Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FREEWAY (FREEWAY : safely and effortless commute in an urban environment)

Teaser

It is not a bike, it is not a scooter, it is a lot better, it\'s FREEWAY : a new revolutionary means of transportation allowing to safely and effortlessly commute in an urban environment.Protected by a worldwide patent, FREEWAY is a small and clean scooter, on three wheels...

Summary

It is not a bike, it is not a scooter, it is a lot better, it\'s FREEWAY : a new revolutionary means of transportation allowing to safely and effortlessly commute in an urban environment.
Protected by a worldwide patent, FREEWAY is a small and clean scooter, on three wheels.

FREEWAY is unique since it is very light, 14kg, with 2 front wheels for stability and safety, a back wheel that includes the electric engine, and it is fitted with latest generation batteries. FREEWAY may be folded and unfolded within seconds. When folded, it can be carried along, on its two front wheels like a suitcase.
Therefore, FREEWAY may be kept with you at all time and is perfectly suitable for intermodal mobility.

FREEWAY is an hybrid type of bike with no equivalent product on the market ; nevertheless, its market is already very broad. The most direct competition of FREEWAYcommes from electric bikes, with a good market growth rate that should be 9,1% over 2013-2020 period, to reach a market of 1,9 millions in Europe.

The main objective of FREEWAY business innovation project is the transfer of a new innovative and competitive solution seizing European sector opportunities with the view of providing profitability and growth.

The specific objectives will be to provide technological and economic viability of FREEWAY electro mobility concept in order to develop a market strategy ensuring Europe wide market uptake, support growth and self-sufficiency at mid-term and participate to Europe bike industry leadership.

In addition, Freeway business innovation project will address urban environmental and mobility defies by offering the market with an innovative electric powered vehicle which is more light, more practical, more safe and secure and more trendy for the users, thus, improving users\' quality of life with an innovation offering a door-to-door environmentally-efficient mobility that will quickly and successfully break into European market.

Work performed

M1 – JUNE 2015 : FREEWAY PROGRESS
2015-06-01 - Explore collaboration and/or Investment
Meeting: R Parienti, M. Josserand, M. Barro. After introduction of both companies, an investment in Freeway is discussed. M. Barro is a share-holder of several companies in electric bikes and electric scooters, also synergies between the companies are explored. No agreement seems achievable in terms of investments. Freeway will explore a possible collaboration with XOR-motors.
2015-06-04 - Fix of breakdown after testing
Meeting : M. Josserand, H. Bindi. During testing, when riding Freeway downhill, the right front bracket support bracket as a result of a loose screw. A solution is found. To make new parts in steel instead of aluminum. It is decided to change both the right and left support

2015-06-08 - Explore possible subcontracting to Xor-motors
Meeting : R. Parienti, M. Josserand, F. Marion (Xor). After description of Xor-Motors and its capabilities a review of the Freeway Prototype 2 was made. Xor-Motors demonstrates capabilities in mechanical engineering and value engineering, electric engines and batteries. Xor-motors has worked with a number of subcontractors in the world that may be very useful to Freeway. Freeway asks Xor-motors to make a proposal for the finalization of the design (prototype 3) and value engineering.

2015-06-11 – Fix of saddle folding system
Meeting : M. Josserand, H. Bindi. After about 30 strong pulling on the cable of the saddle folding system, the cable becomes loose. Although it is a bicycle steel cable, the measurement shows that the cable is about 1cm longer than originally. Discussion is open on the reason for that elongation. Since the bicycle cables are designed for strong mechanical pulling stress, the reason has to be different. It is believed that when the cable is around the saddle rotation system, when a strong pulling is made on the cable, the cable structure is probably damage: the cable is a well structured mesh of wires and the side pressure probably breaks this well organized mesh. Carma to explore other solutions such as strips instead of cables or small climbing ropes.

2015-06-15- Xor proposal to Freeway
Meeting : R. Parienti, M. Josserand, F. Marion. The proposal is discussed at length. Freeway requires Xor to amend the proposal on three points: A more accurate description of the scope of work and deliverables; A definition of the payment milestones; A significant price reduction.

