You might've come across foldable bikes before, but this new prototype e-scooter goes one step further.
The eco-friendly scooter, called Poimo, was developed by the University of Tokyo and, unlike other scooters, it can be stored in a bag and inflated in just over a minute by using an electric pump.
Researchers behind the design claim that the inflatable body would protect pedestrians as well as the rider in the event of an accident.
The scooter has been shown off in a video, but it is still just a prototype and the final product will supposedly be lighter and even more portable.
While portable, you will still need to have an electric pump to hand, which is going to take up valuable space while you're out and about.
After the body is blown up, components like the front handles, wheels, battery, and motor have to be installed.
The Poimo has five solid, detachable components, so it comes with two sets of wheels, an electric motor, a battery, handlebars with a built-in wireless controller
It is made primarily out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is already used to make products such as airbeds.
According to the YouTube video, the team said: “We envision ‘Soft Mobility,’ which is a new type of personal mobility made of soft, lightweight, and inflatable materials.
“A soft body enables safer user interactions with pedestrians and drivers; the lightweight and inflatable properties allow the users to easily carry it as a ‘portable device,’ by deflating, folding, and packing it into, for example, a backpack.”
It's not sure if the Poimo is designed to be driven on roads.
In the UK, it is currently illegal to ride e-scooters on the roads or pavements, they can only be ridden on private land. Though the vehicles are going to be trialled in the UK soon, experts say e-scooter rules still need to be clarified by the government before such modes of transport can be considered safe.
