Ather Energy is rolling out a new OTA update which includes an all-new riding mode – SmartEco. The latest update will be available for all the Ather 450 Plus and 450X models. The new firmware is called Atherstack Cyclon, and the version is 10.3.0. The company says that it will roll out the update gradually in a week.
To get the new riding mode, the electric scooter needs to be on the latest software build – Atherstack Cyclon 10.3.0. The Ather App, available for both Android and iOS, also needs to be on the newest version – 5.3.2 or newer. Continuing, the owner needs to enable the feature from the Ather Labs page in the app and activate it from the ‘Settings’ options from the scooter’s dashboard. Additionally, the owner also needs to be on the Ather Connect Pro subscription plan.
The new feature is available through Ather Labs, which lets one try out new features and give feedback early in the development process. Ather Labs currently includes features like Savings Tracker, Trip Planner, and the SmartEco.
The current riding modes in the electric scooter puts a cap on the maximum speed and acceleration. The company says the new SmartEco mode intelligently regulates the amount of power available to the rider by dynamically adjusting the maximum acceleration.
The new riding mode assesses various factors like riding style, road conditions and the number of passengers on the scooter. According to the company, the SmartEco Mode is flexible enough to switch between Ride and Eco modes when needed “automagically”, a pun the company adds.
After activating the new mode, the scooter displays a ‘Power Bar’ on the right side of the dashboard while riding. The Power Bar indicates the blue colour, which means the ride is on track to achieve the TruRange. The owner can gradually accelerate while the indicator shows a blue colour. When the bar lowers and turns red, it means the amount of power available and the ride’s efficiency are low. The company says to exercise caution and not try overtaking when this happens. If needed, the company recommends switching to other modes for more acceleration.
Ather says the new mode will let users ride without range anxiety and help them achieve the TruRange that the scooter offers.
Also Read: Ather Energy sold 2,591 scooters in March ‘22