What librescoot provides
librescoot replaces the software on both control units of the unu Scooter Pro (the MDB and the DBC) with an open-source alternative. The scooter continues to operate without the original manufacturer’s backend, and gains features that were not part of the original firmware.
Functionality
On-display navigation. Maps and turn-by-turn routing on the scooter itself, without an internet connection. OpenStreetMap data in .mbtiles format, routing computed locally with Valhalla. Pre-built tile packages for all sixteen German states are available for download; other regions can be built from source data.
Smart steering lock. The lock responds to handlebar movement. After shutdown there is a ten-second grace period in which the handlebars can be repositioned, after which the lock engages automatically. Re-unlocking is recognised immediately, without a restart.
Alarm system. A BMX055 accelerometer on the MDB detects two stages: light movement activates the hazard lights, sustained movement also triggers the horn. The system arms automatically on lock and disarms via keycard or Bluetooth.
Operation without a cloud. Navigation, the alarm, keycards, and updates over USB function entirely without mobile connectivity. A SIM card is required only for connecting to Sunshine, for online OTA updates, and for fetching map data online.
Customisable dashboard. Light, dark, and automatic modes (driven by the ambient light sensor). Configurable elements include hiding the clock when no time synchronisation is available, displaying the battery state as a percentage or as remaining range, and individual status icons. Configuration is done either via the on-screen menu (double-tapping the left brake) or with the lsc command-line tool.
Dual-battery operation (experimental). Both battery bays operate in parallel, roughly doubling the available range. This requires a hardware modification to the second bay; the software detects the change automatically once the wiring is in place.
Additional functionality. Adding and removing keycards at will (any NFC card is supported), teaching a master keycard directly at the reader, OTA delta updates (often under one megabyte), lsc over USB-Ethernet, hop-on/hop-off mode for short stops without a keycard, GPS-synchronised clock, frost warning in the status bar, German language option for the user interface.
Who develops librescoot
librescoot is a community project. We at rescoot support the work with hardware, time, and server infrastructure, and contribute code; the bulk of the development is done by the librescoot contributors. Discussion, issues, and pull requests live on GitHub and in Discord.
Getting started
The installer application is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The process takes about twenty minutes and requires no specialised expertise. A USB cable and a PH2 Phillips screwdriver (for the footwell panel) are all that is needed in terms of equipment. The installer guides through every step: disconnecting the batteries, flashing both control units, applying the configuration.
A stable channel is not yet available; it is planned. The currently recommended channel is Testing, where a release is published every few days. A Nightly channel exists in addition for development-adjacent users, with multiple builds per day.
Full documentation, an FAQ, hardware pinouts, and reverse-engineering material are available at librescoot.org/docs and at reference.librescoot.org. The German-language handbook covers the user-facing controls in detail.
Before installation
This is a hardware intervention. Before opening the scooter, all batteries must be disconnected in the following order: first remove the main batteries, then disconnect the Connectivity Battery (front-left in the footwell), and finally the AUX battery (rear-right). Failure to do so can damage the MDB and presents a risk of electric shock.
The installer is currently in beta. In the worst case the scooter will not boot afterwards and will require a deeper intervention to recover. Use is at your own risk and without warranty. We are happy to assist in Discord.