First eScooter sharing system in Vietnam piloted

The system is the result of a joint project between Bosch in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HCMUT), Danang University of Science and Technology (DUT), and Vietnamese-German University (VGU). Students working in this project are winners of the Green Challenge contest which was co-organised by Bosch in Vietnam and the above mentioned universities in 2015. The best ideas from the contest were then put into implementation from the beginning of 2016. 

Bosch sponsored more than VND4 billion (about $182,000) for this pilot project. The next two systems will be launched in December 2016 at VGU in Binh Duong, and DUT in Danang, respectively. In this pilot project, students of the three universities can use 18 eScooters free of charge within their campuses, after registering online.

The system offers a smart and eco-friendly alternative to commuting for end users. “We believe that research and development will help enhance the competitiveness and build a knowledge economy in Vietnam,” said Vo Quang-Hue, managing director at Bosch Vietnam. 

Through this project, Bosch wants to initiate stronger cooperation and collaboration between businesses and academia to boost research and development activities. Vo Quang-Hue added that this system, if properly implemented in large cities, will help solve challenges in public transportation and in environmental protection. Furthermore, the system will be one of the solutions for building up smart cities.

To use the service, users create an account at http://bosch-green-challenge.com.vn/ and login to locate the station and book an eScooter. 

They will then be provided with a code and a control card to activate an eScooter at the chosen docking station. This control card is used as a key for the eScooter, locking, unlocking, and opening the helmet box under the seat. 

All eScooters are electrically charged at the charging stations which are using solar energy thanks to the solar panels on their roof. A fully-charged eScooter can travel up to 80 kilometres, at the maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour. People aged 18 and above with a motorcycle driving license can use these eScooters.