ISME Partners with Fexco to simplify Cross-Border payments for Irish SMEs

ISME has announced a partnership with Fexco International Payments, a leading provider of cross-border payment solutions. This collaboration aims to help Irish businesses compete globally, by offering innovative payment services that avoid the high costs and complexities of traditional banking providers.

Neil Mc Donnell, CEO of ISME, commented on the partnership: “As an Irish business headquartered in Killorglin, Co Kerry, Fexco understands the unique challenges faced by Irish SMEs when trading internationally. Its tailored solutions are designed to make cross-border payments simpler, faster, and more cost-effective for our members compared to traditional banks.”

Sean Crowe, CEO, Fexco Financial Services, expressed his excitement: “With over 40 years of experience in delivering payment solutions to companies of all sizes, we understand the crucial role that SMEs play in Ireland’s economy. We are thrilled to announce this partnership. Fexco is uniquely positioned to offer competitive exchange rates, low fees, and a seamless user experience backed by award-winning service and support to SMEs who send, receive, or make international payments.”

 He continued, “together with ISME, we are committed to driving growth and supporting the international ambitions of Irish businesses.”

For more information on the partnership or on how Fexco International Payments can support your business, contact John Barry at jobarry@fexco.com or visit us on https://internationalpayments.fexco.com/isme/

The Irish Aviation Industry at a Glance

Europe as a whole is a major aviation hub worldwide, but the beating heart of this industry is certainly Ireland. Not only is this country the home of one of the best-known, low-cost carriers worldwide, it is also a major leasing hub and a key player in the global aviation industry. 

In this quick-start guide, we’ll look at what has made the Irish aviation industry so successful, and how the sector as a whole is gearing up to face future challenges. Let’s get started.  

Ireland as a Global Leasing Hub

According to statistics, around 40% of the world’s aircraft fleet is managed from Ireland, as the country hosts some of the largest aircraft leasing companies worldwide. This is a significant source of income for Ireland, but it also represents a major framework for the world’s aviation industry. 

Focus on Supplier Quality

One of the pillars beyond the Irish aviation industry excellence is the strong emphasis on supplier quality, ensuring that components used in aircraft maintenance and production meet stringent international standards. Although the industry has been growing and expanding over the past years, this focus has remained stable, which helped the industry scale up safely and organically. The Irish aviation industry also works with some of the major suppliers worldwide, including Pilot John International

Pioneering Low-Cost, Safe Flights

Ireland is the home of Ryanair, one of the largest and most successful low-cost carriers worldwide. Ryanair revolutionised air travel in Europe with its budget-friendly approach, which allows millions of travellers each day to travel to new countries, visit families abroad, and secure new deals and job positions. 

However, the Irish aviation industry never lost focus on safety. Today, strict regulatory standards remain the backbone of this sector, and some of the major companies within the sectors continue to implement standards and guidelines to improve passenger and workers safety, such as campaigns to tackle passenger misconduct

Dublin Airport: Growth and New Job Opportunities

According to estimations, the air transport industry, which includes both airlines and the extensive supply chain around them, contribute over US $10.4 billion to the GDP of Ireland. At a glance, these figures speak of the importance of the Dublin airport growth and this expansion over the past years has been essential to provide cities and residents with new income and job opportunities. 

Today, Dublin Airport remains a major international gateway as it continues to grow. In 2023 alone, this hub catered to over 30 million passengers!

4 Factors That Make The Irish Aviation Industry Future-Proof

Above, we’ve looked at what made the Irish aviation industry great. But will this sector be able to stand up to future challenges and industry changes? Looking at the infrastructures and managerial approach in place, the likely answer is yes – here’s how: 

  • Ireland’s aviation schools, like Atlantic Flight Training Academy, are among some of the major training hubs worldwide, and they continuously draw global talent to the country. 
  • The entire industry is strengthened by robust regulations, with major authoritative bodies, like the IAA enforcing high safety and operational standards.
  • Due to the Brexit shift, Ireland has become even more of a hub, with companies relocating after the UK left the EU.
  • The country and industry as a whole are committed to eco-friendly efforts, the reduction of carbon emissions, and limiting the use of fossil fuels.  

