iPhone App?

[Durgenbold]

Don't get too excited now, I'm just pitching the idea!

So, surfing the Apple app store like I usually am I find that there isn't an app under Brammo OR Enertia... Isn't there supposed to be an "app for that"?

If there were to be an app (I can't program for the life of me), I think it would have the following features:

- App-access to this forum and several awesome blogs (Brammofan, Implovator, etc.)

- Google maps of:
Brammo Headquarters
Enertia Owners
Charge Stations (with trip planner to calculate long-distance runs using charge stations)
Best Buys w/ Brammos

- Owner's Manual PDF

- Shared Enertia Photo Album w/ Uploader & Downloader

- Possible Self-diagnostic (if you could somehow hook up the iPhone!)

[Brammofan]

Yes, there was supposed to be an app for all of that.  I think an app that is able to plan your trip based on speed, distance, topography, ambient temperature, what you happen to weigh that day, your payload (inside panniers, etc.) wind and other weather conditions, and is able to talk to your bike and update the trip based on the state of charge ... now there's an app.  Of course it would all be plotted on Google maps, would alert you if other Enertia riders were in the vicinity, and would allow you to modify your startup sound, (AND SOMEDAY...) your power profile.... would be awesome. 

[ALephart]

I would be all for this kind of customization. And Brammo owners are the type of consumers to modify these parameters. The question is, would Brammo be WILLING to trust us to do this? My guess is if you ran this by the corporate lawyers they would say no way!

All the best,
Aaron Lephart

[Brammofan]

The question is, would Brammo be WILLING to trust us to do this? My guess is if you ran this by the corporate lawyers they would say no way!

Which parameters are you talking about?  If it's the power curve, you're probably right.  Although, I wish they gave us a couple options from which to choose, e.g. range saver, quick race ... or, novice -- expert.

[ALephart]

The question is, would Brammo be WILLING to trust us to do this? My guess is if you ran this by the corporate lawyers they would say no way!

Which parameters are you talking about?  If it's the power curve, you're probably right.  Although, I wish they gave us a couple options from which to choose, e.g. range saver, quick race ... or, novice -- expert.

Yes, the power curve. I seem to remember reading that the power curve was scaled back DRAMATICALLY from what it's potential is. Both as a safety concern and the power draw on the batterys.

I would love to be able to scale it slightly more agressive and even have a map for novice users that also lower the top speed.

I can see them not wanting to modify the maps "up" because of safety concerns but at least let us modify them " down" to make them safer. I would understand Brammo's position either way.

All the best,
Aaron Lephart

[Phantom]

Where's the love for the Blackberry? 

Here are some wishful, non-original ideas for Enertia-related apps that I would find useful:

1) Display the bike's current State of Charge (SOC) %
2) Display the bike' battery charging status (actively charging or not)
3) Display the bike's location via GPS
4) Display the location the nearest charging stations
5) Transmit a signal to open/close a garage door
6) Diagnostics on the bike performance (e.g. acceleration data v.s. an average or specification)
7) Diagnostics on rider performace (e.g. overuse of the brakes)
Adjust the power settings (faster acceleration v.s. higher top speed)

[skadamo]

The question is, would Brammo be WILLING to trust us to do this? My guess is if you ran this by the corporate lawyers they would say no way!

"No way" until a competitor has a similar but faster bike

If lawyers get in the way of this type of power curve customization that would be a real shame.

[enertia-ette]

I would love to use an Enertia app for charging station locations however, thats pre-mature. Wouldnt be a bad idea to get one out there before someone else puts one up.
On my website, I have a mapping system. As time goes on and the charging stations go in, I will add additional icons to my mapping system to allow for those locations to be added, as well.
Its the future, my friends. Get 'er done!!

[enertia-ette]

FYI, boys. Remember that not all Enertia riders are engineers... or something equivilant. It just needs to be simple, for we simple folk!!

[Durgenbold]

I would love to use an Enertia app for charging station locations however, thats pre-mature. Wouldnt be a bad idea to get one out there before someone else puts one up.

Unfortuanately, there are already apps that do this already, but Brammo could make the premium model!

For everyone else, I think the Enertia customization is a cool idea but I don't think it should get in the way of making a simple layman's app for the community and helping advertise the bike (like those brochures I suggested  )

If the app would have all the features I mentioned (without the diagnostics), I know I would pick it up for $1-5. I don't know how difficult it would be to program the diagnostics and customization, but if it could do that it could become an essential tool for owners and could easily be marketted for at least $10.

Making an iPhone (and Blackberry!) app would create easy advertising for Brammo and the owners, and could provide the company with a little extra money!

Again, I don't have the skillz to make such a product but I think the suggestions are helpful in themselves (and check out the quick responses! 9 replies!)

[Brammofan]

I seem to recall that Brammo is a registered iPhone developer.  Oh, SpecialOne - is there anything in the pipeline, or could we/should we solicit some help from the developer community?

[thespecialone]

Brammo are indeed an Apple iPhone Application Developer and deep in the bowels of Brammo a team of software gurus are close to completing their cunning plan......

[Durgenbold]

If you’re wondering where you might find a Level 2 charging station, Brammo’s got an app for that. The app (initially for the iPhone, with an Android version in the works) will offer a realtime display of nearby charging facilities. The Empluse also features an iPhone port built into the bike.

http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/15/brammo-empulse-electric-motorcycle/

Is this true? (I remember enertia-ette suggesting the built-in port!) When will it be released? I'm going to buy it ASAP no matter what it does so I can finally chip in for Brammo!

Is there any new information we can be let in on?

-Durgenbold

[Phantom]

Bump for more WiFi and GPS ideas due to the Ask A Brammo thread.

[WiFI and GPS are] still part of the product
plan and development work is continuing at speed. What has changed is the way we
will deliver these functions on the bike and exactly what our customers want it
terms of features and functions. Maybe the Forum would be a good place to share
your thoughts - What are the Killer Apps for EV riders?

I started looking into using my smartphone as a GPS unit for driving directions and a real time map. I was going to mount it to a handlebar of my Enertia and remembered that Brammo was working on it.

My normal commute was recently disrupted due to road construction and a GPS would have been useful to help me choose an alternate route.

WiFi would be a great way to communicate with the Enertia for information and to install software updates. I have missed a few commutes to work because I forgot to charge during the previous night, but a quick check via WiFi  or an e-mail alert would help.

[Brammofan]

Chevy just went live with My Volt which appears to have many of the features requested here, albeit for owners of their extended range electric vehicle.

Click the icons below to see how you can plug into your Volt online to access an unprecedented level of real-time data along with remote vehicle commands and critical vehicle diagnostics.

While we don't need a way to lock or unlock our vehicles remotely, or start them up to have the cabin warm or cold (depending on the season), the diagnostics are cool, and the fact that it keeps an archive of information (e.g. on the efficiency) is helpful, too. 

Looks like it works along with the OnStar MyLink app (for iPhone and Android).