Bird unveils innovative e-scooter Battery Management System

Credit: Bird

Bird Global, Inc. has shared new details about its innovative Battery Management System (BMS), which helps to power millions of micro-electric vehicle (EV) trips globally. By designing and implementing IP68-rated lithium-ion battery cell packs in its latest vehicles – which is the industry’s highest rating for protection against damage from dust and liquids – the company has raised the bar on micro-EV battery safety and technology in the micro-mobility industry.

“Innovation and safety are at the core of everything that we develop at Bird. In this case, it’s innovating on the products and systems that provide everyone, from riders to city partners, with the best vehicles and experiences,” said Bird’s Chief Vehicle Officer, Scott Rushforth. “Our state-of-the-art battery management system provides real-time monitoring and feedback to help to ensure that our vehicles remain ready to get riders from point A to B and reduce reliance on gas-powered car trips.”

As the electrification of cars and micro-vehicles continue to become more prevalent, it is extremely vital to improve safety through battery design. Thus, Bird has introduced its BMS and architecture for battery cells to the market. Paired with components from suppliers such as LG and Panasonic, these innovations have undergone extensive testing in Bird’s research and development centre through simulations – which span events that impact batteries, including extreme temperatures, humidity and vibrations – to help to increase battery longevity and safety regardless of external conditions. 

Bird’s BMS is designed to mitigate failure modes, common with lithium-ion batteries, and to help to keep riders and communities safe. The system features all of the functionality of a BMS found in full-size electric cars, including cell monitoring, reporting, rebalancing and anomaly detection.

Furthermore, the BMS provides real-time diagnostics that measure battery conditions like humidity levels and temperature to avoid pushing cells beyond their rated capacity. If abnormalities are detected, Bird’s operations team is notified so that they can immediately remove the vehicle from public use. The system aims to maintain safety and performance regardless of changing conditions, such as areas with inclines or declines, by continuously calculating the maximum allowable charge and discharge based on temperature, voltage and other sensor parameters. 

Additionally, data capture enables Bird’s Operations and Engineering teams to analyse historical statistics, as well as monitor diagnostics and performance across large fleets of vehicles. These inputs help to identify potential issues and inform future battery and vehicle innovations and advancements. 

Bird is committed to battery protection, and the development of its BMS marks another milestone to achieving safety and sustainability for Bird riders and communities.