Lastly, the whole industry has innovation-friendly policies, which will work as the foundations for future growth and development. 

Innit Audio Launches Freemium Model: Revolutionizing Gaming Soundscapes

Martin Lindgren, CEO of Innit Audio, states, “Our new Freemium model demonstrates Innit’s commitment to making lifelike audio immersion accessible to everyone. Whether you choose our free or Pro option, Innit ensures an unparalleled sound experience that blurs the line between virtual and reality.”
New free core offering

Innit’s free version allows gamers to experience the core features of its revolutionary algorithm without the need for a credit card or account creation. Anyone can now install Innit and enjoy an unforgettable audio experience on any headset and in any game.

Based on new science and understanding of how to process audio, all sounds played through Innit go through sophisticated optimization by Innit’s patented algorithm. This creates time-domain coded sound vectors that add critical missing information, resulting in true 360×360 3D soundscapes and world-leading directional sound placement.
Introducing Innit Pro

While the core Innit offering is now free, the company is also launching new paid options for those who want the best gaming audio environment possible. At the forefront of these new features is the Innit Exclusive mode, which reduces latency between in-game actions and the sound heard in your headset.

Innit Pro also includes Innit’s 7-band Equalizer, enabling users to fine-tune their audio settings for a personalized experience. Gamers will be able to take advantage of pre-made EQ profiles, tailored specifically for the biggest games and most popular headsets, or create their own profiles to ensure an optimal and personalized sound experience. Anyone downloading Innit will get access to Innit Pro for free for 3 months.

Following the free trial, gamers can experience Innit’s new Exclusive Mode, EQ and other premium features for just $3.99/month, $8.99/quarter, $29.99/year, or a one-time purchase of $69.99.

Innit Audio invites everyone to explore this new era of sound immersion. Experience the transformation today by visiting https://innit.audio.

Sound Blaster G8: Versatility Redefined

Creative Technology today proudly announces the release of the Sound Blaster G8, the latest external gaming DAC designed for those seeking a superior listening experience beyond standard audio. Building on the Sound Blaster legacy, the Sound Blaster G8 brings something new to the table as the first external gaming DAC to feature dual USB-C inputs with mixing capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity for users. Coupled with ultra-high-resolution 32-bit/384 kHz playback and a proprietary Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplifier, the Sound Blaster G8 sets to deliver outstanding audio clarity and precision, making it a must-have for gamers, audio enthusiasts, and content creators.

A New Standard in Audio Performance

The Sound Blaster G8 breaks new ground as the first external gaming DAC to offer dual USB-C inputs with mixing, allowing users to connect two devices—such as a PC and console—at the same time without sacrificing audio quality. This handy feature eliminates the need for additional mixing devices, while keeping the desktop space clutter-free.

Unlike most amplifiers on the market, Creative’s proprietary Xamp discrete headphone bi-amplifier drives the left and right headphone channels individually, resulting in a smoother, more detailed audio experience. Boasting a dynamic range of 130 dB, the Sound Blaster G8 brings music, movies, and games to life, letting every subtle sound and explosive moment be heard with remarkable clarity. Additionally, with the ability to support headphones with an impedance range from 16Ω to 600Ω, the Sound Blaster G8 offers exceptional sound quality and connectivity across any setup, whether for everyday listening or with high-end gear.

The Sound Blaster Advantage

For gamers, the Sound Blaster G8 is more than just a sound card—it’s a tool to gain a competitive edge. With the Sound Blaster Acoustic Engine, users can customize audio settings via the Creative App, tailoring everything to their preferences. The 10-band equalizer allows for precise adjustments, from chest-thumping bass to crystal-clear highs, allowing gamers to create a signature sound profile that matches any gameplay.

On the flip side, the Scout Mode boosts critical audio cues like footsteps, giving players an edge in situational awareness, while CrystalVoice technology ensures clear communication by reducing background noise and echo. Plus, the GameVoice Mix feature makes it hassle-free to balance voice chat and game audio for the perfect in-game experience. Mission-critical controls, including SBX acoustic engine/scout mode, DSP/direct mode, headphone/speaker mode, and Game-Voice Mix, are conveniently located on the top panel for quick access.

