Through history with Martin Kyburz

Find out in this article how Cheetah fared in the race from Kassel to Berlin.

29.03.2021, MK

The document is in German.

The speed of a KYBURZ mail delivery vehicle can be effortlessly controlled with the throttle grip. It can accelerate quickly and decelerate slowly. When the driver releases the throttle, the electronics recuperate mechanical movement energy into electrical battery energy. The ePedelec behaves in the same way, except that the throttle is replaced by the rider's powerful pedalling.

With little effort, a cyclist can cover longer distances by using his or her own kinetic energy and letting his or her bike coast along. When the journey cannot be continued, such as when the rider sees a closed level crossing in the distance, coasting can be initiated from a great distance.

The ePedelec rider would like to do the same. But how do the brake electronics realise that the rider does not want to brake his vehicle abruptly, but to coast? How do the electronics notice that the postman has jumped away from the ePedelec for the time-optimised filling of letterboxes and brings the 500 kg vehicle to a safe standstill?

A freewheel button on the left handlebar grip makes it possible. The button can be kept activated comfortably - even for a long time - without any effort. The electronics then know that the rider wants to let his vehicle coast to a halt when the button is pressed.

Sophisticated programming ensures that the braking process is initiated immediately in the event of contradictory operations (pressed freewheel button and tapping a handbrake). It also ensures that the downhill freewheel can never pick up speed in excess of the legally permitted 25 km/h.

The safety of the driver and all other road users is thereby maintained at all times.

25.03.2021, HPE

Before the first Lockdown in spring, UNREPA came up with the idea of developing a washable and thus reusable mask. This mask was to set new standards in terms of protection and wearing comfort. The LIVIPRO Community Mask was the result of intensive development.

A team of various experts developed the multi-layer fabric mask under the direction of Pascal Eggman, the founder of the company UNREPA. The result is a special fabric (Liquid Virus Protection) that has antiviral, antibacterial and skin-friendly properties. The LIVIPRO Community Mask is a genuine quality product that is sustainably produced in Switzerland. In the meantime, the mask has been used thousands of times in everyday life and protects its users and their environment. Nevertheless, the mask is constantly being further developed.

Employees can order one of these masks free of charge from their supervisor.

The deadline for ordering is 1 April 2021 (no joke!).

Good to know:

One of the first big customers is the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW where Prof. Ernest Weingartner has been researching aerosols for many years. He found that the LIVIPRO face mask achieved real protection against viruses and bacteria. For the winter season, the company also launched a ski mask, which was rated the test winner on "SRF Kassensturz".

UNREPA AG is a young Swiss company with drive and inventive spirit, which wants to contribute to more sustainability through intelligent products.

25.03.2021, SL 

The lithium iron phosphate batteries perform well and reliably in KYBURZ vehicles. Depending on the battery, eight to 16 cells are installed in the three-wheel vehicles (26V). In the eRod there are 30 cells (96V). Despite industrial production, there are slight differences in the individual cells. The battery management system (BMS) monitors the cells and compensates for the deviations.

The battery management system protects the cells from under- and overvoltage by sending a signal to the controller and the charger to switch off if the voltage of a cell is outside the permissible range (2.5 - 3.95V). If cells reach the voltage of 3.65V during charging, the BMS starts to limit the voltage of this cell by discharging it very slightly. Thus, after charging, all cells have exactly 3.65V. This process of balancing the cells can take some time.

The BMS consists of two components: The battery unit (BE) measures, discharges the individual cells during balancing and transmits signals to the evaluation unit (AE). A green and a red LED are installed on each of the battery units to indicate the status of the cell. Green means that the voltage of the cell is within the permissible range of 2.5 - 3.95V. Red means that the voltage of the cell is above the end-of-charge voltage of 3.65V and balancing is active.

The evaluation unit today is integrated in the FVP print, regulates the disconnection and passes on signals to the control unit.

25.03.2021, DH

The document is in German.

Every manufactured vehicle has a unique chassis number. Officially, it is called FIN (vehicle identification number) or VIN (vehicle identification number) and is unique worldwide. However, there is a lot of information hidden in this 17-digit number/letter code:

"TC" stands for a producer from Switzerland, "K" for KYBURZ. In Switzerland, we then use 61 for a "small motorbike tricycle" (45 km/h) or 71 for a "wheelchair for the disabled" (up to 30 km/h). 67 stands for the type DXP (the DXS is approved as a DXP). The 8th and 9th digits describe the variant (short/long chassis, sloping or straight loading area at the front). The tenth digit is the year of manufacture (L = 2020, M=2021, etc.).

Even the manufacturer's plant is marked! In the eleventh digit:
6=Industriestrasse
7=Fir Street
8=Freienstein
The last six digits give the consecutive number, which is unique for each vehicle.

26.03.2021, DH

The sustainability team has received reinforcement.

Werner works one day a week and supports the preparation of 2nd life material for reassembly or second-hand sales.

Tim works 60% in the sustainability team. He tests the battery storage units for faults, which ensures the safety of the installer and the customer.

25.03.2021, DH

Horw is a small town with around 13,000 inhabitants in the canton of Lucerne. It offers KYBURZ the perfect base for servicing a large fleet of postal vehicles and is centrally located for customers in the region.

Claude Joller, Head of Service Centre Central Switzerland, acts as a hub between KYBURZ headquarters in Freienstein, local post offices and private customers. He maintains and repairs a fleet of around 600 Swiss Post vehicles and will soon be assisted by an electrical mechanic.

Customers in the Central Switzerland region can thus count not only on high-quality service and optimised response time but above all on a person who is convinced of the advantages of electric drive and wants to make them available to as many customers as possible.

For example, Claude did not hesitate to offer his services and know-how for the electrification of a boat belonging to the SSH sailing school in Beinwil am See. The aim is to be able to offer boat testing with a minimum of noise pollution and a reduction in pollution of the lake. The boat will be equipped with key components such as 2nd life batteries and KYBURZ steering instruments. These will be installed with the help and supervision of Claude. Claude has experience in electrifying boats. He has designed one himself and built it with his own hands. There is no doubt that this experience on the water will open new perspectives for the development of electric propulsion for KYBURZ.

22.03.2021, ERN

Address:
Central Switzerland
Claude Joller
Altsagenstrasse 20
6048 Horw

Good to know:

Test vehicles are also available for interested parties/private customers at the KYBURZ location in Horw.

Trajan Stoilov is our service partner in North Macedonia and has already brought some 2nd Life vehicles to North Macedonia, where they are now in use. Some may know him - he worked in the 2nd Life department for a few weeks in spring 2020. Martin Mathis had a chat with Trajan Stoilov.

Martin Mathis: Who are you?

Trajan Stoilov: I am originally from northern Macedonia and worked here in Switzerland for 20 years in the catering industry in service. After that, I ran the canteen in a foundation for people with disabilities. I live in Windisch AG and have a family with three grown-up children and a lazy dog.

Martin: How did you come to KYBURZ?

Trajan: My neighbour in Switzerland distributed magazines with such a tricycle. I was interested in where this vehicle came from and so I found my way to KYBURZ in Freienstein.

Martin: What are the DXPs used for in northern Macedonia?

Trajan: The few vehicles there are in private use. One DXP is used to transport bread and pastries from one bakery to another. The trailer has a normal "front door" at the back. So you have a large volume for a lot of goods. Furthermore, I have built a road train based on the Australian model. In my DXP-train, up to four trailers can be hitched together. It is suitable for transporting grapes or even people. So I can drive up to six persons slowly through my town Strumica. Driving with two fully loaded trailers is no problem.

Martin: Do you think that North Macedonia will distribute mail with the DXP in the future?

Trajan: It is very difficult to say at the moment because the local post office is bankrupt and the delivery business has been taken over by various private companies.

A private company could possibly use the KYBURZ vehicles.

Where I also see a possibility is for police patrol in the inner cities, as I have good relations with the local police authority.

Martin: Why do you like the KYBURZ vehicles so much?

Trajan: You can modify the vehicles very well to suit your needs and they are sturdy and well built, so they are best suited for our rough roads. In addition, I have come to know the KYBURZ company as very open and friendly and I always enjoy coming to Freienstein. Soon I will be able to finish the training I started to become a Service Partner B.

16.03.2021, MM

Erza Mehmeti: How long have you been with KYBURZ?

Claudio Realini: I have been with KYBURZ for exactly 2 years.

Erza: How did you find KYBURZ?

Claudio: It was a funny coincidence. I was living in Newcastle, Australia in 2018 and I came across people speaking Swiss German while shopping - rather a rarity in Newcastle. It was Joris Bettler and his girlfriend who were setting up the Australia Business at the time. That's how I found out that KYBURZ had a project there and the contact was made. A year and a few beers together later, KYBURZ needed someone to develop the Australian database and so I joined them.

Erza: What are your activities?

Claudio: Currently I am in Switzerland for half a year to help with the CH-Pachi development. My first project is the FileMaker 19 upgrade. On the side, I'm also doing maintenance and further development of the Australian Pachi.

Erza: What is your typical daily routine?

Claudio: At the moment I start at 7.00 am and do 1-2 hours of support for Kyburz Pty. The rest of the day is then dedicated to Swiss work.

Erza: What do you like? What not so much?

Claudio: I'm a huge fan of electric mobility and sustainable energy, and I love that products like KYBURZ's now make commercial sense. For example, I have a large 6.6 kW solar system on my house in Australia. I like how innovative and dynamic the company is.

The teething troubles with the Australian DXP were a little less motivating.

Erza: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Claudio: When I'm in Australia, you'll find me either surfing at the beach or renovating my house. When I'm here in Switzerland, I go skiing every weekend. Fun Fact: I'm also a qualified ski instructor.

25.03.2021, ERM

Complete wheel with studs

Although winter is over, I would nevertheless like to introduce the studded winter tyre to you. Because the next winter is sure to come and the tyre is available in our range all year round. For optimal grip in snow and ice, we offer the complete wheel with studs. With it you will reach your destination safely. You can find the tyre in our webshop for CHF 322.- incl. VAT.

10.03.2021, MAR

Good to know:

The studded tyres may only be used from November to May or in wintry conditions, according to VTS Art 62 Abs 1 and the order from Astra.