Ola Move OS 3 on an Ola S1 Pro: More refined, smarter ride assists, fun to ride

Ola Electric has just released the Move OS 3 update for its S1 range of electric scooters and we took a quick look at what it brings to the table… err … dashboard! The Move OS 3 update was announced on Diwali along with the Ola S1 Air, promising a host of new features for riders. Most importantly, the Move OS 3 update brings all those features that Ola promised while launching the Ola S1 Pro a few years ago.

Hence, I got access to the Move OS 3 update package a few days ago on an Ola S1 Pro and after spending a few days riding it, this is what it feels like.

Move OS 3 update: What the new update improves

1. Proximity Unlock

The Proximity Unlock adds an extra layer of convenience that Ola riders can never get rid of. This makes your phone act as a Bluetooth key and every time you step 2 feet of radius. This is a boon and so far, the feature works flawlessly, especially in the cold weather when accessing the phone is difficult.

2. Moods

A fancy word for themes, you get to choose a different dash theme along with sounds. Right now, you have 2 additional themes to choose from, with the retro mood being the funky one. The fake motor sounds are embarrassing in the public and I mostly kept it switched off. The moods also allow for an auto switch between dark and light themes, which is another great addition.

3. Regen modes

The regenerative mode improves the brake energy regeneration feature on the Ola S1 Pro. By default, you get the standard mode where the scooter slows down slowly upon releasing the throttle, and reverse throttle works just enough to slow down in empty streets. The “High” mode increases the resistance to the levels of a petrol powered scooter, like the Honda Activa. The “Low” mode reduces regen resistance.

4. Hill Hold

You activate it by depressing both the brakes for 3-4 seconds on an incline and the scooter shows a message, activating the Hill Hold assist. It simply spins the motor with enough acceleration to counter reverse roll but only works on mild inlcines. On steeper inclines, I witnessed the scooter disengaging the mode and letting you do manual braking (it shows a warning message before doing so).

5. Performance improvement

With Move OS 3 installed, the Ola S1 Pro now accelerates faster to 60 kmph from nothing in just 4.5 seconds. The battery drain also seems to be lower than before.

6. Hypercharging

Ola promises 50 kms of range in just 15 minutes of charging but sadly, I could not find a Hypercharger in Noida. As of writing, it shows 3 active hyperchargers in Delhi and 3 more coming up within Delhi. We will need to wait for more Hyperchargers to be installed in vicinity to test out the fast charging.

7. Party Mode

A fun feature that seems to be purely built for showing off your “smart” electric scooter in community gatherings. There's no dedicated button here and you need to double tap the music widget while in the Park Mode to activate it. Once done, it makes for a cool light show, courtesy of the LED headlights and taillamp.

8. No software bugs

The Move OS 3 update also improves system stability. Most of the bugs from Move OS 2 are gone, and the software interface feels polished. There is still a lag when switching over to the MapMyIndia maps page and I wished Ola relied on Google Maps. But considering the overall package, the Move OS 3 update makes for a much better user experience. Additionally, the scooter can also connect to a Wi-Fi network to download updates, if available.

What I didn’t see yet?

I am yet to test out the calls notifications and reception via Bluetooth. Additionally, charging speeds via the 5A home charger are still very slow and the update doesn't speed it up.