Superpedestrian
{{Short description|American transportation robotics company}}
{{Promotional|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Superpedestrian
| logo = 100px
| type = Private
| industry = Robotics, Transportation, Micromobility, E-scooters
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founded = 2013
| founder =
| defunct =
| hq_location_city = Cambridge, Massachusetts
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = Global
| key_people = Julian Alexander Hahn and Mats André Breesth, Founders of SURF Beyond and Co CEO´s of SP
| products =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent =
| website = {{URL|superpedestrian.com}}
}}
Superpedestrian Inc., is a transportation robotics company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that developed electrified and AI technologies for micro mobility vehicles. The company ran the LINK e-scooter sharing program, which was active in 57 cities{{Cite web|last=Gain|first=Vish|date=2022-02-01|title=Superpedestrian raises $125m as it eyes Ireland for R&D base|url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/superpedestrian-funding-ireland|access-date=2022-02-03|website=Silicon Republic|language=en}} across the US and Europe.
In December 2023 Tech Crunch reported that the business would close by December 31, 2023, with all scooters recalled into warehousing.
Superpedestrian was [https://zagdaily.com/trends/superpedestrian-lives-on-with-surf-beyond-acquisition/ acquired] in February 2024 by the Norwegian SURF Beyond group led by the two founders Julian Alexander Hahn and Mats André Breesth.
History
Superpedestrian's first product, The Copenhagen Wheel, was developed at MIT's Senseable City Lab in 2009 in partnership with the city of Copenhagen, and unveiled at the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference. In December 2012, Assaf Biderman, a co-inventor of the Wheel and associate director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, founded Superpedestrian to commercialize the Wheel. After several years of engineering, testing, and validation, the Copenhagen Wheel officially launched in April 2017.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
In December 2018, the Boston Business Journal reported the company would shift its focus to start building electric scooters and supplying the scooter sharing fleet operators such as Bird and Lime.{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Kelly J. |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2018/12/04/mit-born-superpedestrian-to-sell-electric-scooters.html |title=MIT-born Superpedestrian to sell electric scooters |work=Boston Business Journal |date=2018-12-04 |access-date=2018-12-05 }} In 2020, the company instead began operating shared scooter fleets itself in the US, before expanding to Italy and Spain.{{Cite press release|last=Superpedestrian|title=Superpedestrian führt LINK E-Scooter in Wien ein|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/superpedestrian-fuhrt-link-e-scooter-in-wien-ein-873923107.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}} In 2021, the company opened sharing services in Austria, Sweden{{Cite web|date=2021-05-21|title="Elsparkcyklarnas Volvo" till Sverige – säkrar färden med ai|url=https://www.di.se/digital/elsparkcyklarnas-volvo-till-sverige-sakrar-farden-med-ai/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Dagens industri|language=sv}} and Portugal.{{Cite web|last=Sousa|first=Jéssica|date=2021-06-02|title=Chegou uma nova operadora de mobilidade partilhada a Lisboa com mil trotinetes elétricas prontas para circular|url=https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/chegou-uma-nova-operadora-de-mobilidade-partilhada-a-lisboa-com-mil-trotinetes-eletricas-prontas-para-circular-745904|access-date=2021-06-08|website=O Jornal Económico|language=pt-PT}}
Products
= VIS =
The Vehicle Intelligent Safety system (VIS) is a network of sensors, micro-computers and AI that enable micromobility vehicles to self-detect problems and respond.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title="When you're in the zone, you're in the zone." - Haya Douidri of Superpedestrian|url=https://www.electrive.com/2021/03/31/when-you-are-in-the-zone-youre-in-the-zone-haya-douidri-of-superpedestrian/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=electrive.com|language=en-US}}
= Copenhagen Wheel =
File:Copenhagen Wheel, 2017.png
The Copenhagen Wheel converted bicycles into e-bikes. It replaced the existing rear wheel. The Copenhagen Wheel contained a custom brushless motor, advanced sensors, control systems, and a lithium-ion battery, all contained within the hub of a single rear bicycle wheel. Combining actual torque, power, cadence, pedal position, and acceleration sensing with high-speed controllers and actuators, the Wheel generated power that seamlessly synchronized with a rider's pedalling.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
Bluetooth connectivity enabled riders to personalize their cycling experience from their smartphone. A self-diagnostic safety system (VIS) monitored components and proactively responded to events within milliseconds, protecting both rider and Wheel.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
The Copenhagen Wheel is no longer available for sale.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
The company no longer responds to emailed requests for assistance, and login to utilize the wheel via the app no longer functions, stranding purchasers with a non-functioning wheel.
= LINK =
File:Superpedestrian Link scooters, 2021.jpg.]]
