Kenyan electric mobility startup Roam has launched an AI-based vehicle intelligence platform called Roam Explorer, which connects electric motorcycles, tuk-tuks, buses, and cars to a centralized digital platform capable of tracking battery status, performance, location, and vehicle usage in real time.
According to the startup, the system works 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 by SMS, a solution designed to expand use in contexts where access to smartphones is limited.
Based on the analysis of this data (monitoring indicators such as 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 that the platform could also open up new asset financing opportunities by allowing financial institutions, such as M-KOPA, to have 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 technology partners in Sweden. “The system changes the way electric fleets are managed. We have moved from a reactive approach to a preventive approach. By offering real-time visibility into battery status and vehicle performance, we make electric fleets safer to operate and easier to finance,” said Habib Lukaya, Roam’s country manager.
Source: Disrupt Africa
