In an exclusive conversation with CIO&Leader, Manjunath Athrey, Head of Engineering, Yulu, offers an unfiltered look at how Yulu is harnessing predictive analytics to keep bikes where riders need them, hardening its data‑security posture in line with India’s new regulations, and translating lessons from its shared fleet into the Wynn, Yulu’s first personal‑ownership e‑scooter.
He also explains why Yulu favours “purpose‑built” vehicles over rapid model churn, how a franchise model is taking green mobility to India’s Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities. Edited excerpts are as below:
Head of Engineering, Yulu
CIO&Leader: With Yulu achieving India’s largest EBITDA‑profitable shared‑electric‑mobility status and securing significant funding from Magna and Bajaj Auto, how do you envision the next phase of technological innovation for Yulu’s products and services?
Manjunath Athrey: Technology is absolutely critical to our success, as you can already see. While I can’t share every confidential detail of the roadmap, I can outline the areas where my engineering team will concentrate, and from which innovation will naturally emerge. First, we are determined to make a bike available exactly where and when a customer needs it, so customer‑centric availability will be a major focus. Second, we are redoubling our commitment to vehicle and rider safety, investing in hardware and software safeguards that keep both the user and the vehicle protected.
Third, we are scaling our use of AI and ML; these technologies will be embedded in more and more use‑cases to make our business increasingly efficient and customer‑friendly. Finally, we will employ technology to drive down operational costs, ensuring that rides remain affordable as our user base grows. All of these efforts align with our core themes of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
CIO&Leader: Yulu’s shared EVs and battery packs rely heavily on IoT integrations to relay real‑time data. Could you walk us through the key challenges and solutions in scaling this IoT infrastructure as Yulu expands into newer cities?
Manjunath Athrey: The IoT system has two components. One is the on‑board platform on our bikes, which captures all operational data; the other is data transmission through our telecom partners. Over the last few years we have stabilised the on‑board platform to the point where it is essentially 100 percent reliable. We rely on multiple telcos, Airtel, Vodafone‑Idea, and others, to send that data back to our servers. Although patchy coverage in a few neighbourhood pockets can introduce vulnerability, the platform itself is very stable, and we do not foresee major challenges as we enter new cities.
CIO&Leader: Yulu has rolled out AI/ML‑powered fleet management at scale. Can you share how these algorithms are improving operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and supporting your goal of maximising customer satisfaction?
Manjunath Athrey: We use AI and ML in two broad ways. On the maintenance side, algorithms analyse ride data to detect and even predict component faults, telling us how many kilometres a bike can safely run before service or flagging a part that needs attention. We pass that information to our operations team, which performs preventive maintenance long before the customer notices anything amiss. On the logistics side, machine‑learning models forecast demand shifts across the city—say, heavy usage in Area A during the morning rush and in Area B after lunch—so we reposition bikes in advance.
The same predictive logic helps us stock the right number of batteries at swap stations and direct riders to the nearest location, keeping swaps to a minute or two. Together, these measures reduce operating costs, cut downtime, and ensure riders find a charged bike precisely when and where they need it.
CIO&Leader: As Yulu continues to grow, data privacy and cybersecurity become increasingly important. How is your engineering team ensuring robust platform security and reliability, especially considering the high volumes of sensitive and real‑time data?
Manjunath Athrey: Data security is paramount, especially under India’s evolving regulations. Security is woven into every stage of development. Engineers write code with security front‑of‑mind, and all data in transit is encrypted to prevent interception. We also maintain an aggressive security posture by tracking newly disclosed vulnerabilities worldwide and patching our systems proactively. In short, security is not an afterthought; it is integral to our entire software‑development life cycle.
CIO&Leader: The Wynn is Yulu’s first personal‑ownership EV. What key engineering innovations went into designing it, and how do you plan to integrate future EV models into Yulu’s existing mobility ecosystem?
Manjunath Athrey: The Wynn is our first venture into retail, and Bengaluru served as the testbed for understanding what private owners want. We introduced digital key‑sharing so that multiple authorised family members can use the same bike. We also ensured the scooter functions smoothly even in areas with little or no network coverage, recognising that a personal vehicle may be parked in basements or inside homes. Because a single owner might have several Wynns, the app now supports scanning and controlling multiple bikes under one account.
Finally, we built in a smart diagnostic system that identifies faults and guides the owner through quick fixes on the spot, reserving workshop visits for only the more complex cases. These innovations have broadened our knowledge base, and we will incorporate them into future models that plug seamlessly into the Yulu ecosystem.
CIO&Leader: Yulu’s mobile app is the gateway for customers. What are your current priorities in enhancing the app’s user experience, and how do you balance new feature roll‑outs with platform stability?
Manjunath Athrey: Our guiding principle is to make adoption of our product effortless. Any new feature must further simplify the rider’s journey. At the same time, we must deliver a reliable, high‑quality experience. We therefore refuse to release features that could jeopardise stability, yet we also avoid stagnation. It is a continuous balancing act, each sprint weighs the value of a new feature against the imperative of reliability, and we never ship an update that could erode trust in the Yulu brand.
CIO&Leader: With the recent US $19.25 million equity infusion, where are you focusing your R&D efforts? Are there any new EV product lines or feature upgrades you can discuss at this stage?
Manjunath Athrey: We follow a purpose‑built‑vehicle philosophy; we do not release new models merely for novelty. Instead, we identify a genuine market need and then design a vehicle that addresses it. Currently, we have introduced a mid‑speed bike, faster than our existing sub‑25 km/h fleet, on a pilot basis. We are gathering usage data and feedback, after which we will scale it across our cities. You will not see us rolling out a new model every few months; each launch must solve a real mobility problem.
CIO&Leader: Yulu’s mission is grounded in clean and sustainable mobility. How is your engineering division aligning technology roadmaps with environmental objectives to maintain Yulu’s leadership in green mobility, even as you scale into new geographies?
Manjunath Athrey: Every roadmap item asks whether it will make EV adoption easier. Features that improve operational efficiency, rider safety, and cost‑effectiveness all accelerate the shift away from internal‑combustion vehicles. Sustainability must also reach beyond big metros, so we have adopted a franchise model for Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities; six are already live, with hundreds more planned. This approach ensures that smaller cities, too, can enjoy the benefits of clean mobility.
The growing gig‑economy workforce, particularly in quick commerce, furthers the need for affordable EV options. By offering such choices, we not only reduce emissions but also help people earn a livelihood. Seeing more Yulu EVs on the road is both professionally and personally rewarding.