As electric bikes and scooters continue to gain popularity around the world and brands are looking for new and innovative ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. One way to do this is by adding smart features to vehicles such as GPS tracking, movement alerts, and vehicle control through a mobile app. But when it comes to developing the connectivity solution that enables these features, brands face a choice: should they build it in-house or partner with a connectivity expert such as Comodule?

While there are several e-bike brands that have successfully developed their connectivity solution in-house (we’re looking at you Cowboy and VanMoof), setting up an IoT system is more complex than it might seem and there is a myriad of things vehicle manufacturers should consider when deciding what is the best solution for them.

1. Connectivity is more than just an app

To set up a fully working IoT system, several technology layers need to work together as one. The IoT hardware device is controlled by firmware, connected to a cellular network, data cloud, and software tools such as rider app and back-end platforms.

Developing a connectivity system for e-bikes or scooters needs specialized expertise in software development, hardware design, and user experience. Light electric vehicle brands may not have all of this expertise in-house, which can make the process more challenging and time-consuming. As an alternative, opting for a partner allows you to skip all the development, and instead, you can focus on building exceptional vehicles. 

Having connected more than 600 000 vehicles over the last 8 years, Comodule’s team has learned a lot along the way. Manufacturers don’t need to go through the same challenges and mistakes but can lean on existing expertise.

2. Customization

When developing a solution in-house, manufacturers and brands have full control over the features and user experience they want to offer, which gives them more flexibility. While external connectivity solutions usually provide a fixed set of smart features, at Comodule we know that no two e-bikes or scooters are the same, so we also offer tailored IoT solutions to each brand’s specific needs. In these cases, collaboration works best if the company has a clear connectivity roadmap.

3. Integration

An important part of building a connectivity solution is making it work together with the electric vehicle system. Comodule’s connectivity solutions are already compatible with most major drivetrains and many third-party accessories such as smart locks. To ensure a smooth implementation and adoption of the solutions, we have a team of engineers ( the true rockstar of our team) who manage the integrations of IoT to each specific vehicle.

4. Cost

Developing a connectivity solution from scratch can be a significant investment. Brands will need to hire developers, invest in hardware, and dedicate resources to ongoing maintenance and updates. Partnering with a specialized connectivity provider is a more cost-effective option than developing a full IoT system in-house. Depending on the use case, there are simpler, more cost-efficient solutions available to get bikes connected without breaking the bank.  

The cost of developing an IoT system would depend on a variety of factors, such as the complexity of the system, the number of features included, and the size of the development team. That being said, developing a custom IoT system in-house is estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of euros. This includes the cost of hiring a team of developers, designers, and other professionals, as well as the cost of hardware and software infrastructure. In addition to the initial development cost, there would also be ongoing maintenance and support costs, which could range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of euros per year. It's safe to say that developing a custom IoT system in-house can be a significant investment.

5. Time-to-market

Building a connectivity solution in-house can take a lot of time, which can delay the launch of new vehicle models and features. The amount of time it would take to develop IoT in-house depends on several factors, including the existing technology infrastructure, resources, and expertise in IoT development. Assuming the company has some level of technical expertise and resources, developing IoT in-house could take anywhere from several months to a few years. This process involves several stages, including defining the requirements, designing the system architecture, developing and testing the hardware and software, integrating the system with the hardware, and deploying and maintaining the system. The development time can also be influenced by the complexity of the IoT system and the level of customization required.

Overall, developing an IoT system in-house requires a significant investment of time. By choosing to work with an external partner, manufacturers and brands can get to market faster, and launch new models and features more quickly. Depending on the solution, we can equip your fleet with IoT in a matter of months.

6. Maintenance

Maintaining a reliable and up-to-date connectivity system is an ongoing process. When developing an IoT system in-house, it's essential to have the necessary resources to ensure its continued maintenance and development. Alternatively, opting for a connectivity provider's solution can provide a more worry-free experience as they are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the system. At Comodule, we offer a solution that guarantees 99.8% uptime, and we continually develop new features and functionalities to improve our system's performance.

Moreover, we provide a personal support contact for each company that handles any issues that may arise. Our team is available to support companies with over-the-air updates, technical questions, and training.

Ultimately, the decision to develop a connectivity solution in-house or go with a partner such as Comodule will depend on the specific needs and resources of each e-bike or scooter brand. While developing a solution in-house may offer more customization and control, it can be more costly and time-consuming. In the long term, partnering with Comodule is more cost-effective and will get connected vehicles to market faster. Not to mention the extra peace of mind that you get when someone else takes ownership of creating and maintaining the technology, allowing you to focus on your core business, building exceptional vehicles. In either case, it's important for brands to carefully weigh the pros and cons and choose the option that best fits their business goals and objectives.