Neuron launches new augmented reality parking assistant for e-scooters

Neuron Mobility has announced the introduction of a new augmented reality (AR) parking assistant to improve riders’ parking behaviour and end-of-trip experience. The feature has been designed to complement GPS by using Google’s ARCore Visual Positioning System (VPS) to enhance parking compliance in select cities with Neuron’s designated parking model.

When activated, the AR Parking Assistant prompts riders to use their mobile phone camera to scan their surroundings through the Neuron app. The scanned images are then compared against Google’s Street View database to determine the precise location. If riders are not within a designated parking station, the system will direct them to the nearest one before they can end their trip.

The new feature is integrated with Neuron’s end-of-trip photo feature, which requires riders to take a picture of their parked e-scooter to ensure that it is parked upright and in the correct manner. These combined features aim to more precisely control where and how Neuron’s e-scooters are parked in the city, resulting in increased user experience and parking compliance.

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The AR Parking Assistant had undergone user testing in early 2023 in several cities worldwide and is now available in Perth, Busselton and select areas of Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia. The technology has been well-received by riders, and cities where it has been introduced have seen over 95% parking compliance.

Neuron’s designated parking model ensures that riders can only end their trip at one of the many convenient parking stations that are located throughout the service area. This model aims to reduce clutter and ensure that e-scooters are not left in random locations, which can be hazardous to pedestrians and create visual pollution.

The introduction of the AR Parking Assistant represents a significant step towards improving riders’ parking behaviour and end-of-trip experience, while also addressing concerns about e-scooter clutter in cities.