Localisation system for small electric vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a localisation system (1) for small electric vehicles (2), having: a small electric vehicle (2) which has a data processing device (20), a data communication device (21), and an audible-signal generator (4); and a hand-held device (3) which has a data processing device (30) and a data communication device (31), the data processing device (30) of the hand-held device (3) and the data processing device (20) of the small electric vehicle (2) being designed to determine, with the aid of the data communication device (31) of the hand-held device (3) and the data communication device (21) of the small electric vehicle (2), a distance (A) between the hand-held device (3) and the small electric vehicle (2). If a prescribed threshold for the distance (A) between the hand-held device (3) and the small electric vehicle (2) is not reached, an audible locating signal (5) is emitted by the audible-signal generator (4).

Description

[0001] Localization system for small electric vehicles

[0002] The present invention relates to a localization system for localizing small electric vehicles and a method for carrying out such localization.

[0003] Small electric vehicles (eEVs) are defined as vehicles with electric propulsion, meaning they are emission-free. They are generally lightweight and compact. They are often foldable and portable. This makes them easy to carry and are particularly suitable for covering short distances in cities. Typical examples of small electric vehicles include electric scooters (so-called e-scooters), Segways, hoverboards, Airwheels, e-skateboards, e-bicycles, including e-cargo bikes, and mobile delivery drones.

[0004] However, parking such small electric vehicles, especially rented electric scooters, on sidewalks creates a barrier for all pedestrians. For blind and visually impaired people, this is not only a hindrance but also leads to significant orientation difficulties and, due to the inability to recognize these obstacles in time, increases the risk of accidents. Furthermore, small electric vehicles such as electric scooters are very often parked in hazardous locations, such as perpendicular to building walls near shop entrances, in front of staircases, around public transport stations, near traffic light poles, and directly next to floor indicators, the floor guidance elements for blind and visually impaired people (further information on floor indicators can be found, for example, in DIN standard 32984).

[0005] Small electric vehicles, especially electric scooters (also known as electric scooters, e-scooters or electric kick scooters), are often found standing or lying on sidewalks, footpaths or in pedestrian areas (stationary traffic) and are tripping hazards for people with visual impairments or blindness. The white cane, in particular, detects lying down electric scooters too late, causing a blind or visually impaired person to fall over the scooter and possibly injure themselves. The white cane, held at an angle when swinging above the ground, slides under the support bar of the handlebar, for example, and the haptic feedback via the cane only comes shortly before the obstacle is reached. Furthermore, electric scooters are also left on stairs leading to subways or other public transport systems, which makes them dangerous tripping hazards.

[0006] A known system is a smartphone-based system that allows an electric scooter to ring when a button is pressed while the app is open. This function is used by e-scooter rental companies to locate electric scooters that are out of sight, for example, because they have been thrown into a bush.

[0007] Based on this, the invention is based on the task of providing a timely warning to a blind or visually impaired person of a small electric vehicle (especially an electric scooter). The warning should be designed in such a way that the person can determine the position of the obstacle before contact with the person's body occurs, ideally also before a cane, if used, detects the obstacle.

[0008] This object is achieved by a localization system having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of these aspects of the invention are specified in the corresponding subclaims and are described below, along with further aspects of the invention.

[0009] A localization system for small electric vehicles, comprising: a small electric vehicle, the small electric vehicle having a data processing device, a data communication device, and an acoustic signal generator, and a handheld device, the handheld device having a data processing device and a data communication device; the data processing device of the handheld device and / or the data processing device of the small electric vehicle being configured to determine a distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle with the aid of the data communication device of the handheld device and the data communication device of the small electric vehicle, the data processing device of the small electric vehicle being configured to output an acoustic detection signal via the acoustic signal generator when the distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the data communication devices of the small electric vehicle and the handheld device are designed for direct communication with one another.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the handheld device can be configured to determine a distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle by means of an exchange of signals between the data communication device of the small electric vehicle and the data communication device of the handheld device. Determining the distance with the handheld device has the advantage that the programming of the distance measurement can be adapted very easily and quickly. For adaptation, the user simply needs to download a new app onto the handheld device. However, if the distance measurement is performed in the small electric vehicle, more effort is required.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can alternatively be provided that the data processing device of the small electric vehicle is designed to determine a distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle with the aid of an exchange of signals between the data communication device of the handheld device and the data communication device of the small electric vehicle.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can alternatively be provided that the data processing device of the handheld device and the data processing device of the small electric vehicle are designed to determine a distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle with the aid of an exchange of signals between the data communication device of the small electric vehicle and the data communication device of the handheld device.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signals are electromagnetic waves, and the exchange of signals is preferably based on one of the following standards: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (LTWB), or WLAN. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the signals can also be ultrasonic signals or infrared signals.

