Munich. BMW Group is providing fresh impetus with two
innovative micromobility concepts for emission-free urban mobility,
intelligently rethought for increased sustainability in urban traffic.
These concepts are being implemented in collaboration with partner
companies CUBE and SoFlow. Official communication of the licenses
awarded by the BMW Group to the two partners will be made during
Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) Mobility 2021, which takes
place from 7th to 12th September in Munich.
The CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo inspired by BMW is a compact,
three-wheeled cargo bike concept that combines high agility with
flexible usage options and increased year-round suitability. It also
boasts a variable-use loading platform with innovative attachments for
transporting loads and/or children as well as for leisure activities.
The SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW features an
ergonomic design suitable for everyday use, excellent riding stability
and extremely compact size when packed up. It provides a new
mixed-mobility option; the innovative ‘public transport mode’ makes it
easy to incorporate travel on public transport into longer journeys.
Ideal for park ride, the minimal size when packed makes it ideal
for carrying in the car boot.
In its role as a premium provider for individual mobility, BMW Group
is actively helping to create the liveable city of the future. Its
approach to mobility also looks beyond the company’s core business.
The BMW Group has presented a number of innovative micromobility
solutions to the public in the past.
The CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo inspired by BMW:
the ideal combination of cycling pleasure, agility and safety.
The CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo inspired by BMW is the first dynamic
‘pick-up’ cargo bike concept. The key component of the three-wheeled
vehicle is the front main frame, which is connected to the rear
section via a pivot axle and tilts in corners. It remains stable
through all corners without tilting towards the road. This combines
with the electrified powertrain – which is activated as soon as the
rider starts to pedal and drives the two rear wheels – making the
cargo bike just as easy to ride as a standard bicycle. As well as
producing far greater riding stability in all weather conditions
compared to two-wheeler designs, the rear wheels with their rigid,
non-pivoting axle mounting also provide the basis for a versatile,
pick-up-style transport platform. This can be fitted with a selection
of innovative modular attachments for carrying luggage and/or
children. The modular design principle paves the way for many more use
cases, too. The non-pivoting design of the transport platform has the
additional benefit that the rider is barely aware of any extra weight
being carried, enabling safe, stable transportation of all loads.
Andreas Foti, CUBE CEO:
“The mobility of the future is one of the key challenges of our
time. The e-bike is one of just a few potential solutions to have
established themselves. We want to be actively involved in designing
and implementing new mobility solutions. Inspired by the idea from
BMW, we have put all our know-how into the development of a cargo bike
that is suitable for series production. We have created an
ultra-compact, agile and safe trike that can be used and enjoyed by
anyone. The electrical support enables flexible usage, even outside
urban spaces, while the compact design is light and easy to manoeuvre.
The flexible transport options also make it possible to transport
almost anything.”
The SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW:
flexible e-scooter for multimodal mobility.
With the SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW, the BMW Group
is now presenting an e-scooter concept that folds easily for carrying
on public transport and/or by car without compromising riding
stability in any way.
In ‘public transport mode’, the footboard folds up at the sides and
the rear wheel pivots into the resulting aperture from below. This
mechanism shortens the wheelbase of the e-scooter substantially so
that it can even be carried on an escalator without difficulty. This
is an important requirement if the journey includes underground
transport routes.
It can also be rolled along on both wheels in this mode, rather like
a trolley case. And the front wheel’s integral hub motor provides an
electric impulse that makes it easier to push the SoFlow Concept
CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW up ramps in this mode. The compact
dimensions of the e-scooter when folded up means that it should be
possible to take it on all forms of public transport free of charge.
The SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE inspired by BMW can be folded up to
a size that fits easily into small vehicle boots, with larger boots
able to accommodate several of them for family outings. In the BMW
Group range, this means that the SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE
inspired by BMW fits into luggage compartments lengthways from the 3
Series upwards, for example, without any need to fold down the rear
backrest, and it can be carried crossways in MINI boots.
With its unique product characteristics, the SoFlow Concept CLEVER
COMMUTE inspired by BMW is a versatile companion in the city and
allows any journey to be completed quickly, safely and easily. Its
transformability makes it a truly ideal solution for multimodal travel.
Manuel Hug, Co-founder and CEO of SoFlow AG:
“The renewed collaboration with the BMW Group represents an
outstanding chapter in the SoFlow success story, as we have already
received the license to use the BMW ‘Personal Mover’ concept. Now we
can bring our expertise to bear for the latest development in the area
of micro e-mobility vehicles, the SoFlow Concept CLEVER COMMUTE
inspired by BMW. We are looking forward to getting this innovative
concept on the road soon.”
