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David Renno
David Renno
Senior Manager of Business Development
Published: September 13, 2024

Locationing 2.0: Connected E-Bikes, a Safer, Convenient and More Secure Way to Ride

As cities across the globe embrace e-bikes for their convenience and sustainability, the rapid rise in theft has become a pressing issue. With the value and portability of e-bikes making them easy targets, manufacturers are turning to cutting-edge technologies to offer reliable, real-time tracking solutions. Enter Locationing 2.0 — an advanced, connectivity-driven system that ensures e-bikes stay safe, locatable, and efficiently managed.

Locationing 2.0 leverages wireless technology with Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) to provide continuous, real-time tracking of e-bikes. These solutions enhance security against theft, streamline fleet management, and ensure users can quickly locate available e-bikes. Beyond just e-bikes, Locationing 2.0 offers tremendous value across industries, from logistics and transportation to hospitality and healthcare. Whether tracking shared-use e-bikes in a busy city center or pallets in a warehouse, this technology supports a broad range of applications.

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E-bike with Bluetooth Low Energy and NFC

How Renesas is Leading with Locationing 2.0 Solutions

Renesas offers a suite of connectivity products optimized for Locationing 2.0, including Crowd-Sourced Locationing (CSL), ATLAS (Asset Tracking and Locationing At Scale), and WiRa™ (Wireless Ranging) systems. The Bluetooth LE chips—such as the DA1453x, DA14592, and DA1469x — are known for their low power consumption, long-range capabilities, and cost-effective design, making them ideal for e-bike tracking systems. These chips ensure real-time tracking accuracy while minimizing power consumption — critical for extending the battery life of e-bikes.

Renesas’ NFC reader solutions, including the PTX105R, further enhance e-bike functionality, enabling secure wireless authentication and seamless access control. For example, users can unlock bikes or charge them securely using NFC technology. Additionally, Renesas' PTX130W and PTX30W NFC solutions enable wireless charging for battery-less subsystems, further streamlining e-bike design by removing the need for wired charging.

A particularly innovative feature of Renesas’ technology is Crowd-Sourced Locationing (CSL). For example, e-bike manufacturers can leverage this to allow users to locate both their e-bike and its battery. In shared-use e-bike schemes common in metropolitan areas, CSL automates the tracking and mapping of e-bikes, helping operators provide real-time information to users about the availability and location of nearby e-bikes. As a result, users can easily locate available e-bikes, improving the overall service experience. Support for Apple FindMy, Android Find My Device, and proprietary apps ensures widespread compatibility for locating lost or stolen bikes and batteries.

Expanded Capabilities with Bluetooth LE and NFC

Renesas’ solutions go beyond just tracking. The integration of Bluetooth LE, enabled by products like the DA1453x (TINY™ family), allows for remote control functionalities, enabling a seamless connection to user remotes that are easily accessible to riders. These remotes can display ride metrics, notifications, and other real-time data from the rider’s smartphone.

For added security and convenience, Renesas’ NFC and Bluetooth LE solutions enable secure access control features such as:

  • E-bike unlocking and user identification via smartphone or NFC token (supported by PTX105R NFC Reader)
  • Automatic lock activation when the user walks away, using Bluetooth LE proximity detection (enabled by DA1453x and DA1469x chips)
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) combining Bluetooth LE and NFC to strengthen security
  • Support for passive card/token use for access without needing a smartphone

These features ensure that e-bike users not only enjoy the benefits of location tracking but also a highly secure and convenient riding experience.

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E-bike Block Diagram

The Importance of Accuracy in Locationing

One of the critical components of Locationing 2.0 is ensuring adequate accuracy for specific applications. The required level of accuracy can vary widely based on the use case. For an e-bike tracked through services like Google Find My Device or Apple Find My services, accuracy within a few meters is sufficient because an e-bike is large and easy to spot. However, in other environments—such as crowded public spaces or restaurants—more precise locationing may be needed, requiring accuracy down to ±50cm.

Renesas' locationing solutions are designed to meet these varying needs, providing flexible, scalable options for e-bike manufacturers. The DA14592 Bluetooth LE chip, with its lowest power consumption and extended communication range, supports applications that require highly accurate locationing. As this technology evolves, future applications may extend beyond e-bikes to other types of valuable assets, such as automobiles or even personal items, enhancing theft deterrence and asset management across industries.

Broader Applications and Future Trends

The value of Locationing 2.0 is not limited to e-bikes. This technology is already being deployed across a wide range of industries, including logistics, factory automation, construction, and healthcare. Its ability to track high-value assets, from medical equipment in hospitals to staff or customers in hospitality environments, demonstrates the vast potential of Locationing 2.0 to improve operational efficiency and enhance security. With CSL expected to be integrated into future products like car keys or other personal devices, the possibilities for this technology are expanding rapidly.

As Locationing 2.0 becomes more integral to e-bike security and management, Renesas is leading the way with its advanced connectivity solutions. By integrating these cutting-edge technologies, e-bike manufacturers can provide a secure and efficient service that enhances user experience, optimizes asset management, and ensures urban mobility continues to evolve.

For a deeper dive into Locationing 2.0 and its applications across industries, including more technical insights on e-bike tracking, download our comprehensive white paper.

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