“There’s an app for that.”
You’ve probably heard this phrase before, because it’s true. Consumers are always looking for a way to make their lives easier and will recommend their favorite apps to their friends to address certain life problems. No matter what industry you’re in, there’s always a problem to be solved, and usually an app to fix it.
Take the powersports industry, for instance. You may have found yourself thinking, “I wish there was an easier way to plan a route than on Google Maps,” or “I wish I didn’t have to walk all the way back to my vehicle to check how much gas/charge is left,” or even, “Help! I’ve rolled over, and I can’t get up!”
It was only a matter of time before the powersports industry listened and got on board the app train. For years now, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been developing brand-specific apps to enhance the powersports riding experience. These apps contain a bevy of information, from vehicle statistics and service reminders to maps, ride logs and more.
Customizing the Ride
Powersports apps provide a ton of vehicle performance information at a glance. Often, they allow you to see the remaining battery and gas levels, while also deriving how many more miles the vehicle can travel on that charge/tank. In addition, these apps can chart the vehicle’s speed, power, acceleration, and torque. A digital odometer keeps track of the miles ridden in total and for specific trips. Based on all this technical data, apps can even send users maintenance reminders.
However, powersport vehicle apps can go beyond reading that data and actually let riders remotely control certain settings. For instance, Segway Powersport’s Smart Moving App allows riders to remotely adjust the electronic power steering settings and select between different performance modes (Comfort, Standard and Sport). Furthermore, taking a cue from the auto industry and the growing popularity of remote start options, there is also an “Airlock” feature that allows the rider to start the vehicle from the app using a Bluetooth connection.
Another great aspect of powersports apps is being able to plan out a ride – whether on-road or off-road – and follow it onscreen. GPS coordinates keep riders aware of their locations and can prevent them from getting lost. Of course, an even better feature is being able to share these maps across a riding group. Segway’s Smart Moving App also has a “Team” function that allows riders to pinpoint one another, displaying them on both the vehicle’s 10.4-inch Smart Touch Screen as well as on the app.
Safety and Security Features
GPS coordinates are not only useful when riding; they also serve as an extra safety feature in the event a vehicle is stolen. For example, not only does Segway’s Smart Moving App send out security-related reminders, but it will also send the user a notification anytime the vehicle is moved. If the rider is not the one moving it, he or she can track the location of the vehicle.
Gabriel Cruz, marketing director for Segway Powersports, relates, “In several cases, we have been able to locate stolen vehicles. In one specific case, not only were we able to locate a stolen vehicle, but we were also able to provide the GPS coordinates to the local law enforcement, which inevitably led to the search and seizure of an entire operation that included stolen vehicles, watercraft, motorcycles, and off-road vehicles.”
However, one of the truly unique aspects to the Smart Moving App is its safety alert. To use it, the rider must first set up an emergency contact. Then, if the rider should suffer a collision or rollover, the app – thanks to the Smart Connecting System tethering it to the vehicle – will automatically send a text message to the emergency contact with GPS coordinates.
Shane Wilson, vice president of sales and marketing for Segway Powersports, stated, “As we continue to develop our product portfolio as the Segway brand, we are focused on what we are great at: introducing and redefining technology in the off-road industry as we know it.”
Once upon a time, customers only had to compare the physical attributes of powersports vehicles to determine which ones suited them best. Nowadays, with the rise of apps, software becomes yet another consideration to take into account. While many OEM powersport apps share similar functions, it could be something unique to a specific brand’s app that becomes the deciding factor.
Available now for free and without vehicle purchase, you can download the Segway Powersports App through Google Play or the Apple App Store and discover the future of off-road technology.