All-in-One DAC

Connecting devices to the Sound Blaster G8 is also effortless. Users can easily link their gaming console, mobile device, PC, and more via USB-C, enabling seamless audio mixing and streaming. Adding to that, the HDMI ARC makes it easy to integrate into any console setup. And to sweeten the deal, the Sound Blaster G8 comes with support for Dolby Digital, allowing users to experience an immersive soundstage filled with greater depth and realism.

Lastly, the launch of the Sound Blaster G8 strengthens the Sound Blaster G series, offering a comprehensive line-up of gaming DACs designed to cater to diverse needs. With enhanced connectivity options, the Sound Blaster G8 serves as the ideal upgrade for existing Sound BlasterX users, delivering an elevated audio experience that adapts to every gamer’s setup.

Pricing and Availability

Sound Blaster G8 is priced at GBP129.99 and is available at Creative.com.

For more information, visit creative.com/SoundBlasterG8

See our creative reviews 

WELOCK Smart Lock Touch41 Fingerprint Lock Electronic Door Lock review

The WELOCK Touch41 fingerprint smart lock provides multiple unlocking options: via fingerprint, RFID card, or the WELOCK app (available for both iOS and Android). Constructed from stainless steel and zinc alloy, this lock is designed for durability. It boasts a solid feel and an IP65 waterproof rating, making it suitable for most outdoor enclosures that won’t face extreme weather conditions. This smart door lock is compatible with nearly all doors conforming to EU standard sizes and thicknesses ranging from 50mm to 100mm.

Setup Process

Battery Requirements

The kit does not include batteries; it requires three AAA 1.5V batteries. According to the manufacturer, each battery set can support up to 8,000 locking/unlocking operations, equating to a year of use with ten operations per day.

 

App Installation

Setting up the WELOCK app involves scanning a QR code found on the box and the electronic door lock itself. However, users may encounter challenges since the app is not linked to the  Android Play Store, requiring adjustments in phone security settings to allow installation. While the app has over 10,000 downloads,  on the Play store it lacks user ratings or reviews, which could raise concerns. Additionally, my opinion is the primary language of the app is not English, leading to a less-than-optimal user interface experience during setup. Once installed, users can easily add fingerprints and RFID cards for unlocking.

Mechanical Installation

The Touch41 lock is designed for EU standard doors with a thickness of 50-100mm, although other options are available for different regions. I recommend familiarizing yourself with the app before installation to ensure a smooth setup process. The manufacturer claims that installation is a straightforward DIY task taking less than 10 minutes; however, I suggest allowing at least 30 minutes to read through the instructions thoroughly. The installation process is user-friendly once you align the centre screw correctly.

 Installation

 

Features and Performance

The OLED display provides clear feedback on battery status, settings, and alerts for unauthorised access attempts. Note that this setup does not include Wi-Fi remote unlocking capabilities, as that requires a separate gateway kit.

 

Sample error for an unauthorised person via the OLED

Warranty  2-Year warranty

 

Conclusion:

Having previously reviewed another WELOCK model in 2022—the WELOCK Electronic Smart Door Lock Cylinder with Keypad PCB41

I found both models share strengths and weaknesses. While I raised concerns about the app in my earlier review, I also praised the quality of the RFID card setup and overall physical construction. The same holds true for the Touch41 model; despite some mixed messages regarding its IP rating (IP65 vs. IP54), these are minor issues in an otherwise robust product. The quality of materials used in the Touch41 is solid and reliable. Its effective performance during setup is complemented by an easy-to-follow installation guide that allows DIY enthusiasts to handle it without needing professional assistance.

The ability to track door access via the app adds an extra layer of security and convenience. Overall, the WELOCK Smart Lock Touch41 Fingerprint Lock is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their home/office security while enjoying modern technology’s convenience. It effectively keeps unauthorised individuals out while offering multiple access methods tailored to user preferences.

