In a move aimed at advancing safety in urban mobility, Sergei Lavrentyev, who co-founded the popular kicksharing platform Whoosh, revealed that the company is developing new technologies designed to gauge the level of alcohol intoxication among electric scooter riders. The initiative, described as a safety measure, is intended to provide clearer insights into a rider’s ability to operate a scooter safely on public streets. The information came through reports from TASS, a major Russian news outlet that tracks developments in the transportation and tech sectors.
Lavrentyev emphasized that alcohol consumption significantly undermines road safety. He explained that the upcoming technology would assess cognitive performance and reaction times, aiming to determine whether a rider’s mental state would affect their capacity to navigate traffic, respond to hazards, and maintain control of the vehicle. The announcement notes that Lavrentyev will participate in the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, taking place from June 26 to 28, where these topics will be discussed in depth. The event, hosted in St. Petersburg, provides a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to exchange perspectives on how digital innovations can support safer urban transport and responsible ride-hailing practices.
As part of its broader safety strategy, Whoosh is also planning to introduce a user rating system. Based on a points-based framework, riders could see changes in the operating parameters of their scooters. A rider accruing a higher score might gain access to higher speed limits, while lower scores could trigger a reduction in permissible speed. Lavrentyev indicated that the system would roll out over a two-year horizon, gradually integrating the rating mechanics into the platform’s safety protocols. This approach aligns with a growing trend in shared mobility where operators seek to balance convenience with risk management through data-driven policies and real-time feedback loops.
The overarching goal of the new technology and the accompanying rating system is to reduce alcohol-related incidents and to foster safer, more responsible use of electric scooters. By combining cognitive assessment tools with a transparent scoring model, Whoosh aims to provide riders with incentives to make safer choices and to assist authorities in monitoring and mitigating risky behavior in urban corridors. This development follows a period of heightened attention to the safety implications of micro-mobility, as cities explore ways to regulate speed, enforce compliance, and promote safer riding cultures across Canada and the United States.
Originally operating under the name Yadro in its earlier phase, the company’s rebranding and ongoing product evolution reflect a broader shift toward integrating safety analytics into shared mobility services. The latest announcements underscore the firm’s commitment to deploying practical, tech-enabled safeguards that can adapt to changing urban landscapes while continuing to offer convenient mobility options for commuters and residents alike.