Riding is about to get a bit more interesting for scooter lovers.
With so much attention on fully automated cars, it’s easy to overlook other impressive feats of engineering like – well, an automated scooter.
Yes, those exist now.
Nio, a Chinese electric car company, teamed up with UK-Based design agency, Layer, to create a smart scooter. And they’re calling it “Pal.” What makes Pal so special, you ask?
Well, the vehicle can learn where you want to go and take you there on its own.
According to the company’s website, the “near future prototype” relies on “AI and machine learning to provide a flexible and convenient last mile travel” to its passengers.
In a statement, Layer Founder Benjamin Hubert said;
“At Layer, we believe that the future is autonomous and sustainable, and it is important to create products that offer more convenience without inconveniencing the planet.”
There’s no denying that the stunning piece of technology is a convenient way to avoid congestion in cities and travel a short distance. With that said, the company is yet to place a price on it.
So, how does the scooter work?
An Intelligent Scooter Called Pal
Pal connects to the intelligent AI system, Nomi, via a smartphone or a smartwatch. In turn, the scooter not only learns the driver’s preferred route, but it’ll also drive autonomously to the destination.
The vehicle supports simple voice commands. With this, drivers can make a simple request such as asking the scooter to take them to work or home. They’ll also be able to ask questions like what the best route is, or how much battery is left.
Speaking of battery, the autonomous scooter is powered by a modular, electric one which users can either recharge in their home or plug into the trunk of any Nio vehicle.
If a single battery is not enough to complete a journey, users have the option of swapping it for another.
Pal comes with a pressure sensitive suspension which allows lean steering. That means, drivers simply have to lean forward on the scooter to increase its speed and lean back to decrease it.
Although the graphene-coated carbon fiber chassis is very sturdy, the manufacturers managed to maintain a lightweight build. This makes transporting the autonomous scooter a comfortable experience.
“The vehicle has been designed to express lifestyle values and sensibilities, rather than with an overtly tech-driven language, creating harmony between the way people think about their home and transport in the future,”
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