WELOCK touch41 fingerprint smart lock
https://www.welock.com/TECHBL28040
Origin price: 189EUR
Coupon code: DSQ53
Final price: 136EUR

Video Review

Aiden: Fellow’s super-cool coffee machine launches in UK

Fellow, the speciality beverage gear company helping elevate everyday rituals into moments that matter, today announces the UK release of its first-ever drip coffee brewer, Aiden Precision Coffee Maker. Set to change the way at-home coffee is brewed, Aiden is designed for coffee lovers at every stage of their journey, seamlessly blending expert guidance with boundless opportunities for personal coffee exploration.

“Automatic drip coffee has a reputation problem – whether serving a crowd or managing only a few moments of free time, the trade-off for many has been either bad coffee or no coffee at all,” said Jake Miller, Founder and CEO of Fellow. “We designed Aiden to solve this problem. Even the busiest people no longer have to choose between their time and phenomenal coffee.”

Working quickly and at scale, Aiden automatically dials in the most important variables for brewing café-quality coffee at home, coupled with an awe-inspiring design and unmatched convenience.

Key benefits include:

  • Barista-quality coffee (at home): Aiden delivers pour-over quality coffee to ‘favourite café’ quality with to-the-degree temperature control, even water distribution, and a built-in bloom cycle (i.e. pre-wetting the grounds) for a smooth, balanced cup every time.
  • Style & substance: Aidens sleek, contemporary style and prime functionality elevates any kitchen countertop. It features a stainless steel, double-walled wide-mouth carafe (to drink now or later), nearly silent brewing capabilities, a silicone lid seal to eliminate steam from hitting the underside of kitchen cabinets, and a detachable water tank for easy refilling.
  • Unrivalled convenience & guidance: Aiden simplifies making great coffee – with brewing and dose guidance along the way. Whether a coffee brewing beginner or expert, Aiden guides someone through every step to making delicious coffee all from their phone – including selectable water quantity, personalisable brew grind profiles for different roast levels, in-advance brew scheduling, and more.

Founded in 2013 Fellow has won many renowned awards and accolades, including the Specialty Coffee Association Awards, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Dezeen Awards.

For more information on Aiden’s technical specs, please seehere.

Aiden Precision Coffee Maker is now available to pre-order for £365 from Coffee Merch and in-store at Harrods and Selfridges. Customers can enjoy peace of mind with a two-year standard warranty.

For more details, visitwww.fellowproducts.com.

James Dyson Award 2024- final 20 shortlist announced

Today, the James Dyson Award celebrates the best inventions of 2024 by young engineers and designers around the world, as the competition’s Top 20 shortlist is unveiled and in four weeks’ time, on 13th November, someone from this shortlist will be crowned the global winners by Sir James Dyson and win €38,000/ £30,000 in prize money to accelerate their invention.

An Irish woman, Olivia Humphreys, has made the top 20 shortlist this year and is up against some genius inventions to win the top prize.

 The Problem

“ Athena” which has been shortlisted for this year’s James Dyson Award Global Top 20, tackles the problem of current scalp-cooling devices for chemotherapy patients which are not mobile and are scarce in Irish hospitals. Currently there are only a handful across the country meaning many chemo patients do not get the option of using one.

Athena is a portable, thermoelectric battery-operated scalp cooling device for people undergoing chemotherapy treatment which is more cost effective and timesaving than hospital models without compromising on the quality.

Patients can manage the scalp-cooling process themselves- Athena consists of a carry case and a cooling helmet and aims to provide a more accessible, yet effective option for scalp cooling and enables people to spend less time in the hospital on a chemotherapy infusion day.

The Invention

Limerick woman Olivia (24) who is a and recent graduate of the University of Limerick where she studied Product Design and Technology, is now working as a Research and Development Intern at Luminate Medical in Galway working on medical device tech. She was inspired to create Athena having seen her mum go through chemotherapy in hospital a few years ago. Olivia was taken aback by the limited number of scalp-cooling devices available in the hospital as well as the inconvenience of the time it took to commit to this, not being able to move around whilst using industry standard hospital devices, and the time that could be saved with an improved version. This inspired her to create Athena which would be mobile, light to carry and powerful.

