Senior engineers power IoT system for mobility devices

About the client

IoT Venture is a German mobility-tech company within a 500-person holding that builds hardware, embedded software, and cloud analytics for high-value moving assets such as e-bikes and pet trackers. Its first market launch in 2019 combined on-board sensors with a secure NB-IoT back end. To scale product features and speed delivery, the firm asked HW.Tech to extend its on-site team with niche embedded-systems talent.

Problem statement

Creating a connected e-bike platform meant bridging hardware, firmware, and cloud layers while hiring rare NB-IoT specialists fast. Delays in staffing and development increased time-to-market and limited the client’s ability to win enterprise deals.

• Limited asset visibility. High-value bikes travel untracked, making data-driven services impossible.
• Scarce NB-IoT expertise. Local hiring failed to secure senior firmware engineers within budget or timeline.
• Lengthy development cycles. Piecemeal outsourcing slowed feature delivery and partner integration.

Challenge

Each reimbursement-grade “data signature” had to merge GNSS, accelerometer, and battery metrics, survive harsh outdoor conditions, and stay factory-sealed for years. Existing AI and OTA update paths required re-architecting without interrupting 10,000+ devices already in the field. Confidential IP and EU security rules barred offshore code repositories, so the augmented team had to comply with stringent access controls while collaborating remotely.

• Data complexity. Raw sensor streams needed real-time filtering and loss-tolerant NB-IoT transmission.
• Format compatibility. Firmware, mobile apps, and cloud APIs had to sync seamlessly.
• Anti-theft features. Crash alerts, geofencing, and self-checks demanded millisecond latency.
• Chip-shortage tweaks. Firmware had to adapt to new components without halting production.
• Talent gap. Senior C/C++ embedded developers were unavailable locally at a sustainable cost.
• Compliance. GDPR-ready processes for bike-owner data and secure OTA.

Solution

HW.Tech delivered a team extension model, onboarding two senior firmware engineers and one mobile lead in ten days. The squad rebuilt core firmware, enabled secure OTA, and refactored the mobile app while cloud engineers improved data pipelines and dashboards. Continuous retraining and paired code reviews kept quality high.

• Rapid onboarding. First CVs in five days; experts are productive by day 10, slashing lead time.
• Cost efficiency. Up to 60% savings versus local hiring; no extra payroll overhead.
• 14-day trial. Discounted evaluation ensured cultural fit and technical depth before long-term commitment.
• Firmware MVP. NB-IoT tracker, power-optimized GNSS, crash detection, self-checks, OTA updates.
• Mobile refactor. Expo demo app, stats module, profile editor, performance boost.
• AI-ready dataset. Structured “bike health” signatures prepared for future predictive analytics.
• Secure DevOps. Role-based Git, encrypted CI/CD, GDPR-compliant data flow.

Result

The extended team has supported IoT Venture for four years, continuously delivering new capabilities while keeping operating costs lean. The upgraded platform now tracks thousands of bikes across Europe, feeds insurers with real-time risk data, and boosts rider safety with instant crash alerts. Time-to-market for new features dropped significantly.

• Lean staffing spend. Cut hiring costs by 60% compared with local recruitment.
• Accelerated release cadence. Feature rollouts now move 40% faster after the team extension.
• Remote device security. OTA updates safeguard more than 10,000 trackers, removing onsite visits.
• Extended battery runtime. NB-IoT design trims power consumption, boosting battery life by 30%.
• Robust data governance. GDPR-aligned practices shield owner data and partner IP.
• Steady talent pipeline. Ongoing partnership guarantees dependable staffing for future growth.