How it Works |
The FlexBike system is a complete and effective unattended bicycle rental system. It consists of bicycles, automated bicycle racks and a server based software application for the management and administration of the system. The system has been designed with a view to providing all the functionality required for a successful City-Bike project, while remaining extremely cost-effective. For the user, renting a bicycle with FlexBike is quick, easy and completely automatic. The user is identified using an electronic RFID card in conjunction with a PIN code. FlexBike is a true point to point system, the user can collect a bicycle from point A and return it at Point B. FlexBike racks are easy to install, the installation does not require any specific technical expertise. With no cables to worry about, the installation of FlexBike racks equipped with the battery and solar power option is just as easy as the installation of an ordinary bicycle rack. Each FlexBike racks communicates with the server using a wireless GSM/GPRS connection which also avoids the need for additional installation cables. Renting a bicycle
Validating the rentalBefore unlocking the bicycle, the rental-terminal connects to the server with the system's server which runs a number of verifications: mainly:
If any of these checks fails, the bicycle will not be released Returning the bicycleThe user must chose a rack with an empty lock unit in order to return the bicycle after a rental.
At the end of this process, the rental is terminated with a connection to the server. Displaying Account informationUsers can consult their account information at any time via the screen of any FlexBike rack in the system. Currently, the account information available this way is:
|