E-Mobility Engineering | September/October 2023 19 informing the user of safety-critical information, in accordance with how the AI has been trained to analyse and prioritise incoming data. “These are not autonomous vehicles, and unlike cars and trucks it makes no sense for full autonomy to be the direction for them to move in,” Lehtimaki comments. “Cars are primarily utilitarian vehicles, used for commuting, shopping and other functions that could be automated. While premium motorcycles can be used to these ends, more often they are ridden for leisure, excitement and experiencing particular routes and scenery. “So, owing to the balancing needed, you’d never want the bike to ride itself. But it definitely makes sense to provide better, sensible default traction modes depending on riding conditions, or at the least intelligent recommendations regarding detection of moisture or gravel under the wheels, or excess temperatures in the powertrain that might benefit from slowing down for a while.” Recommendations are also a central factor in Verge’s third AI goal, which encompasses additional intelligent services that riders might not expect from their motorbike. That means warning about storms on the route ahead, the presence of roadworks or other road conditions, or similar issues of concern that might conflict with the user’s preferred riding style. Each bike will be able to learn its user’s preferences regarding such variables, and hence tailor its recommendations, through previous usage data. “Through AI, the motorbike can know everything about you, and help and guide you appropriately,” Lehtimaki says. “We’re not simply talking about some superficial ChatGPT clone, more an intelligent co-pilot that understands the road and real-world conditions as much as it does the health and performance of the powertrain.” HMI Just as Lehtimaki worked on HMIs in his earliest days with EVs, so the HMI on the Verge has played a large part of his work at the company. In addition to integrating a unique motor, a novel system architecture and powerful computer processors, the bikes also feature a large tablet screen between the handlebars through which the rider can view health and status updates, or select and customise their riding modes. “From the outset, we wanted the motorcycle to feel and behave like a smart device, including of course being updateable over the air,” Lehtimaki notes. “It follows that they’re fully connected vehicles, and might be the first 5G-enabled bikes. “Software updates come almost weekly, with improvements in algorithms for user-related things like estimated charging durations, remaining range based on battery charge and driving conditions, and the riding mode customisation portal, which includes fine details over traction control, acceleration and regeneration curves, and other factors you might not be able to tailor in electric cars. “And although the maintenance requirements are hugely reduced by eliminating the transmission and many other moving parts, we’ve also focused on diagnostics. That allows users to decide through the HMI if they’re happy with us receiving their performance data to provide accurate remote diagnostics.” Production Verge’s initial manufacturing began in late 2022, although it has approached production cautiously. “Many companies before us have managed to design, engineer, prototype and homologate their motorcycle, but then made the mistake of rushing through production and then having to recall huge amounts of units owing to flaws,” Lehtimaki says. “We’re therefore trying to scale up at a pace we can sustain, where we can be sure we’re only delivering high-quality units.” That said, Verge is seeking to exploit new EV manufacturing technologies, including automated machinery, to the point that it views its factory as its second major product after the e-motorbike. “In the next few years we plan to scale up from manufacturing hundreds of motorbikes a year to thousands and then tens of thousands,” Lehtimaki says. “However, we’re not seeking to build a lower quality, mass-production model. We want to build the most advanced bikes that have the best ride experience, made from the best components, technologies and materials. “That costs money of course, but we got to where we are by not making compromises on any aspect of the bike, and we plan to keep it that way in the future.” Marko Lehtimaki Marko Lehtimaki was educated in the city of Seinajoki in Finland. He founded and led his first company from 2001 to 2006, while studying Computer Science at the University of Helsinki from 2004 to 2007. In 2007, he founded the Kasey Group, which was set up to develop bespoke mission-critical enterprise software, including manufacturing systems for the automotive industry, and flight and leg management systems for aviation; he is still the group’s CEO. In 2011, he founded and became CEO of AppGyver, which pioneered ‘nocode’ software development (creating software through GUIs and configuration rather than conventional programming) and which was acquired by SAP in February 2021. From 2009 to 2013, Lehtimaki also co-founded and led two companies, one centred on a visual app development platform for artists, the other for the EU’s first equity crowd-funding platform. He became a board member for Verge Motorcycles in December 2020, before becoming its chairman in June 2022 and joining as CTO this February. He is also an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, a networking organisation for technology executives, which he joined in 2015.
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