Olivia Humphreys now enters the final stage of the James Dyson Award 2024, with global winners to be selected by Sir James Dyson and announced on 13th November. The winning inventions will receive €38,000 to support their further development and commercialisation.

Speaking about Athena, inventor Olivia Humphreys says: “Being recognised by the James Dyson Award has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It reflects the invaluable input I’ve received from patients and care staff that helped me, along with the passion and hard work I have put in to get it to this point. I am truly grateful to have my project acknowledged on such a big stage. It’s exciting to know that the work I’ve done has the potential to make a real impact, and I’m inspired to keep pushing forward.”

Talking about the design of Athena, Olivia says: “This initial prototype for Athena provided a strong foundation to build upon, and I received valuable feedback on things like how to make it more compact by optimising components like the water tank, pump, and battery. I began refining the design into a smaller, lightweight carry case. As I moved forward, the product designer in me started creating more usability-focused prototypes, experimenting with different headpiece configurations and forms to ensure user comfort. The most exciting aspect of Athena is its potential for further development. My early conversations with engineers have been very positive, filled with discussions about ideas and possible tweaks. It’s exciting, there is a lot to be done!”

OTHER NOTABLE ENTRIES WHO MADE THE TOP 20 INCLUDED:

Pyri (from the UK)

In 2023, wildfires caused over 300 deaths and cost $50bn  globally. Pyri is a bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system for remote and low-cost widespread coverage. The heat from nascent wildfires activates Pyri’s novel organic electronics which emit a radio frequency signal to alert vulnerable communities. Designed for remote, unprepared, vulnerable communities, and beyond.

These young inventors of Pyri, are a team comprised of Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn and Tanghao Yu (aged between 24 and 33). They met while studying a double masters in Innovation Design Engineering at Imperial College and the Royal College of Art in London. The group came to their course from different backgrounds and with different experiences, making it a dynamic and diverse team.

Having applied for a patent in July 2024, the team at Pyri worked tirelessly to produce over 20 experimental prototypes, testing and re-creating continuously to produce the device they have today. Richard, Blake, Tanghao and Karina worked on numerous iterations of Pyri and spent months working on power and trigger concepts, as well as exploring over 46 material combinations to create this problem-solving invention.

PulpaTronics (from the UK)

Over 40bn RFID tags are produced annually with most ending up in landfills, wasting resources and energy, increasing CO2 emissions and e-waste. PulpaTronics unlocks more sustainable and accessible inventory management solutions utilizing chipless RFID technology featuring fully recyclable paper RFID tags for a more circular economy. Recent graduates and students Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So and Adonis Christodoulou invented PulpaTronics to solve this problem of waste in the fashion industry with a more sustainable solution. O

The novel technology replaces the metal antenna by laser-inducing a carbon-based conductive material onto paper. Using a chipless design, these tags store information in the geometric pattern of the conductor instead of a microchip. The team at PulpaTronics filed a US patent in October 2023 and a UK patent in March 2024 which are currently pending, and they are looking to internationalise them in the near future.

The team at PulpaTronics see their sustainable RFID tags as the vehicle to enable item-level tracking. They will be testing the performance of their tags in a real-world environment through two pilots early next year. Once the two pending patents are approved, they also look to license out the technology so that they can integrate the laser heads directly into the production line, streamlining manufacturing even more to scale up quickly. They are also working towards developing prototype tags to carry out initial trials with a few large retailers.

