Networking of user, bike and services
Bosch eBike Systems takes over start-up company COBI.Bike based in Frankfurt. The two companies aim to focus on promoting the networking of people, services and products from here on.
“The expertise, technology and experience that COBI.Bike brings to the table are the perfect ingredients for developing mobility solutions of the future”
Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems
Under one roof: digital services for cyclists and eBikers
Bosch eBike Systems and COBI.Bike share a common belief: The ‘smart bicycle’ represents the future. This is an essential requirement for ensuring close collaboration as well as collectively launching more digital and networked services and products onto the market. COBI.Bike has seen positive development since it was founded in 2014. In addition to an aftermarket product for eBikes and conventional bicycles, the start-up company also developed a technology platform consisting of an app, cloud, development kit and embedded software.
“With the products of COBI.Bike, we will expand our portfolio and offer customers the option of choosing between on-board computers and smartphone based-solutions. Bosch will be presenting offers for networked eBikes and bicycles in the near future”, explains Fleischer.
“We have always aimed to form a partnership with Bosch and are now looking forward to realizing the enormous potential in front of us”
Andreas Gahlert, Founder and CEO of COBI.Bike
Founder and CEO Andreas Gahlert feels that COBI.Bike is much more than just a product. “The greatest strengths of COBI.Bike include a talented team of staff born in the digital era twinned with a complex, modern technological architecture.” As a result of the takeover, COBI.Bike GmbH became a 100% subsidiary of the Bosch Group. The headquarters of the company shall remain in Frankfurt am Main. The COBI.Bike brand and products will be retained and the workforce will remain unchanged.
Further development of digital products and services
Both companies are resolutely launching a digital offensive. Bosch is continuously developing the Nyon on-board computer and presented numerous updates at Eurobike 2017. These include current maps, new features for route planning, altitude preview and energy consumption as well as an improved display of the rider's performance.
COBI is focussing on adapting its products to allow smartphones to be used as a central control, infotainment and display solution. The existing product range will remain available. Products already in the pipeline or those presented at Eurobike 2017 such as the COBI eAir are being developed as planned.
“The takeover of COBI.Bike will create synergies and allow us to develop a product range for different target groups in the best way possible. Digitally networked bicycles and eBikes are an essential ingredient for mobility of the future”
Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems