Beam has latest Saturn 5 e-scooter for Wellington

Micromobility company Beam has unveiled its latest e-scooter – the Saturn 5 – bringing its fifth-generation e-scooter to Wellington and replacing the capital’s 400 existing Beam e-scooters.

“Ahead of the e-bike trials (Beam Apollo) scheduled to begin soon, we see this as a great time to introduce an upgrade to the e-scooters Wellington residents get to use,” says Beam’s ANZ general manager Tom Cooper.

“The Saturn 5 e-scooter was developed particularly for mature e-scooter markets, catering for longer commuting journeys with features like wireless phone charging and auditory alerts, as well as improved geo-fencing capabilities to ensure safe operation of micromobility alongside other modes of transport.”

Research shows 40% of Beam riders are more likely to consider public transport as an option for long journeys, over cars or ridesharing, if they have the option to rely on e-scooters and e-bikes for first and last mile transport.

About 48% of Beam riders reveal they already utilise e-scooters and e-bikes for their first and last mile connections, with 22% of Beam riders saying they “always” or “usually” do as part of their trips in the city.

The Saturn 5 features an upgraded IoT, feeding not just off satellites but off information gathered from the vehicle’s own systems.

The result is centimetre-perfect position accuracy, ensuring riders remain inside local council and government-approved micromobility vehicle use zones, and swift action as the rider moves between zones with differing restrictions, says Beam.

Auditory alerts and hands-free phone charging are included.

The Saturn 5 features new-generation clear audio messaging, with safe riding reminders and riding zone changes now delivered audibly as well, so riders can listen to instructions and don’t have to take their eyes off their journey.

Visual cues are also available, the Saturn 5 conveying riding notifications when entering and leaving slow zones, no parking zones and other riding areas, via an on-screen display.

“We deliver these instructions in our app as well, especially for those who are hearing impaired, but we’ve also found the audible alerts increase rider compliance with the riding rules, and the on-screen display provides an additional cue,” says Cooper.

Hardware upgrades for safety, inclusiveness and durability, along with larger front and back wheels and smaller handlebars, are also included in the Saturn 5 upgrade.

 It has up to 120km of battery life.