Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi unveiled its smart e-bike in Beijing on Thursday. The e-bike is distinguished by its high-speed motor, hidden battery and speed changer.
The foldable e-bike weighs 13.5kg. It has a 250W high-speed motor, Shimano speed changer, and a trip computer. It uses a 2900mAh Panasonic battery which is well hidden inside the bike. Xiaomi claims the battery can ensure a 40km to 50km travel distance per charge. It also has adopted a Torque Measurement Method technology, where the e-bike can add impetus to the rider’s pedalling that corresponds to the amount of effort that that is expended by the rider.
This smart e-bike is manufactured by a MIJIA member company called QiCYCLE. MIJIA is a brand owned by Xiaomi; often it is used to distinguish Xiaomi products that are manufactured by third parties. Member companies manufacture a variety of Xiaomi products, including air purifiers, power banks, rice cookers, and Mi Bands, as well as the Xiaomi drone that was launched in May.
Many analysts say that the global smartphone market has been gradually approaching saturation point throughout 2016. According to a report by American market research firm IDC in April, Xiaomi dropped off the top five smartphone vendors list in terms of shipments made in Q1 2016.
That may be one of the reasons why Xiaomi is putting more and more effort into MIJIA.
The QiCYCLE smart e-bike is priced at RMB 2,999 (USD 456). Crowdfunding begun at four o’clock on Thursday afternoon, and the crowdfunding goal of 200 e-bikes was realized within one hour. The e-bikes are expected to be released on July 28.
(Photos from MIJIA’s Sina Weibo)