• Beam will host a safety pop-up on launch day to teach e-scooter skills 
• 50 e-scooters will also be integrated with NSW-first footpath detection technology

[6 September 2023] Australia’s largest micromobility company Beam will bring its brand of community-first micromobility to Armidale tomorrow.

Up to 300 purple e-scooters will be introduced to the city, accessible via downloading the Beam app. 

The app-based service will feature affordable pay-as-you-go rates ($1 to unlock and from $0.49 per minute to ride), ‘virtual docking’ to protect city amenity, and an in-app and in person safety school for rider and community education.

‍

The integration of Pedestrian Shield

In a New South Wales first, 50 e-scooters will also be integrated with Beam’s ‘Pedestrian Shield’ AI technology allowing the e-scooters to detect and correct illegal footpath riding by slowing the vehicle down, accompanied by verbal warnings.

Powered by Drover AI's PathPilot, an advanced IoT module, the technology is capable of detecting city infrastructure like roads, bike lanes or footpaths in real-time using an onboard camera, and delivering real-time rider education and adjusting the speed of the e-scooter. 

The e-scooters will be programmed to reduce in speed when footpaths are detected, delivering a warning to the rider and alerting Beam to illegal riding behaviour.

The trial of Pedestrian Shield in Armidale will help Beam and policymakers understand the best combination of real-time rider prompts and trip intervention to support safe e-scooter use.

‍

Beam Safe Academy

Beam’s ‘Beam Safe Academy’, the company’s major safety education and enforcement program, will be in place to educate riders on local riding rules and safe handling of e-scooters. The program includes:

• A pre-trip in-app safety briefing for every rider, featuring instructions on how to park and ride safely
• An in-app Beam Safety Quiz educating riders on the riding rules, with free credits offered to encourage rider education
• Beam Safety Ambassadors patrolling high-traffic areas, promoting safe riding and parking 
• A three-strikes policy, with riders facing suspension for bad riding and parking offences. Those caught riding dangerously or breaking the law face permanent bans. 

Beam will be hosting a free Beam Safe Academy safety day on Thursday 7 September, from 10.00am - 1pm at the Armidale Visitor Information Centre Car Park. We invite the community to attend, have a go on an e-scooter and learn more about the latest way to move around Armidale.

‍

Beam’s NSW Operations Manager, Ned Dale, said the 12 month trial will allow Beam e-scooters to be ridden across most of Armidale, including from The University of New England to the city centre.

“We believe that micromobility is a transport solution that integrates seamlessly into towns and cities - it not only helps to reduce congestion from cars, it also has been proven to support local businesses in increased expenditure.

“With introducing e-scooters to Armidale roads for the first time, safety is our top priority. 

“We invest in rider education, prevention and deterrence, but above all, even the safest e-scooter requires a safer rider, and we ask that people do the right thing - that means wear a helmet, follow the road rules.”