[0015] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mutual data communication devices are designed to establish a connection to the Internet and to determine the distance via a radio-based positioning system such as GPS, Galileo, or terrestrial systems used in cities.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the data communication devices are configured to communicate with a server-based system via the internet, wherein the localization and determination of the distance of the micro electric vehicle is performed via at least one server of the server-based system. According to an alternative embodiment, direct communication can be realized via the internet. However, a server-based system offers the advantage that the localization of the potentially nearest micro electric vehicles is performed via the server and not by the handheld device (in particular a smartphone) or the micro electric vehicle, which in practice limits the computing effort and thus the energy consumption on the handheld device or smartphone.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the localization system comprises a server-based system which is designed to receive a detection signal from the data communication device of the handheld device when the predetermined threshold for the distance is undershot and, upon receipt of the detection signal, to send an activation signal to the data communication device of the small electric vehicle in order to cause the acoustic signal generator of the small electric vehicle to output the acoustic detection signal.

[0018] The server-based system has, for example, a first server communicating with the data communication device of the handheld device and a second server communicating with the data communication device of the small electric vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the handset is formed by a smartphone. A smartphone is a mobile telephone characterized by a visual display (particularly in the form of a touchscreen) and at least one processor for executing computer programs that can be stored in a memory of the smartphone. The handset or smartphone is preferably configured to execute a computer program that interacts with the data processing device or data communication device of the small electric vehicle to determine the distance. According to an alternative embodiment, however, the handset can also be a specially designed device that, for example, only performs the function of determining the distance and, for example, does not perform any other communication tasks, as is the case with a mobile telephone.Furthermore, the specially designed handheld device can be a device to assist the mobility of blind and / or visually impaired people, intended for performing additional mobility applications. These may include, for example, activating acoustic detection points or increasing the volume of detection and release signals at traffic lights.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the handset is configured to be continuously active after activation for determining the distance, so that a determination of the distance can be carried out after activation without manual operation of the handset, i.e., the handset can remain, for example, in a pocket of the person using the handset (e.g., trouser pocket). Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the result of determining the distance between the handset and the small electric vehicle can be transmitted from the handset to the small electric vehicle or from the small electric vehicle to the handset using the data communication devices of the small electric vehicle and the handset.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the small electric vehicle is designed to output the acoustic detection signal via the acoustic signal generator when the predetermined threshold for the distance is undershot and then to increase the volume of the detection signal as the vehicle approaches the small electric vehicle further. Alternatively or additionally, a repetition rate of the acoustic detection signal can also be increased upon approach. In this case, the acoustic detection signal is provided by a discrete sequence of tones whose temporal spacing is determined by the repetition rate. According to a preferred embodiment, the volume increase and / or the increase in the repetition rate takes place linearly, exponentially, or logarithmically depending on the distance.Alternatively or additionally, another acoustically perceptible property of the detection signal can also be changed upon approach. For example, the frequency of the detection signal can be increased, making the emitted tone higher. The aforementioned acoustically perceptible property also includes the type of signal itself. For example, an initial acoustic signal in the absolute danger zone can be replaced by a completely different signal, resulting, for example, in a siren-like signal.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the data processing device of the small electric vehicle is designed not to increase the volume of the acoustic detection signal and / or the repetition rate of the detection signal any further, but to maintain it at the current level when the distance falls below a further, even smaller threshold for the distance. If the detection signal is, for example, periodically interrupted or modulated, the increase refers to the maximum volume of the detection signal or the maximum repetition rate. The same applies if a different acoustic property of the detection signal is used. Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the small electric vehicle and / or the handheld device is designed (orare), to measure the volume of ambient noise and to set the volume of the detection signal depending on the volume of the ambient noise.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the detection signal has pauses during which the ambient noise is measured. Both described adjustments—that is, both the distance-dependent and the ambient noise-dependent adjustment—can occur simultaneously.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the handset is designed to preselect an initial volume of the detection signal in a user profile. In particular, this preselection does not affect the distance-dependent volume adjustment or the environment-dependent

