Tag: micromobility

Press Release
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Aug 5, 2022

LOS ANGELES, August 5, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Superpedestrian is introducing its seated e-scooters in Venice Beach this week. Starting today, the micromobility provider will operate seated scooters alongside its conventional stand-up scooters, giving a more diverse range of riders a comfortable way to make last-mile trips. 

There’s no additional cost and riders don’t need to pre-book. The seated scooters can be unlocked using the Superpedestrian app, which distinguishes them on its map. 

Superpedestrian prioritizes the development of scooters that feel safe and comfortable for all. With autonomous safety features, a longer wheelbase and sturdier construction, Superpedestrian already makes the safest easiest-to-ride standard e-scooter. Now, with this newest seated model, Superpedestrian is taking the lead with vehicles that suit a more diverse range of riders, including people with disabilities, older riders and many novice riders.

“We want to be a company that serves everyone. With our seated scooter, we can open up the benefits of micromobility to a new world of riders,” said Jacob Mandel, Policy Manager at Superpedestrian. “In other cities, our seated scooters have proven very popular, especially for longer trips. We’ve also learned they make for an easier commute without having to pack sneakers.”

The new seated Superpedestrian model features:

• An adjustable seat easily raised or lowered (7-inch range) to accommodate riders of varying heights
• Special recognition on the Superpedestrian app, so riders can locate a seated scooter nearby
• Durable, quality engineering ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride

Superpedestrian is rolling out 50 of the seated scooters in Venice Beach and plans to offer more across Los Angeles in the upcoming months. Even though the company will be staging the seated scooters exclusively in Venice Beach, riders can start their trip in Venice Beach and end their trip anywhere in the Los Angeles service area.

To ride a Superpedestrian scooter, download the Superpedestrian mobile app from your iOS or Android app store. Locate a scooter via the app. Be sure the throttle LED is GREEN, meaning the scooter is available to rent. Scan the scooter’s QR code located on the handlebars via the Superpedestrian app to unlock. Wait for the throttle LED to turn WHITE, indicating the scooter is ready to ride.    

About Superpedestrian: Superpedestrian was spun out of MIT in 2013 with the mission to develop the world’s smartest and safest light electric vehicles. In 2020, Superpedestrian debuted the LINK Scooter, heralded as “The Volvo of e-Scooters” for its patented Vehicle Intelligence platform that actively prevents costly mechanical and electrical hazards that beset other e-scooter operators. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Transportation Companies of 2022, Superpedestrian is a world-leader in transportation robotics and human-scale mobility, holding over 40 patents in autonomous failure protection for vehicles, automated maintenance software, fleet optimization, and vehicle context awareness.

Superpedestrian press kit
 

CONTACT: Jamie Perkins | 970-222-7587

jamie.perkins@superpedestrian.com 

Source: Superpedestrian

Press Release
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Apr 19, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 19, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Today, Superpedestrian, the MIT-spinoff engineering firm behind the world’s safest and smartest e-scooters, in partnership with the Cities Today Institute, a peer-to-peer network for urban mobility and innovation leaders, released a report on how e-scooters can better integrate with public transportation systems all over the world. The report brings together government, system operator and NGO experts to identify new and existing solutions like mobility hubs that put different transportation options at the same locations, fare integration across modes to lower trip costs, and equity programs that expand access.

Since 2017, trends have shifted dramatically in how riders use scooters to get to their next destination. While e-scooters were initially a small niche in the transportation market, they have now become an integral part of how millions of people get around. In recent findings, Superpedestrian reported that two-thirds of its e-scooter trips were not related to tourism or recreational use, but for commuting to work, to school and other daily necessities. In Lisbon, 23 percent of Superpedestrian’s e-scooter trips averted a car journey, while in San Diego, that figure is 32 percent.