Jochen
Karg,
Head of Vehicle Concepts in the BMW Group’s New Technologies
and China division
: “In its role as a premium provider for individual
mobility, the BMW Group is actively helping to create the liveable
city of the future. With regard to the steady increase in traffic
density in city centres, concepts for micromobility vehicle can make a
significant contribution to improving the interconnectedness of urban
mobility. That is why we are deliberately looking beyond our company’s
core business. The BMW Group has already presented innovative
micromobility solutions to the public in the past, including the BMW
Motorrad X2City, the Personal Mover Concept and the BMW Vision E³ Way
elevated road concept. With the Concept Dynamic Cargo and the Concept
CLEVER COMMUTE, our engineers are once again demonstrating their
ability to transfer know-how from the automotive sector to concepts
for micromobility vehicles. With regard to vehicles/concepts outside
of our core business, awarding licenses to partners from the relevant
industry to drive implementation has thus far proved to be most
efficient and an attractive option for both parties. We are therefore
delighted to have concluded contracts with CUBE and SoFlow.”
Both concepts will be presented in a functional state during IAA
Mobility 2021, which is taking place at the company’s headquarters in
Munich for the first time. Visitors will be able to see the CUBE
Concept Dynamic Cargo inspired by BMW being driven along the
streetscape and it will also be presented at various BMW IAA locations:
– At the BMW Group ‘Summit’ stand at the Munich exhibition centre.
– In the heart of the city, in the BMW ‘Open Space’ at the
Bavarian State Opera House, Max-Joseph-Platz.
– In and around BMW Welt.
Testing opportunities for media representatives.
On 7th September, media representatives will have the
exclusive opportunity to take the CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo
inspired by BMW for an active test ride and receive more
information. The vehicles will be issued at the BMW Welt
Double Cone (Am Olympiapark 1, Munich), between 08:30 and 18:00. No
advance registration is required.
In addition to this exclusive media event, it will also be possible
for media representatives to test the CUBE Concept Dynamic Cargo
inspired by BMW during the rest of the exhibition week. This is
possible from Tuesday 7th September to Sunday 12th September at BMW
Welt, and also at the BMW ‘Open Space’ at Max-Joseph-Platz. Please
register directly with CUBE staff at those locations.
CUBE Bikes
CUBE was founded in 1993 by Marcus Pürner in Waldershof, in the
Fichtel Mountains of Germany, and remains an owner-operated company to
this day. CUBE has stayed loyal to its original location, keeping pace
with continuous growth in more than 60 countries by adding over 1000
members of staff to become an important regional employer.
From getting the pedals moving on the way to work in the morning, to
a smile peeping out from beneath the helmet on the way home, or the
beads of sweat during competition: we make bikes that embody pure
cycling pleasure and allow us to look beyond the horizon – and we love
riding them too. We are convinced that bicycles can provide a solution
to some of the world’s more complex problems – from
environmentally-friendly traffic to more flexible, safer mobility for
all – and our portfolio now boasts over 350 models.
New ideas keep the world moving, so we never stop working on
ourselves and on developing the perfect bike. Driven by the aspiration
to get the maximum out of every bike, our development team is
constantly investigating how to improve materials and constructions
and optimise production processes. Smart innovations, ingenious
technology, optimal material composition, combined with creative
applications that suit the intended purpose – we put our heart, soul
and know-how into every bike. Aero-optimised bikes for the Tour de
France, gravity bikes for the DH-Worldcup, light bikes for young
riders, everyday bikes, touring bikes or new mobility solutions for
urban spaces, we focus on all types of mobility on two wheels.
Alongside virtually all product types in the e-bike and bike areas, we
also offer a comprehensive collection of apparel and accessories.
SoFlow
SoFlow AG was founded in Switzerland in 2015, to provide mobility
solutions for the ‘last mile’. The company designs, develops and
produces high-quality, innovative micro e-mobility vehicles such as
e-scooters and e-boards for a range of applications. SoFlow has the
vision of making e-mobility products accessible to all, providing
everyone with the opportunity to choose a means of transportation that
matches their lifestyle and allows them to get from A to B. They can
contribute to protecting the environment with emission-free vehicles
at the same time.