Gbike, led by CEO Jong-soo Yoon and operator of the electric scooter-sharing service platform 'Gcooter', announced on the 22nd that it has expanded into Thailand and is now embarking on a full-scale global market strategy with its entry into the United States.
Gcooter completed the establishment of an overseas corporation in the United States early this year and is currently conducting a pilot operation in LA. Plans are to extend the service to New York soon, focusing on researching the local urban spatial structure, traffic patterns, and usage characteristics during the pilot period, with the aim to officially launch services in LA and New York within the year.
Currently, the United States is the world's leading nation in the electric scooter-sharing market, with the shared PM rapidly spreading across major western cities since 2017. Additionally, various pilot programs in Portland and San Francisco have suggested the potential of shared electric scooters as a next-generation means of transportation that can contribute to a sustainable traffic system.
The global service name for Gcooter is Glide. Glide is introduced as embodying the characteristics of a first-last mile mode of transportation that aids in seamless and smooth travel to one's desired destination.
<Eric Adams, Mayor of New York, and Jong-soo Yoon, CEO of Gbike>
In addition, Gcooter plans to highlight its differentiated strengths, such as hardware technology and mobility R&D capabilities, as its successful entry strategy into the US. For instance, plans include using Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) technology in scooters to ensure riders' safety and solve parking issues.
AIoT is equipped with two cameras and an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS), which can analyze the surrounding environment, predict accidents, and automatically control the device.
This means that it can automatically slow down when it detects a rider in danger, guide proper parking by detecting parking spots that cause inconvenience for traffic, and can be used to remotely respond to emergency situations in the event of an accident, as explained by Gcooter.
Jason Kim, head of Gbike USA Inc., stated, "Launching services in the United States, the birthplace of shared scooters and the leading global PM market, is a heavy responsibility. Expect the prowess of the K-platform and K-operation style, showcasing the operational know-how and advanced data analysis capabilities of Asia's number one Gcooter, beyond Asia in the North American global mobility market."
Meanwhile, in Korea, amidst various regulations and rapidly changing market conditions where many foreign companies are leaving, Gcooter, as the largest shared PM business in the country, solidified its position as the market leader with over 50 million cumulative rides as of June 2022.
