Acer Ebii – The ChatGPT of Electric Bicycles?

The tech company ventures into the booming electric bike sector with a first product whose motor is managed by artificial intelligence. A truly good idea?

The debate is almost philosophical: what distinguishes intelligence from common sense? It’s not just a semantic stance, and the stylistic exercise presented by Acer, the Taiwanese tech giant, is here to prove it. Their commercial argument to carve out a place in the now ultra-competitive – and mature – electric bike market is somewhat tinged with arrogance: their electric assistance will be managed by artificial intelligence. Their expertise in computing apparently enables this on paper.

Small and clever?

Before judging the relevance of the solution to everyday mobility proposed by Acer, let’s detail this Ebii. Its streamlined, even minimalist style, is in line with current trends. The eye is immediately attracted to the front fork with a single arm, then to the front wheel where an electric motor of 250 W power is housed, providing 40 Nm of torque. The small 20-inch wheels also match the needs for compactness and dynamism of urban bikes designed to zigzag through obstacles. However, watch out for comfort… and even more so in the absence of suspension.

At the other end of the aluminum frame with a cubic look, there’s a pedal crankset with a belt drive. Smart choice to avoid derailment issues or grease splatter on pants when it rains. Speaking of rain, the fenders will be absent as standard but available as an option. Another common issue for cyclists: punctures. Here, the Acer Ebii skips inner tubes in its tires, which are padded with a foam called Air Foam. A nice idea, but once again, the real-world effectiveness remains to be tested, as the absence of air and suspension (+ the small wheels) could quickly lead to discomfort in daily use.

Artificial intelligence, but real?

Let’s finish the overview with the battery, the nerve center of the system. Made of lithium-ion and with a capacity of 460 Wh, it is housed under the frame (recharge time: 2.5 hours). It features multicolored LEDs that signal the cyclist on the road and projects a light footprint on the ground to alert motorists about the space to leave when overtaking. Well thought out.

Equipped with all this, the Acer Ebii weighs only 16 kg. A very reasonable weight for an electric bike with assistance regulated up to 25 km/h. For the rest, the Taiwanese company promises a revolution in energy management thanks to its dedicated EbiiAssist app, which adapts to your pedaling style and preferences. Artificial intelligence would learn your habits over time, while also taking into account the characteristics of the route pre-entered in the app. On the handlebars, the cyclist will have nothing to manage: neither speed nor power variation; the computer handles everything.

If the electric range is estimated at 110 km, the manufacturer specifies that it will depend on many parameters. Starting with your body type… Nice! But also your ability to assist the bike physically. If your trip exceeds the remaining battery energy, the app will decide for itself, based on the difficulty of the route (uphill, downhill, etc.), where to deliver assistance. Sounds promising on paper, to be confirmed in a thorough test.

Highly advanced connectivity

Since everything will be managed via your smartphone, the Ebii will be constantly connected to you. Theft alert with notification, automatic unlocking when you are within its immediate perimeter, Bluetooth app, GPS positioning, etc. This extensive centralization of functions might intimidate some consumers who are seeking a certain level of digital detox in cycling.

The Acer Ebii has not yet announced specific prices or release dates. During its presentation, company representatives promised production start in summer 2023 and initial deliveries by the end of the year. The contentious issue: price. It is expected to be around 2500 euros (before government aid), compared to the new market benchmark for ultra-compact city bikes, the Decathlon E Fold 500 foldable model priced at 1099 euros.

Is it truly a sign of intelligence (non-artificial) to venture into such a competitive cycling sector with a product as flamboyant as the Acer Ebii? Challenging conventions is a risk that could pay off. Time will tell. Or not.

Also read: Towards mandatory ABS on electric bikes?