Starcom jumps after providing tracking technology for electric motorcycle

Starcom climbed on Tuesday after confirming that its Helios tracking and monitoring technology is incorporated in a newly launched electric motorcycle made by leading electric vehicle manufacturer, Zero Motorcycles.

The AIM-traded company has worked with Zero for 18 months on the SR/F, which is described in Internet of Things (IoT) terms as the "first connected motorcycle in the world", before the vehicle's simultaneous launch in Amsterdam and New York on Monday.

The bike utilises the Helios monitoring system so that both Zero and the rider can track the motorcycle's condition in terms of various parameters, including range, battery utilisation and location, while it also allows Zero to perform software upgrades to the battery and engine management systems remotely, thus potentially prolonging the life of the propulsion system.

Avi Hartmann, chief executive of Starcom, said: "This collaborative agreement is another example of how the technology developed by Starcom is being adapted for use in many new sectors. Our Helios unit is incorporated into each motorcycle during the build and we have had to develop a higher specialised and customised product for Zero to fit their purpose; a process which we believe will open more doors for us in the new market of communications to vehicles."

Zero will purchase the Helios units from Starcom as part of its production process and online SaaS will be included free to the bike owner at Zero's cost for the first two years, with an option for the bike owner to connect directly to Starcom's global tracking system for a monthly fee thereafter.

Initial sales of the motorcycle are expected to be relatively low in 2019 but the directors of the company consider that there is a significant growth opportunity in later years as the market for electric motorbikes increases.

Starcom's shares were up 7.93% at 1.51p at 1342 GMT.