In Japan created a bouncy electro-scooter that easily fits in a backpack

A team of scientists from the University of Tokyo unveiled a prototype electric scooter Poimo on an inflatable frame. It weighs 5.5 kg, when folded easily fits in a backpack, and inflates in about a minute.

E-bikes and electric scooters are becoming more popular, but the increase in their number leads to clutter sidewalks, personal injury, and other small troubles. Therefore, Japanese engineers have developed a more compact and convenient version of this kind of personal transport.

The developers hope that Poimo (abbr. from Portable and Inflatable Mobility) can become a commercial product and to market. Lightweight, foldable and compact, it would be a great solution for short and medium distances in the city.

The housing developed at the University of Tokyo electric scooter Poimo made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The scooter comes with a small electric pump which pumps up the frame completely in about a minute. And all because optimal working pressure (for comfort seats) is 40-50 kPa, which is twice less than inside a football.To the bottom of the frame are attached two pairs of little rubber wheels and a small motor; there is also a wireless controller that attaches to a bike's handlebars.

After blowing hard mounted components such as wheels, motor, battery and steering wheel. The total mass of all elements is 5.5 kg, and the flexible arm, weighs 2.3 kg, but in the future, the team plans to reduce these figures.

The creators of this vehicle look to the future with optimism: they plan to do the following options of the prototype is even smaller, sturdier and more ergonomic, and it will allow them to prepare the final version of the product for commercial launch. The last prototype Poimo were presented in the virtual presentation at the HRI conference in 2020.