SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM Think --
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (NYSE: HOG) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today
unveiled how cloud, IoT and AI technologies will reimagine the
everyday experience of riding. The new experiences will arrive
courtesy of the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer's first
electric motorcycle, LiveWire™, and will transform the motorcycle
industry over the coming decade.
Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson (H-D) announced its first
all-electric motorcycle, called LiveWire™, part of its More
Roads to Harley-Davidson accelerated plan for growth.
The plan includes initiatives to deliver new products in additional
motorcycle segments, broaden engagement with the brand, and
strengthen the H-D dealer network. It also boldly proclaims that
Harley-Davidson will lead the electrification of motorcycling.
Today H-D joined IBM to unveil how LiveWire's H-D™ Connect
service (available in select markets), built on the IBM Cloud, will
deliver new mobility and concierge services today and how the
company is expanding the use of IBM artificial intelligence (AI),
analytics and IoT to enhance and evolve the rider's experience of
the vehicle. In order to capture the next generation of motorcycle
riders, H-D is working with IBM to transform the everyday
experience of riding through the latest technologies and
features.
The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with H-D™ Connect service, a
technology that provides cellular connectivity and links a LiveWire
owner with their motorcycle through their smartphone using the
latest version of the Harley-Davidson™ App. Built on IBM Cloud,
this platform is the foundation on which Harley-Davidson will
provide its riders with new services and insights via its
first-ever production electric vehicle.
"LiveWire is a fully cellular-connected electric motorcycle, and
we needed a partner that could deliver mobility solutions that
would meet riders' changing expectations, as well as enhance
security," said Marc McAllister,
Harley-Davidson VP Product Planning and Portfolio. "With IBM we
have struck the balance between using data to create both
intelligent and personal experiences, while maintaining privacy and
security."
H-D Connect is a technology that provides cellular connectivity
and links a LiveWire owner to their motorcycle through their
smartphone using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson™ App.
Built on IBM Cloud, this platform is the foundation on which
Harley-Davidson will provide its riders with new services and
insights via its first-ever production electric vehicle.
For now, IBM Cloud is enabling infrastructure and connected
services to fundamentally change the way Harley-Davidson connects
riders to their motorcycles and gain insights to power new user
experiences such as:
- Powering The Ride: LiveWire rider's will be able to
check bike vitals at any time and from any location. Information
available includes features such as range, battery health, and
charge level. Motorcycle status features will also support
the needs of the electric bike such as the location of charging
stations. Also riders can see their motorcycle's current map
location.
- Powering Security: An alert will be sent to the owner's
phone if the motorcycle has been bumped, tampered or moved.
GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle assistance provides peace of mind that
the motorcycle's location can be tracked. (Requires law enforcement
assistance. Available in select markets).
- Powering Convenience: Reminders about upcoming
motorcycle service requirements and other care notifications will
be provided to the rider. In addition, riders will receive
automated service reminders as well as safety or recall
notifications.
"The next generation of Harley-Davidson riders will demand a
more engaged and personalized customer experience,"
said Venkatesh Iyer, Vice President, North America IoT and
Connected Solutions, Global Business Services, IBM. "Introducing
enhanced capabilities via the IBM Cloud will not only enable new
services immediately, but will also provide a roadmap for the
journey ahead."
At Think 2019, IBM will outline new offerings, client
engagements, partnerships, technology breakthroughs and developer
tools that underscore how IBM and partners are changing the way the
world works. For more information, visit the IBM Think 2019
Newsroom: https://newsroom.ibm.com/think. Follow the
conference on Twitter at #think2019 and @ibmlive, and go
to https://www.ibm.com/events/think/ for the full
schedule and live streaming agenda.
About Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson
Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Since 1903,
Harley-Davidson Motor Company has fulfilled dreams of personal
freedom with custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles, riding
experiences and events and a complete line of Harley-Davidson
motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and
apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and
retail financing, insurance, extended service and other protection
plans and credit card programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and
riders in the U.S., Canada and
other select international markets. For more information, visit
Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com
Contact: Jeannine Kilbride,
860-997-6277, jkilbri@us.ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM