Joris, an urban planner from Amsterdam, is a passionate advocate for the e-bike revolution. He saw his city transforming as people ditched their cars for smarter, greener transportation. But he also saw new problems emerge: a surge in expensive e-bike thefts and the daily risks of commuting in heavy traffic.
His vision was to create a single, elegant solution that would solve the two biggest fears of the modern e-bike commuter: security and safety. He envisioned a smart backpack that would not only carry a commuter’s essentials but would also protect their bike and make them more visible to traffic.
The Challenge: The Complex Integration
Joris’s idea was a sophisticated hybrid product that needed to be three things at once: a secure anti-theft device, a piece of smart wearable technology, and a premium, all-weather commuter bag. The challenge was one of complex integration:
Smart Textiles: How to find and work with advanced, slash-proof, and waterproof fabrics that were also stylish?
Integrated Electronics: How to seamlessly weave a GPS tracker, a battery, and a remote-controlled LED light system into a soft-goods product?
Durable Hardware: How to design and manufacture a custom locking mechanism that was both secure and easy to use?
Our Process: Your Integrated Product Team
ProtoFlow acted as Joris’s integrated R&D, engineering, and supply chain department, taking on the challenge of merging three different manufacturing worlds into one.
1. The Product Definition Lab: Designing for the Commuter
We began by diving into the mind of the serious e-bike commuter.
Community Analysis: We analyzed discussions on Reddit’s r/ebikes and European cycling forums. The data was overwhelming: the two most dominant topics were theft prevention and road safety/visibility.
Defining the “Amsterdam Commuter Pack”: In a workshop with Joris, we defined the product’s three core features: a body made of slash-proof fabric, a secure dock with a GPS tracker that locks the bag to the bike, and integrated LED turn signals and brake lights controlled by a wireless handlebar remote.
2. The Supply Chain Refinery: A Symphony of Specialists
This product could not exist without a mastery of multiple, distinct supply chains.
The “Armor” from Fujian: For the backpack’s shell, we partnered with a specialist in Fujian that produces technical fabrics for high-end adventure and military gear. This ensured the bag was rugged, waterproof, and slash-proof.
The “Brains” from Shenzhen: For the electronics, we worked with an IoT solutions provider in Shenzhen. They developed the low-power GPS tracker, the wireless remote protocol, and the custom-shaped, high-visibility LED light panels.
The “Bones” from Yongkang: For the critical locking mechanism that attached the bag to the bike, we partnered with a hardware expert in Yongkang. They helped engineer a custom lock that was both strong and lightweight.
ProtoFlow’s role was to be the central nervous system for this entire operation, ensuring the electronics from Shenzhen could be seamlessly integrated into the technical bag from Fujian and connect perfectly with the lock from Yongkang.
3. The Content Launchpad: A Strategy of Safety & Security
The marketing strategy focused on demonstrating how the product solves the commuter’s biggest fears.
YouTube “Torture Tests”: We planned a launch with popular e-bike and tech YouTubers who could authentically test the product’s features—demonstrating the slash-proof fabric, testing the lock, and showcasing the brightness of the LED signals in real-world traffic.
Targeted PR: The strategy was to target tech publications like Wired with the smart features and cycling magazines with the product’s utility and safety aspects.
The Result: A New Standard in Commuter Gear
Joris came to us with a brilliant solution for a modern problem. ProtoFlow provided the deep, multi-layered supply chain expertise to bring his complex vision to life. He now has a category-defining product that addresses the most critical needs of a massive and growing global market.
