VanMoof E-bike
The ultimate e-bike experience
Amsterdam-based VanMoof manufactures high-end, smart, electric bicycles. Together we realized our vision of the ideal bicycle for today’s digital and urban infrastructure. The launch of the S2 bicycle broke all records with over €15 million in preorders and it has since been published on the cover of Time Magazine as “one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2019”.
Disciplines
UI & UX
Industrial design
Brand strategy
Role
Designer
Key contribution
Redefining what the ownership experience from unboxing to riding to servicing should be
Recognition
2020 iF Design Award
2019 Time Magazine, The 100 Best Inventions
2019 Core77 Design Award, Winner
2019 Dezeen Product Design of the Year, Shortlisted
Luxurious looks. Rider recognition. Boost Button. Location tracking. 150km range. Integrated speaker. Thief alarm. VanMoof S2.
“Among today’s roughly 200,000 VanMoof devotees are Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Pigalle's Stéphane Ashpool, and Aminé, who have been spotted riding the 'Tesla of bikes' around the streets of New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.”
— Highsnobiety
Over 70% of the people who purchased the Electrified S2 use it as their primary mode of transport, replacing cars and other modes of transport.
“The S2 has pulled ahead of its field.”
“This is the future of transportation
— the way it’s meant to be, the way it will be.”
“One of the smartest bikes you’ll ever ride.”
“…a fit and finish we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on highly refined products from Apple or Tesla.”
Seamless display
166 LEDs light up the top tube of the S2. The display shows speed, battery level and power assist while riding. When parked it seamlessly disappears into the frame.
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A custom font was designed to fit as much information as possible while still being legible to glance at when riding. We also created concepts for all animations that were later communicated for production.
Adding a waterproof and reliable display to the round top tube was a fun challenge that became possible through collaborating with ultra-specialized manufacturers and building multiple prototypes.
Integrated speaker
A speaker replaces the bicycle bell and makes sure you’re heard in traffic. It decidedly warns potential thieves if they tamper with the S2, and breaks out into a loud 100+ dB alarm if it is moved.
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Integrating a speaker allowed VanMoof to strengthen its brand through sounds when powering on/off, locking/unlocking, alarms, etc.
Video of alarm system:
youtu.be/vP_rkokvC80
Super-smart electronics
The Smart Cartridge controls all onboard systems, processing real-time motor feedback to ensure maximum range and motor responsiveness.
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Sometimes things break, so we made the smart cartridge user replaceable. What used to take a specialized workshop 40 minutes to replace, now takes only 5 minutes at home.
Video on how to change the smart cartridge: youtu.be/eXPZM9qIlo8
Superpowers on demand
Need a boost? Press the boost button on the handlebar to coast up a steep hill or make a quick getaway on green light.
Forget the keys
Wirelessly unlock with your favorite device. No phone on you? Just tap your personal code on the bell button.