To increase the use of micromobility to reduce car trips and expand transportation access, the new report examines cities as diverse as Pittsburgh and Madrid for solutions. The report urges cities to consider:

• Establishing intermodal transportation hubs, modeled on Move PGH in Pittsburgh, by installing e-scooter parking at important public transit stops, giving riders a wider set of options all in one place.
• Integrating micromobility fare systems with public transit fares to lower costs for riders
• Improving on-the-ground information and integrated trip planning features to make intermodal trips easier to identify and plan 
• Expanding equity programs in micromobility, which have the highest rates of public transit integration. Superpedestrian’s LINK-Up and LINK Serv riders, which serve veterans and riders on public assistance, are over 10 times more likely to use scooters to connect to a transit stop than other destinations.
• Deploying e-scooters to fill overnight gaps in public transit. Superpedestrian e-scooters are available 24 hours a day in most of its cities. This service is valuable to riders who work night shifts or leave for work early in the morning, guaranteeing that riders always have an option to get to work and return home.

“Micromobility is real transportation. Based on evidence in our cities across the globe, we know that when micromobility and public transit are more seamlessly connected, they offer a more compelling alternative to private car use. At Superpedestrian, we’re looking to deepen that integration to not only increase the use of shared e-scooters, but to increase the accessibility of public transit as well,” said Paul White, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Superpedestrian.

“It’s a great pleasure for CTI to be able to synthesize public and private sector expertise as a tool to make 21st Century Communities work for 21st Century Citizens. Our goal is to integrate affordable and accessible transportation solutions to make cities work better,” said Bob Bennett, Chair of the Cities Today Institute. “The Cities Today Institute is proud to have worked with many of our community members and the Superpedestrian team to look in depth at how cities are implementing e-scooter policy.” 

About Superpedestrian: Superpedestrian was spun out of MIT in 2013 with the mission to develop the world’s smartest and safest light electric vehicle fleets. In 2020, Superpedestrian debuted the LINK Scooter, heralded as “The Volvo of e-Scooters” for its patented Vehicle Intelligence platform that actively prevents costly mechanical and electrical hazards that beset other e-scooter operators. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Transportation Companies of 2022, Superpedestrian has become a world-leader in transportation robotics and human-scale mobility, holding over 40 patents in autonomous failure protection for vehicles, automated maintenance software, fleet optimization, and vehicle context awareness.  

Hi-resolution photos and video are available in Superpedestrian’s press kit.

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CONTACT: Julie Falvo (Rubenstein); jfalvo@rubenstein.com; (908) 635-6695 

Source: Superpedestrian

Press Release
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Mar 8, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 8, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Superpedestrian has just been named to Fast Company‘s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. The distinction comes just weeks after the pioneering transportation robotics company announced a major $125 million fundraise to expand micromobility service, R&D and bring its new Pedestrian Defense safety system to cities across the U.S. and Europe.

This year, Fast Company singled out businesses that are making the biggest impact on their industries and culture as a whole — ultimately thriving in today’s ever-changing world. Superpedestrian ranked #6 in the transportation sector and is the only micromobility company recognized on the prestigious list.

Superpedestrian was chosen for its industry-leading technology, and also its wider impact pushing the entire micromobility sector to become safer and more collaborative with cities. Superpedestrian’s Vehicle Intelligence and safety systems are now getting the attention of major companies across the wider transportation and delivery sectors that recognize them as a tool for safer, more efficient electric vehicle fleet management.

“Patience pays off. We spent nearly nine years developing a unique software platform that addresses the core challenges of electric vehicle fleets. Now, we’re fueling a sea change in safety not only among e-scooter providers but potentially across the entire transportation sector. That’s the kind of innovation we care about at Superpedestrian,” said Assaf Biderman, founder and CEO of Superpedestrian.

Fast Company‘s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company‘s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“The world’s most innovative companies play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society, whether they’re fighting climate change by spurring decarbonization efforts, ameliorating the strain on supply chains or helping us reconnect with one another over shared passions,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky.

For the second year in a row, to coincide with the issue launch, Fast Company will host its Most Innovative Companies Summit on April 26-27. The virtual, multiday summit celebrates the Most Innovative Companies in business and provides an early look at major business trends and an inside look at what it takes to innovate in 2022. Fast Company‘s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2022) is available online here, as well as in-app form via iTunes, and on newsstands beginning March 15. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.

ABOUT SUPERPEDESTRIAN

Superpedestrian was spun out of MIT in 2013 with the mission to develop the world’s smartest and safest light electric vehicle fleets. In 2020, Superpedestrian debuted the LINK Scooter, heralded as “The Volvo of e-Scooters” for its patented Vehicle Intelligence platform that actively prevents costly mechanical and electrical hazards that beset other e-scooter operators. Superpedestrian has become a world leader in transportation robotics and human-scale mobility, holding over 40 patents in autonomous failure protection for vehicles, automated maintenance software, fleet optimization, and vehicle context awareness.

