The Motochimp electric scooter was one of a handful of local creations showcased at CES 2018.
CES is traditionally dominated by large international brands like Samsung and LG, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no space for smaller players to showcase their technology and products.
This year, the Eureka Park Marketplace at the Sands Expo had over 20 booths dedicated to startups from different countries, including Singapore.
Here’s what these five local startups were cooking up at CES 2018.
Motochimp
The scooter was first conceptualized by a 9-year-old girl, which explains its whimsical design.
The Motochimp is a charming, vintage-looking electric scooter by Singaporean company Vanda Electrics. This is the same company that created the Dendrobrium, an electric supercar that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last year.
Vanda Electrics specializes in battery technology and electric mobility, and the Motochimp is its way of injecting a bit of fun into the humdrum business of navigating congested cities.
This playful scooter has a touch of whimsy about it, which probably isn’t surprising given that it was first conceptualized by a 9-year-old girl, the god-daughter of CEO Larissa Tan. Its stainless steel and aluminum alloy body houses a UU Motor Gearless 48V 350W electric motor, and it can reach cruising speeds of up to 30km/h.
The battery is removable and can be charged right in your home.
But what helps the Motochimp stand out is really its battery technology, which lets you charge it in your home, without the need for any dedicated charging stations. The lithium-ion battery can be removed from the scooter’s rear and charged from any standard three-pin plug using Motochimp’s adapter.
Better still, Motochimp intends to use the same battery for future scooters that it comes up with. The cost of the battery comprises a significant portion of the overall cost of the scooter, so customers will be able to reuse the Motochimp’s juice pack and save money in the process.
Neuron
Neuron recently partnered with Deliveroo to offer its riders new modes of transport.
An electric scooter is at the center of our next startup as well. Neuron is focused on solving the last-mile problem in urban mobility, but it leverages real-time data analytics to enhance the overall user experience.
The scooters have already been trialled at locations like Suntec City and Science Park 1, and are installed at Park Regis Hotel for hotel guests to use. You’ll need to download the Neuron app and scan the QR code on the orange docking stations or on the back of the bikes to begin using them.
The docking stations are also solar-powered, in keeping with the company’s focus on sustainability and clean energy.
Last October, Neuron partnered with Deliveroo to offer its riders more modes of transport. And because Neuron tracks exactly how the scooters are used, the tie-up will allow Deliveroo to better identify inefficiencies in the delivery chain.
AEvice Health
The small puck-like device is fairly unintrusive.
Biomedical startup AEvice Health is working on an asthma monitoring device that it’s dubbed KiddyResp.
The device takes the form of a small puck that adheres to a child’s chest, and is capable of detecting abnormal respiratory behaviors through things like breathing patterns and cough and respiratory rates.
In addition, it can track and analyze a child’s sleep pattern, which can be provided to doctors along with information on temperature, breathing, and heart rate. The device automatically syncs with a smartphone app, and parents will be notified if any anomalies are detected.
The app monitors things like breathing and heart rate and sleep status.
The team of doctors behind KiddyResp thinks the device could come in especially useful in detecting early signs of asthma, which could then lead to better outcomes through early intervention.
Cove
KaHa pairs its Cove AI platform with stylish designs.
Founded in 2015, KaHa provides customers with customizable end-to-end wearable solutions at both the software and hardware level. Companies can jump in at any step, so they’re able to use their own designs while leveraging KaHa’s technology.
The company unveiled its own Smart Wearable Operating System at CES 2018, with features in areas like safety, fitness tracking, and health. KaHa’s Cove AI platform and machine learning algorithms serve up useful information such as safe routes through unfamiliar cities and can generate safety heatmaps to help visualize safe zones.
There’s a social aspect to it as well – for example, you can go on a run with friends on a virtual route plotted through faraway cities. You can set a virtual course through Paris or follow the path of the Kilimanjaro Marathon, and have information on landmarks pop up along the way as you reach distance milestones along your route.
On top of that, its health monitoring features let it track your emotional state and offer tips on reducing stress and improving sleep quality.
The company partnered with Titan to use its technology in the Titan WE.
The company already has operations in India, and it’s partnered with Titan, a watch and jewelry retailer that’s part of Tata Group, to provide IoT platform and product development services.
Pebby
Pebby's smart ball can play with your pet while you're away.
Pebby announced its smart robotic pet sitter system at CES 2018, which lets pet owners monitor and interact with their furry friends when they’re away from home.
The Pebby Smart Ball features a 1080p wide-angle camera, and can be remotely controlled using the companion Pebby app (available on both iOS and Android). It is powered by four lithium-ion batteries, so it can continue live streaming your pet’s cutest moments for longer.
The device is housed in a removable polycarbonate shell, which you can swap out for different designs. It is also equipped with LED lights for seeing in the dark, and glow rims to catch your pet’s attention. Other features include built-in speakers and a safe laser toy to engage your pet while you’re away.
Pebby's app will let you check on your pet throughout the day.
The app offers a range of customizations, such as the ability to change LED colors and tweak the speed of the ball.
But if you’re too busy, there’s an auto-play function that lets you just sit back and watch your pet interact with the Pebby ball. The app will also alert you when your pet starts playing with Pebby, or if Fido suddenly starts barking.
The ball will start shipping in late Q1 2018, after a successful Kickstarter campaign last year that saw it raise over 10 times its original US$50,000 goal. The company also makes the PebbyCollar, a smart collar that syncs with the Pebby Smart Ball to track your pet's activities.
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