The Top 20 Shortlist

Invention Solution Inventor(s) Country
Air Ring 48 A helmet cooling accessory to protect construction workers from heat stress. Yu To Mak, Ze Fu Jeff Li, Jing Hymn Joseph Wong Hong Kong SAR
Airxeed Radiosonde A controllable flap to steer a radiosonde back to be reused after weather measurement. Shane Kyi Hla Win, Danial Sufiyan Bin Shaiful Singapore
Athena A portable post-chemotherapy scalp cooling device. Olivia Humphreys Ireland
Cap Snap A medical multi-tool for safe crimp seal cap removal and ampoule breaking. Jack Pugh New Zealand
Co-Jump An ergonomic and AI-based stroke rehabilitation glove. Li Yuanjing, Zhan Jing, Guan Shunzi, Yu Tianlin, Li Junkai, Qian Qingyun, Wei Yi China
Concavix An adaptive mouse for users with underdeveloped hands. Jonathan Lopez Calderon, Raúl Hernandez, María de Lourdes Zaldívar Martínez Mexico
DysphagiaDynamics A portable, non-invasive dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation system. Zhu Zhaopeng, He Qi China
finGrip A catheter system for users with low dexterity or wheelchairs. Philipp Niechoj Austria
Flying ear pressure regulator A pressure-adjusting product that relieves ear discomfort during airplane take-offs and landings. Yi-Shan Zheng, Wen-Yeh Hsaio-Lin Taiwan
Mammosense A mammogram sensor to enhance comfort during breast cancer screenings. Luke Goh Singapore
Moii An Airway Clearance Therapy training kit for adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis. Yuchen Lan Sweden
OcularSky An affordable, smartphone-based fundus camera. Houssam Hammoud, Mohammad Yaman Al Aref, Mohamad Hammoud, Mayar Jabouli, Wessam Shehieb UAE
Oxynizer A non-electric oxygen generator for developing countries. Kyeongho Park, Jiwon Lee, Jiwon Kim, Yeohyun Jung, Seung-Jun Lee South Korea
Peter A wearable biomedical device for Parkinson’s Disease patients with freezing of gait. Jonathan Fisher United Kingdom
PulpaTronics A recyclable paper-based RFID clothing tag. Adonis Christodoulou, Barna Soma Biro, Chloe So United Kingdom
Pyri A bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system. Richard Alexandre, Karina Gunadi, Blake Goodwyn, Tanghao Yu United Kingdom
Social Plast An affordable plastic recycling system. Johannes Kastner Germany
Sorbet An acoustic panel made from shredded textile waste. Sze Yek Australia
TAILWIND A cooling construction helmet designed to create airflow. Youngki Kim, Jisu Kim, HyeonJun So, Seunghun Jeong South Korea
The Reef An ecological filter to counteract blue-green algae boom in water bodies. Anton Vervoort Belgium

Bo M – The World’s Safest And Most Stylish e-Scooter, comes to Ireland

Bo, maker and developer of the world’s safest and stylish urban micro-mobility vehicle, announces its first international expansion into Ireland, one of Europe’s most progressive transport nations with Lifty Electrics confirmed as the official Dublin based retailer and service centre.

Bo co-founder and CEO Oscar Morgan said; “Whilst the UK sadly lags behind much of the world in legalising the use of e-Scooters on the public roads, Ireland has taken that exciting first step in embracing a new era in how we travel through cities such as Dublin”.

He continued: “Since Ireland announced the legalisation of e-Scooters back in May 2024 we have been making regular visits to meet riders in Dublin and Cork. With production of the Bo M now in full flow, we are excited to announce Dublin as our first direct expansion into an international market”. 

In 2024, the Irish Government cemented Dublin’s status as a hub for progressive transport solutions, making it the ideal first international market for Bo’s expansion. The passing of The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 created a new vehicle class for e-scooters called powered personal transporters and legalised their use on public roads from the 20th May 2024. Dublin was carefully selected for Bo’s expansion due to the city’s forward-thinking urban mobility strategies, including efforts to reduce car use, the recent legalisation of electric scooters, and its extensive bike lane infrastructure. The Irish National Transport Authority has, however, just introduced legislation restricting e-scooters from public transport, applying brakes to the wider sector, but not for the bo M which is designed for end to end journeys, with it’s exceptional riding dynamics, extended range, and lifestyle enhancing features, like Lock and Load.

Bo exists to create the single best way to travel in the city. Over the past four years, the Bo M has been painstakingly designed and engineered to reach this ambition.

Bo was founded by two engineers, formerly of Williams F1 Advanced Engineering, and a Jaguar Land Rover designer, giving the company a fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics and manufacturing, which has been uniquely applied to the Bo M, the first product in a transformative range of Bo lightweight electric vehicles.

