Poimo: Inflatable Electric Scooter Is Said to Increase Safety

Numerous traffic experts suspect that serious accidents with e-scooters also occur regularly in Germany. In official statistics, however, these have not yet appeared as a separate item. Instead, they disappear into the "other vehicles" category. Data from other countrieshowever, seem to support the thesis. Researchers at the “University of Tokyo” therefore looked for a way to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident and came up with a rather unusual solution: the inflatable e-scooter Poimo. This consists of only four fixed components: the tire, the engine, the battery and the handlebar. The rest of the vehicle is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPS) and works like a classic air mattress: if you blow air into it, you get the shape you want.

The researchers are still working on the latest improvements

The driver no longer has to stand on the scooter, but can sit down comfortably. The air can then be let out again for travel by bus and train. Then the device weighs only 5.5 kilograms and fits in a normal backpack. However, the corresponding process is still comparatively complicated. Because an electric pump must be used. At most bus and train stops, there shouldn't simply be an outlet. So far, however, the vehicle has not been fully developed. The researchers have already announced further improvements in some areas. For example, the weight is to be reduced even further so that the inflatable e-scooter can also be carried over longer distances. When a marketable model will be available

The use of public transport should be more convenient

The same applies to the price of the Poimo. On the other hand, it is clear why the Japanese researchers developed the vehicle: It should take over the transport on the so-called last mile and thus compensate for a disadvantage of public transport. Because while your own car can usually be parked directly in front of the front door, the bus and train stops are often a short distance away. Potential users therefore have to walk a footpath first. The electric scooters could cover the route much faster and more comfortably in the future. In addition, the researchers placed special emphasis on the aspect of security. That is why, among other things, the handlebar is particularly padded again. It remains to be seen whether an inflatable scooter will also be accepted by potential customers.