Hi-resolution photos and video of Pedestrian Defense sidewalk-riding prevention in action are available in Superpedestrian’s press kit.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

CONTACT: Wiley Norvell (Rubenstein); wnorvell@rubenstein.com; (646) 422-9614 

Source: Superpedestrian

Press Release
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Feb 1, 2022

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., February 1, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Superpedestrian, the pioneering transportation robotics company, today announced its largest-ever funding round, closing $125 million in debt and equity capital. The latest investment comes from Jefferies, Antara Capital, the Sony Innovation Fund by IGV* and FM Capital alongside existing backers like Spark Capital, General Catalyst and Citi via the Citi Impact Fund.

The new funding will be used to expand the LINK shared e-scooter service, boost the company’s advanced R&D programs, and deploy scooters with Superpedestrian’s new Pedestrian Defense safety system in the first 25 cities across the US and Europe during 2022. The AI-based software fuses data from multiple vehicle sensors and integrates them with the scooter’s on-board Vehicle Intelligence to take real-time action on the scooter.

Pedestrian Defense exceeds all other safety platforms in 3 key ways. It can: 

• More precisely detect vehicle position even in urban canyons where GPS has high inaccuracy
• Detect a much wider array of unsafe riding behavior than any competitor, including sidewalk riding, stunt riding, aggressive swerving and “salmoning” against traffic
• Intervene automatically to slow or stop a scooter in real time when unsafe behavior like riding on a sidewalk is detected

Following successful field tests of Pedestrian Defense in recent months, the system will now be integrated into Superpedestrian’s technologically advanced LINK e-scooter fleet, which has launched in 57 cities logging tens of millions of miles.

“Over the past 9 years, we have developed a unique software platform that addresses the core challenges of electric vehicle fleets. From predictive-maintenance and repair automation, to fine-grain locationing and curb management, our platform is rich with advanced capabilities that enable safer and more reliable transportation solutions,” said Assaf Biderman, founder and CEO of Superpedestrian. “With this latest funding round, we are boosting our investment in R&D and scaling up our deployments in micromobility and beyond.”

“Superpedestrian brings together best-in class vehicles, an advanced software platform, and efficient fleet operations, enabling them to safely integrate small electric vehicles into crowded city streets,” said Gen Tsuchikawa, Chief Investment Manager for Sony Innovation Fund (SIF) and CEO and Chief Investment Officer for Innovation Growth Ventures (IGV). “With an experienced executive team and strong operations in a variety of markets and geographies around the world, we are pleased to welcome Superpedestrian to IGV’s growing portfolio of promising mobility-focused startups.”

“In the last two years, infrastructure challenges and lack of equitable access to transit options in both urban and suburban communities across the U.S. have underscored the need for developing safe, reliable transportation options for all,” said Meredith Shields, Head of Citi Impact Fund, Citi. “Superpedestrian is doing just that by developing innovative, sustainable technology that reimagines the future of cities through improved connectivity. We’re proud to use our capital to help scale their impact and build stronger communities in the years to come.”

Superpedestrian was spun out of MIT in 2013 with the mission to develop the world’s smartest and safest light electric vehicle fleets. In 2020, Superpedestrian debuted the LINK Scooter, heralded as “The Volvo of e-Scooters” for its patented Vehicle Intelligence platform that actively prevents costly mechanical and electrical hazards that beset other e-scooter operators. Superpedestrian has become a world-leader in transportation robotics and human-scale mobility, holding over 40 patents in autonomous failure protection for vehicles, automated maintenance software, fleet optimization, and vehicle context awareness.   

Video: Watch Pedestrian Defense tech automatically stop a scooter riding on a sidewalk

Hi-resolution photos and video of Pedestrian Defense sidewalk riding prevention in action are available in Superpedestrian’s press kit.

*Innovation Growth Ventures Co., Ltd. (IGV) is managed by Sony Innovation Fund and Daiwa Capital Holdings.

CONTACT: Wiley Norvell (Rubenstein); wnorvell@rubenstein.com; (646) 422-9614 

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Source: Superpedestrian