The Bo M showcases a ground-up focus on robust and intuitive features, designed in order to improve every urban journey. It utilises the ultra-tough fixed Monocurve Chassis and the unique patented Bo SafesteerTM technology to create a confidence-inspiring ride, combined with category-leading motor torque and power ratings, plus novel functional innovations to deliver the most sophisticated urban riding experience of its kind.

 

Monocurve Chassis and Design

Bo’s unique Monocurve chassis represents a foundational shift in vehicle design and engineering – the single greatest sector advancement since electric scooters arrived in our cities. The Monocurve chassis is a single piece of high strength Aluminium, from the handlebars to the wheels, which not only benefits the ride by providing the most solid and planted ride feeling in its class, but also seamlessly integrates all of the features into a singular beautiful form.

These intuitive, unbroken lines of the Monocurve chassis create the first unibody structure in this sector, designed to true automotive principles, seamlessly combining function with design. The design allows for the steering to be separated from the chassis, forming a robust mounting point for the Lock and Load cargo solution whilst also providing a stable platform for Bo riders.

Bo co-founder and CTO Harry Wills, said; “We want to make wobbly e-scooters a thing of the past so intentionally designed the Bo M with an unbroken Monocurve unibody chassis to provide the most robust, confidence-inspiring ride experience possible. We’ve equipped the M with technology we have  developed from the ground up that truly enhances the urban riding experience, day or night, rain or shine, hilly or flat. From the occasional rider who needs to nip into town, to the super commuter riding 30km everyday, the Bo M establishes itself as the most dependable, mature urban vehicle“.

The precision engineering approach is equally evident on the Bo M’s geometry, which is optimised for stability and ergonomics. Technical features include a wider handlebar at 580mm, a generous 930mm wheelbase for noticeably more standing room and relaxed riding handling, and a 76-degree steering angle for naturally controlled dynamics.

Bo co-founder and CCO, Luke Robus said; “We believe in the pursuit of simplicity. Form working in harmony with function to create sculptural lines that are as exciting to ride as they are to look at. From the early sketches to prototypes and through to the production vehicles, the M’s lines come together without complication. This is testament to the rigorousness of our first-class engineering team integrating all the technology we’ve packed into the M. Never cluttering, or getting in the way of the product’s purpose, instead celebrating this new found simplicity with a design language you’ll see in evidence across the range of lightweight EVs we have planned for the future”.

Bo SafesteerTM

SafesteerTM technology is a world-first in micro-mobility vehicles, a dynamic steering stabilisation system developed by Bo to set the benchmark for control and inspire rider confidence. This patented technology, fully integrated within the Bo chassis, assists and stabilises the steering through bumps, dips and potholes to keep the rider in perfect comfort and control. Novice and experienced riders often cite stability as their primary concern when riding over mixed terrain. Bo’s Safesteer™ technology gives a seamless, stable ride and builds confidence at every turn, allowing everyone to enjoy the ride and carve down the road.

SafesteerTM delivers the smoothest and most stable ride while at the same time achieving a new benchmark in mechanical simplicity and reliability. The system is based on opposing force from a pair of bespoke wound torsion springs, housed within a unique Bo mechanism that delivers predictable steering correction up to a 50 degree turn angle. This system works to recreate the natural centering dynamic of a larger wheel and smooth the ride to give Bo riders an exceptional, natural riding experience every time.

All-Weather Capable

Bo M is designed to be our riders’ go to urban vehicle no matter the weather or time of day. The electrical components throughout are a minimum of IP66 waterproof while the high quality pneumatic tyres ensure the maximum grip possible. Bo M features a powerful, low maintenance braking system, with a regenerative e-brake located in the rear wheel, controlled by the left brake lever, adding energy back into the battery under braking and a front sealed drum brake controlled by the right brake lever. The two brake levers give the rider highly intuitive control over which brake to use and when, depending on the situation and the desired feel.  