[0025] Volume adjustment overridden.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for locating a small electric vehicle is disclosed, in particular using a localization system according to the invention, comprising the steps: during the approach of a person, in particular a blind or visually impaired person, to a parked small electric vehicle, automatically determining a distance between the handheld device of the person and the small electric vehicle using a data communication device of the handheld device and a data communication device of the small electric vehicle, and wherein when a predetermined threshold for the distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle is undershot, an acoustic detection signal is automatically emitted by an acoustic signal generator of the small electric vehicle.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the determination of the distance is carried out continuously after activation of the distance determination on the handset without manual operation of the handset.

[0028] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that after the predetermined threshold is undershot, as the handset approaches the small electric vehicle further, a volume of the detection signal and / or a repetition rate of the detection signal is increased as the distance decreases and / or the other acoustically perceptible property of the detection signal is changed.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the volume increase and / or the increase in the repetition rate is carried out linearly, exponentially or logarithmically as a function of the distance.

[0030] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the method, if the distance falls below a further distance threshold, the volume of the acoustic detection signal and / or the repetition rate are not increased any further, but are maintained at the then-current level or do not exceed it. The same applies to the aforementioned other acoustically perceptible property of the detection signal. Here, it can be provided that this property is not further changed if the distance falls below the further distance threshold.

[0031] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that a volume of ambient noise is measured and a volume of the detection signal is automatically adjusted depending on the volume of the ambient noise.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program is disclosed, comprising instructions which, when the instructions are executed on the handheld device, cause the handheld device to interact with the small electric vehicle to determine a distance between the handheld device and the small electric vehicle, and which, when a predetermined threshold for the distance is undershot, cause the small electric vehicle to emit an acoustic detection signal through an acoustic signal generator of the small electric vehicle.

[0033] According to a further aspect, a computer-readable data carrier on which the computer program is stored is disclosed. Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention, a data carrier signal is disclosed that transmits the computer program according to the invention.

[0034] In the following, embodiments of the invention as well as further features and advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the figures. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a localization system according to the invention; and

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the localization system according to the invention.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a localization system 1 according to the invention for small electric vehicles 2. The system 1 comprises a small electric vehicle 2, wherein the small electric vehicle 2 has a data processing device 20, a data communication device 21, and an acoustic signal generator 4. The system 1 further comprises a handheld device 3, which is intended to be carried by a person, in particular a blind or visually impaired person, who wishes to detect small electric vehicles 2 to prevent accidents. The handheld device 3 also has a data processing device 30 and a data communication device 31 and can, for example, be formed by a smartphone on which a computer program is executed that participates in the distance determination described below. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the handheld device 3 to be a dedicated handheld device 3 specifically for distance determination.

[0038] The data processing device 30 of the handheld device 3 and the data processing device 20 of the small electric vehicle 2 are now designed to determine a distance A between the handheld device 3 and the small electric vehicle 2 with the aid of the data communication device 31 of the handheld device 3 and the data communication device 21 of the small electric vehicle 2, wherein when a predetermined threshold for the distance A between the handheld device 3 and the small electric vehicle 2 is undershot, an acoustic detection signal 5 is output by the acoustic signal generator 4.

[0039] It is important that the acoustic detection signal 5 originates from the small electric vehicle 2, here, for example, an electric scooter 2. Only in this way can the small electric vehicle 2 be located by a person by hearing. The location of sound sources with respect to their angle is very precise. For closer objects—similar to vision—the determination of distance is better at shorter distances than at longer distances.

[0040] The data communication devices 21, 31 can be designed such that direct communication S can take place between the handset 3 and the small electric vehicle 2. For example, a local radio technology such as Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) can be used. This technology allows the distance A between the handset 3 or the person and the small electric vehicle 2 to be determined, for example, by evaluating the intensity of the transmitted radio signal. A more precise determination of the distance A is possible, for example, with Ultra Wideband (UWB). With BLE, a distance measurement of up to approximately 100 m can be performed, whereas with UWB this is only possible up to a maximum of approximately 10 m. In contrast, however, UWB distance determination is possible in the centimeter range.

