Your Hello e-bike may no longer be "smart" due to a 2G network shutdown. Recently, multiple Hello user complaint groups with over a thousand members reported widespread service disruptions. Many users experienced loss of remote GPS tracking, battery monitoring, and other "lifetime membership" features, with some even facing sudden power cuts and lockouts mid-ride, nearly causing accidents.

Hello attributed the issue to 2G network phase-outs, stating some e-bikes could no longer unlock. However, users claim they were never informed about the 2G dependency at purchase. Now, just over a year later, they must pay for upgrades while losing promised benefits.

Notably, Hello entered the e-bike market in July 2020—one month before China’s MIIT urged IoT devices to avoid 2G/3G networks. Despite this, Hello continued releasing 2G-reliant models.

Meanwhile, Hello’s Robotaxi unit faced a rare pedestrian collision, captured in videos showing a victim trapped under the vehicle. This contradicts CEO Yang Lei’s recent assertion that Hello ventured into Robotaxi due to "mature AI and hardware" and declining computing costs.

**User Outrage: "Knew 2G Was Obsolete, Yet Sold 2G Bikes?"** Complaint groups shared harrowing accounts of sudden lockouts, blamed on network failures. Hello’s app acknowledged the issue, citing 2G shutdowns affecting EB11/EB20 chip-equipped bikes, and offered Bluetooth unlocking or paid 4G upgrades—refunding only non-lifetime membership fees.

Lifetime "Gold" member Li Ming (pseudonym) lamented losing remote features, downgrading to basic "Silver" perks like Bluetooth unlocking. "Now we pay to restore what we bought? Terrible handling," he said. Others criticized Hello’s short-sightedness, as e-bikes typically last over two years.

**Legal Perspective: Violating Consumer Rights** Legal expert Lei Jiamao argued Hello breached consumer rights by withholding 2G risks, effectively selling "smart" bikes that reverted to "dumb" mode post-purchase. Promised features, even if marketed as free, formed part of the contractual value.

An industry insider added that IoT devices, especially for durable goods like e-bikes, should avoid outdated tech. Hello’s 2G reliance, however, seemed unplanned.

**Robotaxi Crash: "Mature AI" Faltering?** After acquiring Yong’an Xing (2025 Q1-Q3 revenue: ¥317M, down 15%; net loss: ¥69.39M), Yang Lei touted Robotaxi’s readiness, targeting 1M vehicles in eight years. But a recent collision in Zhuzhou, Hunan—where a Hello Robotaxi hit two pedestrians, pinning one underneath—marked China’s first such incident involving multiple victims.

Unlike past Robotaxi mishaps (e.g., curb collisions), this raised safety concerns for Hello’s rushed entry into the sector. With broken e-bike promises and Robotaxi risks, Hello now faces a credibility crisis.