How Shared Bicycles Communicate: Smart Locks, IoT Modules, GPS, Bluetooth, and Payment Systems

Shared bicycles rely on a smart lock that integrates an embedded chip, a GPS module, and an IoT SIM card to enable remote control and location tracking.

The lock’s SIM card connects via 2G/3G/4G networks to a cloud platform, reporting GPS coordinates and lock status in real time.

The bicycle’s communication module is powered by a dynamo: pedaling rotates a coil that generates electricity to charge the onboard battery.

Each bike has a unique QR code; scanning it with the mobile app establishes a Bluetooth link, sends the code to the cloud, and receives an unlock command that activates the electromechanical lock.

The cloud platform calculates ride duration from lock/unlock timestamps, matches it to a fee, and charges the user via WeChat or Alipay.

When cellular coverage is poor, the system falls back to Bluetooth: the cloud sends an unlock key to the user’s phone, which pairs with the lock and opens it locally, offering faster and more reliable access.

GPS positioning is handled differently by various providers: Meituan’s app shows the rider’s phone trajectory, while Qingju’s app can unlock the bike even when the rider is several meters away, relying on the bike’s own GPS data.

The IoT stack in shared bikes includes 2G/3G/4G modules, Bluetooth, and NB‑IoT; NB‑IoT is highlighted for its wide coverage, low power consumption, and suitability for large‑scale deployments.