LINK is a shared electric scooter designed, engineered, manufactured and operated by Superpedestrian.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
During prototype road-testing, it was called "the Volvo of e-scooters"{{Cite web|author=Scott Kirsner|date=July 8, 2019|title=This could be the Volvo of e-scooters |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/07/08/this-could-volvo-scooters/AdQxGQQna4LCeKmfBd2AOO/story.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=The Boston Globe|language=en-US}} for its robust build quality.
The LINK scooter features an operating system that can be updated wirelessly, over-the-air. The second version of the operating system was released in March 2021 and is called "Briggs".{{Cite web|title=Superpedestrian positions itself as the go-to partner for cities with new e-scooter safety upgrades – TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/19/superpedestrian-positions-itself-as-the-go-to-partner-for-cities-with-new-e-scooter-safety-upgrades/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=TechCrunch|date=19 March 2021 }}
On board the scooter, VIS runs 1,000 health checks every second during rides{{Cite web|title=Superpedestrian positions itself as the go-to partner for cities with new e-scooter safety upgrades – TechCrunch|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/19/superpedestrian-positions-itself-as-the-go-to-partner-for-cities-with-new-e-scooter-safety-upgrades/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=techcrunch|date=19 March 2021 }} and monitors 140 safety-critical conditions.{{Cite journal|last1=LU|first1=Shiang-Lin|last2=MATSUMI|first2=Ryosuke|last3=SHINO|first3=Motoki|date=2019|title=Study of Automated Driving System for Mobility Scooter Based on Traveling Possibility Judgements by Onboard Sensors Information|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1299/jsmetld.2019.28.2016|journal=The Proceedings of the Transportation and Logistics Conference|volume=2019|issue=28|pages=2016|doi=10.1299/jsmetld.2019.28.2016|s2cid=226879517 |issn=2424-3175|url-access=subscription}} VIS also allows the scooter to enforce onboard geofence commands in 0.7s.
LINK has a 61-mile battery range.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
According to Superpedestrian's VP (EMEA), Haya Verwoord Douidi, the LINK scooter cost $75 million in R&D.
Scooter sharing
In June 2020, Zagster was bought by Superpedestrian to create an in-house shared mobility division{{Cite web|last=Kanige|first=Jeffrey|date=2020-06-04|title=Edison-backed Zagster sold to Superpedestrian|url=https://njbiz.com/edison-backed-zagster-sold-superpedestrian-embargoed/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=NJBIZ|language=en-US}} using LINK scooters.
Superpedestrian beat Bird in a competitive tender process in September 2020 to offer e-scooters in Seattle, US.{{Cite magazine|last=Seabrook|first=John|title=The E-Scooters Loved by Silicon Valley Roll Into New York|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/04/26/the-e-scooters-loved-by-silicon-valley-roll-into-new-york|access-date=2021-05-14|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en-US}}
By April 2021, the company was operating shared e-scooters in 21 cities and announced plans to begin e-scooter sharing services in Ireland.{{Cite web|title=Citi-backed e-scooter firm plans Irish launch|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/citi-backed-e-scooter-firm-plans-irish-launch-40269525.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=independent|date=4 April 2021 |language=en}}
In May 2021, LINK scooters were available in 30 cities in the US, Spain, Italy and Austria.
Superpedestrian partnered with ACI in May 2021 to launch a safety course for e-scooter riders in Italy.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-14|title=Superpedestrian partners with ACI to launch e-scooter training course|url=https://mindthezag.com/trends/superpedestrian-partners-with-aci-to-launch-e-scooter-training-course/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=Zag|language=en-US}}
In December 2021, Superpedestrian acquired the UK subsidiary of Wind Mobility,{{Cite web|last=Zagnat|first=Olimpia|date=2021-12-14|title=Big changes to city's e-scooters to address concerns|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/big-changes-nottinghams-e-scooters-6348451|access-date=2022-02-03|website=NottinghamshireLive|language=en}} which operates the e-scooter trial zone in Nottingham. The company then replaced the scooter fleet with its proprietary model.
Silicon Republic reported in February 2022 that Superpedestrian was operating shared mobility fleets in 57 cities in the US and Europe.
Labor
Superpedestrian states that it has never used gig workers in its history, in contrast to the early shared e-scooter sector.
Paul Steely White, a long-time active travel advocate in New York City, is Public Affairs Director at Superpedestrian.
Haya Verwoord Douidri left Bird to join Superpedestrian on 1 July 2020, heading up the company's scooter expansion in Europe.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-25|title=Haya Verwoord Douidri wants to change the world|url=https://mindthezag.com/people/haya-verwoord-douidri-wants-to-change-the-world/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=Zag|language=en-US}}
Funding
In December 2020, the company secured $60 million{{Cite news|last=Berger|first=Paul|date=2020-12-21|title=Superpedestrian Gets $60 Million Funding Boost in New York Push|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/superpedestrian-gets-60-million-funding-boost-in-new-york-push-11608552009|access-date=2021-05-14|issn=0099-9660}} in funding to scale-up e-scooter sharing fleets. Investors included Citi Impact Fund.
In February 2022, the Boston Globe revealed that Superpedestrian had secured new investment of $125 million.{{Cite web|author=Aaron Pressman |date=February 1, 2022 |title=MIT startup gets more backing for smarter electric scooters|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/01/business/mit-startup-gets-more-backing-smarter-electric-scooters/|access-date=2022-02-03|website=The Boston Globe|language=en-US}} Investors included the Sony Investment Fund.
In December 2023 TechCrunch reported that the business would close by December 31, 2023, with all scooters recalled into warehousing.[https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/15/scooter-startup-superpedestrian-shutting-down-us-operations-explores-sale-of-europe-business/?guccounter=1 Scooter startup Superpedestrian shutting down US operations, exploring sale of Europe business] TechCrunch, December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023[https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/disappearance-nottinghams-nuisance-e-scooters-8999512 Disappearance of city's 'nuisance' e-scooters welcomed by residents] Nottinghamshire Live, December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023
Awards
- European Product Design Awards – Platinum – Urban Sustainable Design 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.productdesignaward.eu/winners/epd/2017/8559/|title=The Copenhagen Wheel|website=www.productdesignaward.eu|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- European Product Design Awards – Gold – Bicycling and Bicycle Accessories 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.productdesignaward.eu/winners/epd/2017/8931/|title=The Copenhagen Wheel|website=www.productdesignaward.eu|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- European Product Design Awards – Gold – Design for Sustainability 2017{{Cite web| url=https://www.productdesignaward.eu/winners/epd/2017/8729/|title=The Copenhagen Wheel |website=www.productdesignaward.eu|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- European Product Design Awards – Silver – Robotics 2017
- CNBC – Top 25 Startup 2017{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/28/upstart-25-superpedestrian.html |title=7. Superpedestrian: High-efficiency bicycle wheels for urban commuters| author=|date=2017-02-28|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- TIME Magazine - Best Tech of 2017{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4798400/best-technology-2017-so-far/|title=These Are the Best New Gadgets of 2017 So Far|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Red Dot: Design Concept Awards – Luminary 2014{{Cite web|url=http://www.red-dot.sg/en/the-copenhagen-wheel/|title=Red Dot Design Award for Design Concepts|website=Red Dot Design Award|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Red Dot: Design Concept Awards – “Best of the Best” 2014
- TIME Magazine – The 25 Best Inventions of 2014{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3594971/the-25-best-inventions-of-2014/|title=These Are the 25 Best Inventions of 2014|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Deutscher Werkbund Label – Werkbund Label for design 2014{{Cite web|url=http://copenhagenwheel.tumblr.com/post/100160360749/awarded-the-werkbund-label-for-the-copenhagen-wheel-s-de|title=The Copenhagen Wheel|website=The Copenhagen Wheel|language=en|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Green Dot Awards – Winner 2011{{Cite web|url=http://greendotawards.com/|title=Green Dot Awards {{!}} Environment Awards|website=Green Dot Awards|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Living Labs Global Awards – Shortlisted 2011{{Cite news|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8226468.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327084541/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/3/prweb8226468.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 27, 2011|title=Farglory Nominates Five Technologies for its new Smart Communities in Taipei|work=PRWeb|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- Index Award – Finalist 2011{{Cite news|url=https://designtoimprovelife.dk/finalist2011-28/|title=The Copenhagen Wheel - INDEX: Design to Improve Life®|date=2011-05-25|work=INDEX: Design to Improve Life®|access-date=2018-08-01|language=en-US}}
- Edison Awards – Silver in Personal Transportation – 2011{{Cite news|url=http://www.edisonawards.com/winners2011.php|title=Edison Awards™ - Honoring the Best in Innovation and Innovators|access-date=2018-08-01}}
- U.S. James Dyson Award – Winner – 2010{{Cite news|url=https://design-milk.com/james-dyson-award-competition-us-winner/|title=2010 James Dyson Award Competition US Winner - Design Milk|date=2010-08-16|work=Design Milk|access-date=2018-08-01|language=en-US}}
- World Technology Summit and Awards – Winner – 2011
- The Grand Challenge Stories Award of the US National Academy of Engineers – Winner – 2010
See also
{{Portal|Companies|Sports|Transport}}
{{Insolvent EV companies}}
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite web |website=CNBC | title=CNBC: Upstart 25: Superpedestrian| date=28 February 2017|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/28/upstart-25-superpedestrian.html|access-date=6 October 2017}}
{{cite web |website=Bloomberg | title=Bloomberg: Company Overview of Superpedestrian Inc.|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=248640771|access-date=10 October 2017}}
}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://content.superpedestrian.com/}}
Category:Electric cycle manufacturers
Category:Cycle manufacturers of the United States
Category:Manufacturing companies based in Massachusetts
Category:Companies based in Cambridge, Massachusetts