Update also turns your smartphone into a ‘digital key’
Bosch has updated its eBike Flow app so you can use the Bosch eBike Systems head units or your smartphone to lock or unlock your electric bike.
Bosch’s eBike Lock is said to provide “another level of security for ebikes” via Bluetooth, in addition to a physical bike lock, by disabling motor support once your ebike is switched off.
The update will also mean different ‘digital keys’ can be created, so different riders can lock and unlock the same electric bike.
Use a Kiox head unit or smartphone as a key
The Bosch eBike Flow app and Kiox head units were launched in August 2021 to form Bosch’s Smart System.
The system was said to introduce greater customisation to the brand’s controls and electric bike motors, as well as helping users equip their ebikes with new features down the line.
The new eBike Lock is one of these new features and it utilises both the Bosch cycling app and the Smart System’s hardware.
Thanks to the update, users can lock or unlock an ebike equipped with a range of Bosch electric motors by inserting a Kiox 300 or Kiox 500 display into its mount.
Bosch describes displays used in this way as ‘digital keys’.
It says if multiple people use the same ebike, several digital keys can be set up, giving users “greater flexibility and convenience”.
Bosch says the eBike Lock can turn your smartphone into a digital key as well. Motor support will only be activated if your smartphone is detected via Bluetooth when you turn the ebike on.
You can also define your preferred key settings in the eBike Flow app, so you can use either your smartphone, Kiox display or both.
While the smartphone digital key will automatically unlock your electric bike motor, Bosch says you can turn this functionality off.
When ‘automatic unlock’ is turned off, users can enable motor assistance by pressing and holding the ‘Hold to unlock’ button on the home screen of the eBike Flow app.
Audible and visible feedback from the drive unit and LED remote will indicate whether your bike is secured by the system or ready to ride.