Kenyan electric mobility startup Roam has launched an artificial intelligence-based vehicle intelligence platform called Roam Explorer, designed to connect electric motorcycles, tuk-tuks, buses, and cars to a centralized digital platform capable of monitoring battery status, performance, location, and vehicle usage in real time.
According to the startup, the system operates on 2G, 3G, and 4G networks to ensure connectivity even in rural areas. Operators can access vehicle data through smartphone interfaces, while some functions can also be managed via SMS, a solution designed to expand usability in environments where smartphone access remains limited.
Based on the analysis of this data — including monitoring battery range, temperature, and overall performance — the system uses artificial intelligence to predict maintenance needs and reduce unexpected breakdowns. Rather than treating the system as a simple technological add-on, Roam describes Explorer as the operational digital layer of its electric vehicles.
The Kenyan startup believes the platform could also create new opportunities for asset financing by enabling financial institutions, such as M-KOPA, to gain greater visibility over financed vehicles. In addition, fleet managers will be able to monitor the performance of multiple vehicles simultaneously, while drivers will have access to information that can improve safety and reliability.
Roam Explorer was designed and developed in Kenya in collaboration with Swedish technology partners.
“The system changes the way electric fleets are managed. We are moving from a reactive approach to a preventive one. By providing real-time visibility into battery health and vehicle performance, we make electric fleets safer to operate and easier to finance,” said Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Country Manager.
Source: Disrupt Africa
