By GREGORY ZELLER //
A Long Island-based electronics manufacturer, already bringing 500-plus new manufacturing jobs to Suffolk County, is bringing 5G connectivity – and artificial intelligence-powered navigation – to the eBike realm.
Meet Orbic, a circa-2013, Holbrook-based maker of smartphones, tablets, laptops, routers, wearable devices and related hardware (including charger adapters and USB cables) that previously subcontracted its manufacturing work to China and other foreign markets.
The innovator – which last year announced it was relocating its manufacturing operations to an overhauled production facility in Hauppauge, with a little help from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency – is now putting a more literal spin on its mobility enterprise solutions with an expansion into electric bicycles.
Known generically as “eBikes,” the vehicles combine pedal power with integrated electricity-powered motors to assist propulsion. Orbic’s all-electric, carbon-free eBike – capable of a top speed of about 28 miles per hour – will go several steps further.
Mike Narula: Redefining the ride.
For one thing, Orbic’s version boasts 5G connectivity that’s designed to minimize lag time between user actions and vehicle responses, creating a “seamless and responsive user experience,” according to the company.
It also incorporates an advanced AI avoidance/detection system leveraging a 140-degree field-of-view sensor. The rear-mounted sensor provides “continuous surveillance of the rider’s environment,” Orbic said, with audio and visual alerts “enhanc[ing] awareness and safety.”
Other bells and whistles include a forward-facing 64-megapixel camera (ideal for recording and livestreaming), an 8-MP camera on the control panel (perfect for mid-ride videocalls), a 2-MP rear camera (for enhanced rider safety) and a 7-inch, all-weather touchscreen (highlighting speed, maps, battery status and other functions). The eBike is also a mobile hotspot, ensuring continuous connectivity.
Orbic rolled out its fancy wheels in February at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, a global showcase of the latest products from major-league IT companies, mobile vendors, networking specialists and telecom providers – the perfect venue to introduce its tricked-out ride, according to Orbic President and CEO Mike Narula.
“Introducing Orbic’s 5G eBike at MWC Barcelona is part of our innovation pipeline that implements advanced technology to expand connectivity and enhance user experiences,” Narula noted.
Users, friendly: The 5G eBike drew a crowd at MWC Barcelona.
Though they have their fair share of critics, rechargeable eBikes have emerged as an ecologically friendly, guilt-free transportation mode for a new generation of environmentally focused, cost-conscious commuters. They’re way cheaper than cars, carry zero maintenance costs, produce no emissions and can park – for free – wherever traditional bicycles park (some models even fold up), making them ideal for everything from simple errands to joy rides.
According to U.S. Department of Energy statistics, domestic motorized-bicycle sales – including models with smaller motors designed solely to assist pedal power, and models with larger motors (and a throttle), more akin to a traditional moped – quadrupled between 2019 and 2022 (the latest year calculated), with sales eclipsing 1.1 million units in 2022.
That’s a healthy market to tap into, according to Narula, especially for a company known best for decidedly less-mobile mobility products like cellphones, earbuds and smartwatches.
“The 5G eBike represents a significant leap forward in electronic mobility,” the CEO said. “By integrating 5G connectivity and AI technology, we aim to redefine the riding experience, making it safer, more connected and environmentally responsible, whether on city streets, in suburban neighborhoods or the challenging terrain of mountain trails.
“We are excited about bringing this new technology to cities across the globe.”
