Smart Bike Rack from Enschede Charges and Locks E-bikes Simultaneously

Two former University of Twente students, Paul Stöver and Maarten Smit, have developed "Lock and Load," a smart bicycle rack designed to charge and lock electric bikes in a single action. They founded the startup Revost to bring this innovation to market, aiming to encourage more people to adopt e-bikes by offering a sustainable and convenient solution. The system addresses the common inconvenience of users needing to carry and connect separate chargers for their e-bikes. The rack automatically locks and charges a bicycle once it is placed inside. A unique feature of the Lock and Load system is its compatibility with nearly all e-bike models, according to its creators. This is achieved by replacing the original axle nut with a specially designed one containing a charging contact and a locking mechanism. The University of Twente is currently conducting a pilot test with two bicycles and one rack over the next month to gather user feedback and refine the system. Stöver and Smit plan to begin sales in early 2027, initially targeting institutions like healthcare facilities, universities, and corporations that promote cycling among employees. Their long-term vision is to establish a nationwide network of these smart bike racks. While the specifics of electricity cost settlement are still being determined, the entrepreneurs have applied for a patent to protect their intellectual property and are exploring the possibility of obtaining a quality mark for their security system.