Jobrad founder Ulrich Prediger develops a self-driving e-bike at his start-up Veluto

Ulrich Prediger, who founded the bike leasing company Jobrad 20 years ago, is developing an e-bike that steers and brakes itself at his start-up Veluto, he told Handelsblatt. The rider still pedals while sensors and cameras handle the rest, and retractable support wheels stop the bike tipping over when it stands still.

Veluto is testing the technology on cargo bikes on private land to collect training data. Prediger said he is talking to three or four German municipalities, and with their special permission the bikes would first ride autonomously at 6 km/h, then with a passenger at up to 25 km/h. The finished vehicle is to be fully enclosed, with room for luggage and a child seat, and its assistance system is meant to reach Level 4.

Each bike is expected to cost about €20,000 to build, so Veluto plans to offer them by subscription rather than sell them, and also to bike-sharing and robotaxi operators. The company has 12 employees, and Prediger said he is still financing it entirely himself.

Prediger said Veluto has to develop much of the technology itself, including most of the software for riding on cycle paths. Tom Assmann, who researched autonomous two-wheelers at the University of Magdeburg and now runs the start-up Aurasys, said there are hardly any ready-made parts such as electronically controlled brakes or steering, and no suitable legal framework.