[0041] Regardless of whether the handset 3 is a specially designed device or a smartphone, the function of activating the detection signal 5 for the respective small electric vehicle 2 is preferably permanently active, even when the corresponding computer program on the smartphone is running in the background. It is particularly important that the handset 3 or smartphone 3 can remain in the user's pocket, for example. This leaves the user's hands free to orient themselves. Direct communication between the small electric vehicle 2 and the handset 3 is also conceivable using WLAN as the local radio technology, and distance measurement is possible. Ultrasound S can also be used as a local communication technology.Alternatively, both devices (small electric vehicle 2 and handheld device 3) can establish a connection V to the Internet 6 (via the respective data communication device 21, 31) and determine the distance A via a radio- or satellite-based positioning system 7, such as GPS, Galileo, or terrestrial systems used in cities. A server-based system 60 or direct communication via the Internet 6 can be implemented for this purpose. However, a server-based system 60 offers the advantage that the localization of the potentially nearest small electric vehicles 2 is carried out via the server 60 and not by the handheld device 3 or smartphone 3, which in practice limits the computing effort and thus the energy consumption on the handheld device / smartphone 3.

[0042] When the specified threshold for the distance A between the small electric vehicle 2 and the handset 3 is exceeded, the signal 5 should be triggered and become louder as the vehicle approaches the small electric vehicle 2. The volume adjustment depending on the distance A can be linear, exponential, or logarithmic.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the localization system 1 can also be configured such that the repetition rate of the acoustic detection signal 5 is increased upon approaching the small electric vehicle 2. The adjustment of the repetition rate depending on the distance A can also be linear, exponential, or logarithmic.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided to change an acoustically perceptible property of the detection signal other than the volume or the repetition rate upon approach.

[0045] The distance-dependent adjustment of the volume, repetition rate, and / or other acoustically perceptible properties of the detection signal 5 has two effects: the small electric vehicle 2, here an electric scooter 2 as an example, becomes more relevant to a blind person the closer they are to the scooter 2. Furthermore, it is to be expected that in a certain number of situations, more than one scooter 2 will be encountered. In this case, it is important that the more relevant scooter 2 signals louder, with a higher repetition rate, or in another way more urgently, e.g., like a siren, than the less relevant scooter 2.

[0046] Furthermore, there may be a second threshold for the distance A, so that the volume and / or the repetition rate remains at a higher level when approaching if this second threshold is undershot or the detection signal is signaled urgently in another way.

[0047] In addition to the distance-dependent control of the volume of the finding signal 5, the volume of the acoustic finding signal 5 emitted by the scooter 2 can depend on the volume of the ambient noise. For this purpose, the volume of the ambient noise can be measured either in / on the electric scooter 2 or in / on the handset 3. A combination of both measurements is also conceivable. The measurement is designed to allow continuous adjustment of the volume. This can be achieved, for example, by having the finding signal 5 have pauses during which the ambient volume is measured so that no positive feedback occurs via the volume control. Such a signal can, for example, be a tick or an intermittent audio signal. The two described adjustments (distance-dependent and volume-dependent) preferably occur simultaneously.

[0048] The volume of the locator signal 5 can be preselected in a user profile, allowing people with less developed or already impaired hearing to compensate for this limitation by setting a higher volume. Only sufficiently loud acoustic signals 5 allow reliable localization of the respective small electric vehicle 2 by hearing. The profile does not override either the distance-dependent volume adjustment or the ambient noise-dependent volume adjustment. It simply uses higher output volumes for the locator signal 5.

[0049] The repetition rate of the locating signal 5 can also be preselected in the user profile. This option allows the user to set a repetition rate that is appropriate for their needs. The acoustic locating signal 5 should alert the user, but not make them nervous or unsettled. A suitable repetition rate in this context is not the same for everyone. Furthermore, some users prefer a lower repetition rate when the small electric vehicle 2 is still a long way away. In this case, the lower information density provided by the lower repetition rate is sufficient for the user, and less noise is generated in the environment.

[0050] The described detection signal 5 can also be used to locate small electric vehicles that, for example, are to be retrieved by maintenance personnel from a hidden storage location. This has the advantage that only those small electric vehicles 2, in particular electric scooters 2, that have been deposited near the personnel emit a detection signal 5. This leads to less disturbance to residents.

[0051] In a specific embodiment, the localization system 10 can be configured using the server-based system 60 such that the server-based system 60 triggers the acoustic detection signal 5. In contrast, the distance determination as such is not carried out via the server-based system 60, but rather by means of direct communication S between the handheld device 3 and the small electric vehicle 2. If, for example, the handheld device 3 detects the small electric vehicle 2 to be activated in its vicinity based on the distance determination, it sends a detection signal to the server-based system 60, which then instructs the small electric vehicle 2 to emit the acoustic detection signal.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a corresponding modification in which the server-based system 60 is used to trigger the acoustic detection signal 5 without being involved in the distance determination on which this signal is based. In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the server-based system 60 comprises a first server 60a and a second server 60b, which communicate with one another according to a predetermined protocol. If the handset 3 is embodied as a smartphone, the first server 60a is operated, for example, by a provider who provides the computer program intended for distance determination in the form of an app, i.e. application software that can be stored on the smartphone. This app is processed by the data processing unit 30 of the smartphone in order to determine the distance A between the smartphone and the small electric vehicle 2.If, however, the handheld device 3 is a device specifically designed for distance determination, the first server 60a is operated, for example, by the provider of this device. In any case, the first server 60a communicates with the handheld device 3. In contrast, the second server 60b is operated, for example, by a provider that provides a vehicle fleet to which the small electric vehicle 2 considered here belongs. Accordingly, the second server 60b communicates with the data communication device 21 of the small electric vehicle 2.

[0053] In the example according to Figure 2, the distance A is determined using local radio technology via direct communication S between the handheld device 3 and the small electric vehicle 2. The small electric vehicle 2 transmits a radio signal, e.g. a Bluetooth signal, which is received by the data communication device 31 of the handheld device 3. The data processing device 30 of the handheld device 3 then processes the signal to determine the distance A. If the distance A falls below the predetermined threshold, the data communication device 30 of the handheld device 3 sends a detection signal D to the first server 60a via the internet connection V. The first server 60a then establishes communication with the second server 60b and outputs an identifier, e.g. an identification number, to the second server 60b.Based on this identifier, the second server 60b determines from the vehicle fleet the small electric vehicle 2 to be activated and sends an activation signal S to it via the internet connection V in order to cause the small electric vehicle 2 to emit the acoustic detection signal 5.

[0054] In this example, the determination of distance A is essentially performed on the handheld device 3, while the small electric vehicle 2 merely contributes the corresponding radio signal. This has the advantage that the distance determination can be carried out largely independently of the specific operating system of the small electric vehicle 2. The small electric vehicle 2 only needs to be instructed to transmit the radio signal at regular intervals, the intensity of which is then evaluated by the handheld device 3 to determine distance A.

[0055] Activating the detected micro electric vehicle 2 using the server-based system 6, in turn, offers the possibility of effective protection against misuse. For example, existing user accounts can be integrated into this configuration, allowing access restrictions. For example, it is conceivable that the localization system 1 may only be used by authorized persons, particularly visually impaired persons.

[0056] In all embodiments, the data processing device 30 of the handheld device 3 preferably performs a continuous measurement regarding the communication quality, e.g., with regard to latency and bandwidth. Such a measurement serves to predict and adapt the above-mentioned distance thresholds and the trigger times of the acoustic detection signal 5. In the case of a direct connection, the quality of the communication between the handheld device 3 and the small electric vehicle 2 is measured. If the communication takes place via the internet 6 (possibly also, but not necessarily, using the server-based system 6), the quality of the communication to the internet is also recorded.

[0057] Taking the communication quality into account makes it possible, in particular, to implement an emergency mode in the event that the communication connection from the handset 3 to the small electric vehicle 2 or the communication connection from the handset 3 to the first server 60a is interrupted. Thus, the localization system 1 can be configured such that the small electric vehicle 2 continues to emit the acoustic locating signal 5 for a predetermined period of time upon detecting such a communication interruption.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Localization system (1) for electric micro-vehicles (2), comprising: an electric micro-vehicle (2), wherein the electric micro-vehicle (2) comprises a data processing unit (20), a data communication unit (21), and an acoustic signal generator (4), and a handheld device (3), wherein the handheld device (3) comprises a data processing unit (30) and a data communication unit (31);wherein the data processing unit (30) of the handheld device (3) and / or the data processing unit (20) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) are configured to determine a distance (A) between the handheld device (3) and the electric micro-vehicle (2) using the data communication unit (31) of the handheld device (3) and the data communication unit (21) of the electric micro-vehicle (2), wherein, when a predetermined threshold for the distance (A) between the handheld device (3) and the electric micro-vehicle (2) is undershot, an acoustic detection signal (5) is emitted by the acoustic signal generator (4).