Bo’s distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) wraps around the Monocurve chassis to create the Light Halo, a world-first in the sector, which delivers 270-degree light visibility. This signature design dramatically increases road presence and awareness from other road users by ensuring both the Bo M and rider are visible from every angle. Complementing the Light Halo, a powerful headlight with up to 800 lumens from three temperature-controlled LED lights housed in an aluminium enclosure, illuminates the road ahead, while a wide-angle high-lumen rear light keeps riders visible from behind in all weathers, flashing brightly under braking.

Performance

Showcasing a blend of performance and elegance, the Bo powertrain features a high torque motor (38Nm), providing a peak power output of 1,200W and a top speed of up to 35 km/h (21 mph) (limited to 20 km/h for Irish compliance), with a battery capacity of 672Wh delivering a range of 50km. The Bo team is based out of Bristol, a famously hilly city in the UK, and ensuring impressive hill-climbing performance was a core requirement of the powertrain development programme. The bespoke high current electric motor has been optimised for strongest mid-range torque, maximising efficiency across the broadest rpm-range possible, and the precision throttle map allows for excellent control of output of power and responsiveness. Tested on hills up to 25 degrees, this performance specification results in silent, controllable acceleration, with the necessary power to take on the most challenging of roads.

Lock and Load

Bo’s all new Lock and Load system is incorporated within the Monocurve Chassis and features dual purpose revolving hooks that act as both secure locking points for the vehicle as well as stable cargo carrying solution. With the hooks mounted through the core structure of the chassis, cargo of up to 10kg can be securely carried, negating the need to hang anything on the handlebars or risking bag swing disrupting the steering, increasing the safety, control and comfort of each ride. The forged hooks are at the optimal height for locking to bike racks or railings, enhancing the physical security when locking up in town.

Airdeck

Introducing an intelligent, lightweight and invisible comfort system, the Airdeck, an engineered elastomer footpad, has been created from 11mm EVA anti-vibration foam based on the same material technology found in high performance running trainers. The lightweight deck panel is tuned to reduce road vibrations, removing the need for complex, heavy and largely ineffective suspension systems and increasing the riders comfort on longer rides by isolating the feet from any vibrations that result from the road surface.

Pricing and Availability

Customers can order the Bo M from https://bo.world/pages/select-your-bo starting Wednesday 16th October and in-store at Lifty Electrics, 157 Capel St, Dublin. The Bo M is available in silver for €2,349.

Additional details can be found at https://bo.world/pages/bo-m

PixelCable Pro 240W App-Controlled Magnetic Charging Cable with Smart Display

Bored of your standard charging cable? Fear not mobfree are back with a new iteration of their Pixel Cable and it is called Pixel Cable Pro this time faster and better.

Offering a bigger display faster charging and data transfer this one is a must have for those who took up the first version we reviewed.

PixelCable Pro is equipped with the latest USB Power Delivery 3.1 Technology,boasting a nominal maximum power transfer capability of 240W. Equipped with the E-mark smart chip, PixelCable Pro guarantees safe and rapid charging for a diverse array of devices, ranging from wireless earbuds, smartphones to power-hungry laptops. It can charge your MacBook Pro 16″ to 56% in just 30 minutes, effortlessly giving the full potential of all your USB-C devices.

This advanced chip facilitates optimal power flow, effectively adjusting the current to match your device’s specific requirements. So not only does your device charge swiftly, but it also stays protected against potential damage from overcharging or overheating.

The OLED display gives at-a-glance info on your phone’s actual battery level without having to wake up the screen. Keep tabs on power with the clear display and get on with your day.

QCharge App

PixelCable enables fast data transmission up to 480mbps. 1G file can be transferred within 24 seconds.Short or long, you can curl PixelCable Pro to any size you want. Simply extend it for full length (5ft cable) or coil it to save space — the choice is yours. This built-in magnetic coil technology allows the cable to almost wrap itself into a neat and tidy shape that will stay wound without the need for velcro straps or other restraints.

Everytime when you connect your device, PixelCable Pro will greet you with start-up animation. You can choose the start-up animation from the preset images. The movement speed and direction can also be changed. You can also upload your own images to DIY your customised start-up animation.

This magnetic charging cable is suitable for all occasions, whether at home, in the office or in the car. Unlock more ways to use. The possibilities are endless.

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