There is a lack of convenience, versatility, and sustainability in current biking experiences, particularly in urban commuting and recreational activities. Traditional cargo trailers are cumbersome to attach to bikes and add significant weight to the ride. Many people want electrified bikes instead of cars, but cannot afford full cargo options.

At MotorMule, our journey to develop the first MVP of our motorized bike trailer began with a keen understanding of the shifting socioeconomic landscape towards sustainable mobility solutions and active ideation sessions. Recognizing transportation as a significant contributor to climate change, we conducted extensive field research with eBike enthusiasts and eCargo bike users. This research revealed a market gap for a versatile and affordable solution priced between €1,000 and €4,000, targeting a sweet spot of around €1,500.

Our user story highlighted a common dilemma faced by families: the inefficiency of owning multiple eCargo bikes for different daily tasks.

• Every morning the wife brings the kids to school by eCargo bike and the dad bikes to work with his racebike. At 16:30, after work, the dad is tasked to pick their children up from school. However, he faces to common dilemma: do I go all the way home first to get our eCargo bike, or should we just invest into a second eCargo bike?
• Here is the alternative solution: MotorMule. Why not have a shared eTrailer for your bike. The wife can take the kids to school with any bike she prefers by attaching the eTrailer, and leave the MotorMule locked at school. Dad, once finished with work, can take his fancy new race bike, pick up his MotorMule eTrailer at school, and bike his kids back home with ease.

Throughout the prototyping phase, we explored various configurations to optimize the trailer’s modularity, versatility, and ergonomic design, ensuring it could easily attach to any bike without additional adjustments.

This rigorous process not only refined our product but also laid the groundwork for diverse business model possibilities, ensuring MotorMule can revolutionize the biking experience for all. These include platform integration with existing ride-sharing services, direct sale to consumers for recreational multi-use, or as a last-mile delivery solution for companies.

The current MVP represents a technical proof of concept. By motorising a bike trailer, testing the sensors, and programming the motor control system, the feasibility of nullifying a heavy bike trailer is being proven. It also incorporates the custom-made clamping mechanism that attaches to any bike in seconds through a purely mechanical connection. This ensures that no wires or any other bike adjustments are necessary. Thus, a POC has been established through this MVP.

To validate the concept with actual users, various case studies and user tests are warranted. Based on these tests, a second prototype iteration will be made, focusing on designing the structural elements of the trailer and making a custom hub motor. Next to this, the application modules will be conceptualised and functionally designed.

To balance convenience, versatility and sustainability at a more affordable price point than cargo-bikes, a fully weightless bicycle trailer is developed! Through a smart motorisation system, the trailer can easily be attached to any bike. With the modular platform, the trailer is easily adaptable to any application scenario, from grocery/kid carrying to portable bars for summer picnics.

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Pitch Deck: MotorMule_GeneralPitchDeck.pptx

Modularity

Interoperability and Quick Sharing

Business Model(s)

Business model validation is part of the immediate next steps for this startup. Through user testing with the MVP prototype, and some more extensive field research, the various possible application directions are explored and ranked.

Possible business models that warrant the highest potential are as following: 

1. Last-mile delivery solution for retailers and distributors, providing a green mobility solution for delivering small and medium-sized goods to the homes of consumers.
2. Personal use, either through direct ownership by individuals or through the integration with peer-to-peer ride sharing platforms
3. Industrial, spare parts and small good transportation across manufacturing facilities