2. Localization system according to claim 1, wherein the data communication devices (21, 31) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) and the handheld device (3) are designed for direct communication with each other.

3. Localization system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the The data processing unit (30) of the handheld device (3) and the data processing unit (20) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) are designed to communicate by exchanging signals (S) between the The data communication device (31) of the handheld device (3) and the data communication device (21) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) are used to determine a distance (A) between the handheld device (3) and the electric micro-vehicle (2).

4. Localization system according to claim 3, wherein the signals (S) are electromagnetic waves and the exchange of the signals (S) preferably takes place on one of the following Standards based: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WLAN; or wherein the signals (S) are ultrasonic signals. Localization system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data communication devices (21, 31) are configured to establish a connection (V) to the Internet and to determine the distance (A) via a radio-based positioning system (7). Localization system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a server-based system (6) configured to receive a detection signal (D) from the data communication device (31) of the handheld device (3) when the predetermined distance threshold (A) is undershot, and upon receipt of the detection signal (D) to send an activation signal (A) to the data communication device (21) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) to cause the acoustic signal generator (4) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) to emit the acoustic locator signal (5).Localization system according to claim 6, wherein the server-based system (6) comprises a first server (60a) communicating with the data communication device (31) of the handheld device (3) and a second server (60b) communicating with the data communication device (21) of the electric micro-vehicle (2). Localization system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld device (3) is configured to be continuously active after activation for determining the distance (A), such that determining the distance (A) after activation is possible without manual operation of the handheld device (3).Localization system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing device (20) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) is configured to output the acoustic detection signal (5) by means of the acoustic signal generator (4) when the predetermined threshold for the distance (A) is undershot, and then, upon further approach to the electric micro-vehicle (2), to emit a volume of the. Localization system according to claim 9, wherein the data processing device (20) of the electric micro-vehicle (2) is configured to not further increase the volume of the acoustic localization signal (5) and / or the repetition rate of the acoustic localization signal (5) and / or to change another acoustically perceptible characteristic of the localization signal (5) when the distance (A) falls below a further threshold for the distance (A). Localization system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electric micro-vehicle (2) and / or the handheld device (3) is configured to measure the volume of ambient noise and to adjust the volume of the localization signal (5) depending on the volume of the ambient noise.Localization system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handheld device (3) is configured to preselect an initial volume of the locating signal (5) and / or an initial repetition rate of the locating signal (5) and / or another initial acoustically perceptible characteristic of the locating signal (5). Method for locating an electric micro-vehicle (2), in particular using a localization system (1) according to the invention, comprising the steps: while a person approaches a parked electric micro-vehicle (2), determining a distance between a handheld device (3) of the person and the electric micro-vehicle (2) using a data communication device (31) of the handheld device (3) and a data communication device (21) of the electric micro-vehicle (2), wherein, when a predetermined threshold for the distance (A) between the handheld device (3) and the electric micro-vehicle (2) is undershot, an acoustic signal is generated. The detection signal (5) is emitted by an acoustic signal generator (4) of the electric micro-vehicle (2). A method according to claim 11, wherein the distance (A) is continuously determined after activation of the distance determination on the handheld device (3) without manual operation of the handheld device (3). A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, after falling below the predetermined threshold, as the handheld device (3) continues to approach the electric micro-vehicle (2) and the distance (A) decreases, the volume of the detection signal (5) and / or the repetition rate of the detection signal (5) is increased and / or another acoustically perceptible characteristic of the detection signal (5) is changed.A method according to claim 15, wherein, if the distance (A) falls below a further threshold for the distance (A), the volume and / or the repetition rate of the locator signal (5) is not further increased and / or the other acoustically perceptible property of the locator signal (5) is not further modified. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the volume of ambient noise is measured and the volume of the locator signal (5) is adjusted depending on the volume of the ambient noise.

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