The government has ordered a takedown of three mobile applications allegedly being used to abruptly stop e-rickshaws or battery-operated vehicles on roads, sources told HT.
Three such applications – BAT-BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch-i-ion, have been ordered to be removed, and any other such apps being misused will also be blocked, sources further said.
The takedown order comes amid concerns over these applications, after videos showed people using them to approach e-rickshaws and switch them off mid-journey.
Lossigy, which happens to be one of the three apps ordered for removal, can be used to locate an e-vehicle nearby and disable it with a single tap. HT had downloaded the application with consent from one of the drivers and used it to stop an e-rickshaw.
According to drivers, the e-rickshaws have long been susceptible to this problem but it has surged recently after videos of people filming themselves pausing the e-rickshaw went viral.
How do the apps work?
The logic behind these applications is similar to how Bluetooth devices work, with without the need to connect through any password or authentication. In some of these systems, anyone within Bluetooth range can download the app, connect to a nearby vehicle, and cut its power with one tap.
According to the BAT-BMS app’s description on Google Play Store, these are the features it can provide:
- Connects to compatible Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries.
- Displays real-time battery status, including charge level (SOC), voltage, current, temperature, cycle count, and cell health.
- Monitors battery charge and discharge history.
- Compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) smartphones.
- Wireless range of up to 15 metres.
- Supports monitoring multiple batteries; only one phone can control a battery at a time.
