 12 tiles can be connected to a 16 Ampère fuse box and means there is always a charged e-bike available.
Stage of development
Available for demonstration
Partner sought
The actual green mobility developments make the innovative sustainable charging tile and kickstand very interesting. The sustainable growth of e-bikes and light electric vehicles goes hand in hand with a good infrastructure. Therefore, the company is looking for different type of partners.
For the commercial agreements with technical assistance the company is looking for partners like:
-(e)-bike OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and/or
- manufacturers of e-bike chargers and/or
- bike accessories, that are interested in extending their product portfolio with the e-bike charger and kickstands
The tasks of these partners are focused on manufacturing, co-developing and producing client specific charging solutions, all with the support of the company.
For the joint-venture agreements the company is looking for partners, who can explore the market and bring their products to market, which could be:
- the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) of e-bikes,
- companies, that have a relevant B2B network of end users, like renting e-bikes, food delivery, hotels, railway stations and so on and
- companies that have a good network with governments, who want to be front runners in electrification of their urban mobility projects.
The tasks of these partners are focused on promotion: on- and offline marketing activities via social media, website, participation in exhibitions, various meetings with potential clients and networks in their region or country.
English and/or German speaking applies to both type of partners.