Ather has unveiled its new software update for its existing e-scooters that can alert riders of potholes, and also unveiled a couple of interesting concepts
Quick News Highlights:
Ather adds pothole alerts with Atherstack 7.0 software
The Rizta Z now has a touch screen - this feature is enabled even for older scooters via OTA update
Smart cruise control debuts on the 450 Apex
Ather EL01 Concept e-scooter unveiled - to give birth to multiple e-scooters
Ather Redux concept e-scooter also unveiled - a glimpse of Ather's vision of the future
At its 2025 Community Day today, Ather Energy just announced a wave of software updates for its existing scooters. The EV maker also unveiled its first concept e-scooter under the upcoming modular 'EL' low cost platform, as well as the sporty Project Redux concept electric scooter.
Pothole Alerts
One of the most useful new features is the addition of the pothole alert system. Powered by Atherstack 7.0 software and data from over 760 crore kilometres from over 4.5 lakh Ather customers, the brand's electric scooters can now warn riders of bumpy stretches in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Chennai. Maps can even guide riders on routes with fewer potholes.
The warning comes both on the console and as a voice alert. Yes, the update also includes voice commands that help in accessing various features of the e-scooter. It even proactively alerts the rider to use the appropriate riding mode and traction control in case of a rain forecast.
Other New Features Via OTA Update
Beyond pothole alerts, Atherstack 7.0 adds crash detection (detects crashes and alerts your emergency contacts), tow-away warnings (uses historical data of tow zones to alert the rider the moment the e-scooter is parked), anti-theft with remote app-based locking, and the option to stop charging or shut down the scooter remotely.
Riders can also see live cricket scores on the dashboard, with a full scoreboard when parked. Remote e-scooter shutdown works even if the scooter is operated with the stolen key. The Atherstack 7.0 OTA update will be released in the coming months, and will be backward compatible with the Rizta Z as well as the Ather 450X up to Gen 3 e-scooters.
Rizta Gets a Touch Screen
The top spec Ather Rizta Z now features a touch-enabled 7-inch screen, rolling out via over-the-air update for both new and existing customers. Navigation, calls, music, and safety alerts continue as part of the package.
Faster Charging
Ather also unveiled a new 6kW grid fast charger which is half the size of the current ones and it will also charge 2 times faster than before as per their claims. The brand says it can offer about 30km real-world range in just ten minutes of charging. These chargers will now also include built-in tyre inflators. You can also view these new chargers' location on the app. There's also now the option to change your charge cut-off limit starting from 80% on the app.
Moreover, with the AtherAtherstack 7.0 update, you can also turn off charging via the app instead of having to physically go to the scooter and unplug. Another interesting update that will be rolled out in the coming months is that the portable charger will be a lot more compact. We'll have to wait and see whether it will be exclusive for the EVs under the brand's new platform or for existing e-scooters going forward.
Cruise Control
The Ather 450 Apex now offers cruise control, called 'Infinte Cruise' operated by a handlebar switch on the right. It maintains speed from as low as 10 kmph, pauses when you slow down or come to a stop and resumes automatically when you speed up and let go of the accelerator at whatever speeds you currently are at.
This feature will also roll out to current 2025 Apex owners whose scooters have the dedicated button for it. Simply put, it lets the scooter pause wherever necessary and hold speed so the rider need not have to constantly fiddle with the throttle or the cruise control button. To understand it how it works better, watch the video from 29:00 to 36:00 -
Crawl Control
Along with the smart cruise control, Ather has also added hill descent and ascent control, and crawl control. The hill assist lets you go up or down on slopes using the cruise control, i.e., even if you brake or accelerate - the cruise control will not switch off. Same with the crawl function for off-road or even bad patches of road for that matter.
EL Platform
The new Ather electric scooter based on the EL platform is designed to reduce costs and make servicing simpler. It supports batteries ranging from 2 kWh to 5 kWh, uses a unibody tubular steel frame, and will underpin several upcoming models.
The first prototype - the EL01, is a family scooter with LED lighting, twin half-face helmet boot space, a large floorboard, and a built-in charging cable. Based on the same modular platform, there will also be a larger maxi-style scooter with 14-inch wheels at both ends, and a more compact, smaller city focused scooter with 12-inch wheels.
Expect the first of the e-scooters from this platform to cost just under Rs 1 lakh, and is likely to be launched early next year, perhaps in March 2026. There's a good chance of the price to be even lower if Ather offers the EV with BaaS (Battery-as-a-service) scheme, just like how they did with the Rizta and 450 range recently.
Project Redux Concept
Alongside EL01, Ather revealed the Project Redux: a tech-heavy sporty-scooter with a sharp design. It features a pointed fairing, a high-set tail light, twin moving screens, launch control, a 3D-printed seat, and footpegs that move rearward for a more committed riding position at higher speeds, and also active suspension that can raise or lower depending on the situation. If it ever comes into production, the fancy features such as the active suspension, moving screens will go away, but will still be a futuristic e-scooter nonetheless. It will compete against the TVS X electric scooter and the upcoming Ultraviolette Tesseract.
Ather Halo Helmet
Also, Ather launched the updated version of the Ather Halo half face and full face smart helmets. Key updates include USB-C charging, pinlock enabled visor (to accommodate anti-fog inserts), wear detection, emergency pull-out padding that allows to quickly remove the padding in emergencies. The half face helmet costs Rs 2,999 and the full-face one retails at Rs 4,999 (including GST).
BikeDekho Says
From pothole alerts and faster charging to touch displays, smart cruise control, and new concept Ather scooters like the EL01 and Redux, the brand is mixing extremely practical updates with ambitious ideas. Instead of just adding more features, what Ather seems to be doing is make them a lot more usable in daily scenarios.
We're eager to find out whether all these features work as well as advertised (the brand actually demonstrated several of these features live at the event) once we get our hands on the updated e-scooters. As for the concept EVs, they're still some time away, particularly the Redux as it is Ather's vision of how the future of mobility will look like. That said, the EL platform seems particularly promising as Ather has designed it in a way to keep the costs in check.
