Computer maker Acer aspires to get into the world of e-bikes with its 35-pound “ebii” motor – Ars Technica

When you think of Acer, you probably think of computers, be that as it may Cheap beater laptops Tablets and tablets, ultrabooks and gaming laptops that are a bit gentler but still budget-focused, or weird trials of swing and error. But today the company Announce something else entirely-the “ebiiA lightweight e-bike that, other than its associated smartphone app, has nothing to do with computers or tablets.

We’ve reviewed e-bikes with sleek designs and attractive curves, but the ebii looks decidedly more utilitarian. The chunky “ebii box” in the center houses the control box, battery pack, and headlight, and the seat and handlebars protrude upward from it. In a nod to its history as a PC and tablet maker, the 460Wh ebii battery can be removed and used as a portable charging station for USB-C devices.

At just over 35 lbs (16 kg), the ebii is lightweight – it saves weight in part by using a single-sided fork for the front tire. Acer says it can accommodate most riders between 4.75 and 6 feet (145 to 185 cm) in height, which means riders in particular won’t find it comfortable. The bike also won’t break any speed or distance records, with a top speed of around 15 mph and a range of 68 miles.

The bike is described as “artificial intelligence-driven,” which says more about the current state of “AI” as a buzzy, ubiquitous marketing term than it does about the bike’s potential—the ebii app claims to be “[adapt] to the cyclist’s pedaling strength, riding conditions, and preferred level of assist, learning over time for a more personalized experience. “While it’s not wrong to refer to these features as ‘AI-driven’, they technically fall under a more subtle umbrella.”machine learning. “

ebii also uses the app on your phone for proximity-based locking and unlocking, and the bike includes GPS positioning so you can find it if you roll over on it. Acer’s ad says the ebii has a “smart LED display” to show battery level and remaining range, but it’s not pictured in the company’s photos—some show a smartphone wedged between the handlebars. ebii does not have any kind of built-in screen to show the charge level or any other functionality, although some of the images show that you are viewing this information using the app.

Acer has not announced how much the ebii will cost or when it will be available.

Listing image from Acer