2015-06-16 - Prototype 2 Design review
Meeting : JC Leclaire, R Parienti. Review of the prototype 2 design to try to identify and correct potential flaws. Detailed design improvement solutions were discussed. 5 points are identified, and a solution suggested: (1) The forward wheel structure: 2 solutions will be analyzed more thoroughly; (2) The Steering shaft folding system: a solution closer to the casing will be investigated; (3) The saddle shaft folding system: a solution than prevents the cable from being submitted to transverse pressure will be investigate; (4) The saddle needs a complete redesign; (5) The volume in the casing needs to be analyzed for optimization.

2015-06-22 - Prototype 2 Design review
Meeting : JC Leclaire, R Parienti. Review of the proposal to simplify the design of the forward wheel structure and of the steering bar folding system and correct potential flaws. Detailed designs for each solutions were discussed. 2 solutions were found:
- The forward wheel structure was redesigned with a symmetrical axis. This solution does not have to use sprocket and gear system near the wheels on the prototype 2. With this solution we reduce the number of parts, and it becomes much more efficient with no more backlash in the gear.
- A new lock steering column system was designed as well. It is double forks mechanic placed in the column steering system with rolling bearing. Theses forks make easier the folding system of the steering column. These forks as well avoid backlash in the column steerin

Final results

⇨ To validate FREEWAY standard prototype with regards to the project objectives of high quality innovation seizing European and global business opportunities;
The standard prototype still shows some weaknesses about the speed and the weight, which will be easily solved during industrialization process. The management team confident on this. As for the dynamics and stability the standard prototype has achieved the innital performance objectives.

⇨ To enhance the vehicle weight, battery life and reliability without compromising on safety and delivering a more robust and well managed battery system thus improving the cost-performance ratio of electric vehicles
As mentioned above, FREEWAY standard prototype does not achieve its weight objective, adjustments must still be done to reach a weight objective of 14/15 kg, this will be achieved by selecting subcontractors offering component on composite materials to lighten the vehicle. As for the engine, some modification of the controller must still be done in order to reduce the triggering speed of the electric propulsion down to 1,5km/h and to increase the torque to reach more easily the 25km/h top speed.

⇨ To perform an economically viable production pilot lines for FREEWAY quick market up-take.
Not started so far. Due to the delays of the prototype development, the adapted production pilot lines are not defined yet, but the last exchanges with RGM indicated that the delays would therefore have to be made up for subsequently and the production pilot lines for a quick market uptake could be delivered on time.

⇨ To contribute to the standardization strengthening the competiveness of the European bike industry.
Not achieved at this stage, because it would be when FREEWAY will be launched in the European bike market.

⇨ To provide go-to-market efforts by developing a distribution network of at least 100 selling points in Europe.
The Sale representatives will start the visits with the distributors in France and then 8 targeted European countries from August until December. The sale representatives will write reports of these visits, that will help to build our distribution network.

⇨ To enhance the commercial potential and impact of FREEWAY with an efficient commercial strategy.
Not started so far and it will result of the visit encounters with the distributors, as mentioned in the point just above.

⇨ To enhance profitability and growth performance of FREEWAY SAS enabling market up-take in a very short term with an objective of 6000 units sold at the end of year 2.
Despite the delay relating to the initial work plan, the actions of the market replication and relating to planned objectives in this field will be achieved on time.

⇨ To support commercial uptake of FREEWAY with interactions activities with potential users: 100 FREEWAY ambassadors traveling 8 European countries.
Not started so far as described in the initial work plan. As described above, it will be effective when the market replication will be launched.

⇨ To ensure key stakeholders involvement by providing various and effective awareness raising actions on the disruptive characteristics of FREEWAY and attract decision makers and investors.
On good progress through several meeting with potential investors and substantial dissemination actions, as for example participation of Mr Raoul Parienti in conferences with civil society, decision makers and industrials (CGPME “Planete PME Event” on June 2015, COP 21 Climate Solution Presentation on December 2015, conference in Nice on January 2016, conference in Paris for GP 21 Sustainable Development & Corporate Social Responsibility on April 2016), participation of Mr Raoul Parienti in TV shows and radios interviews regularly, meetings with national and local decision makers (as the Head of the GART Agency, the French Transportation Agency, Mr Nègre).

⇨ To develop scenario taking into account societal trends.
On progress through all pro

Website & more info

More info: http://www.freeway.pro.