There are doubtless many people who ride an electric scooter to the grocery store, then switch to a shopping cart once they get there. The Singaporean-designed Mimo C1 simplifies things, by combining both functions in one transformable vehicle.
When heading out to the store – or to a delivery destination, or wherever else – the user stands on the back half of the scooter, holding onto its handlebars and pressing its throttle switch. One charge of the removable lithium battery should reportedly be good for a range of 15 to 25 km (9 to 16 miles), at a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph). A coil spring front suspension helps smooth out the ride, with a rear mechanical disc brake providing stopping power.
A removable cargo module is mounted on a tubular aluminum rack on the front half of the scooter, in front of the handlebars. Buyers can opt for available modules such as an open wooden box or a lidded fiberglass unit, or they can supply one of their own. Small- and large-sized racks can also be swapped on and off of the C1, depending on what’s being carried.
Upon reaching its destination, the front half of the scooter stays as is, but the back half is simply folded up and locked in place to sit vertically against the handlebars. A mid-mounted set of castor wheels then comes into play, taking the place of the now-raised rear wheel. The C1 can subsequently be pushed along like a shopping cart or hand truck as needed, then converted back to its scooter configuration for the return trip.
The whole thing (not including the cargo module) reportedly tips the scales at 17 kg (37 lb). It can support a maximum rider weight of 120 kg (265 lb) in back, along with a maximum cargo weight of 70 kg (154 lb) in front.
Should you be interested, the Mimo C1 is presently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign. Pledge levels begin at US$1,300 for a scooter with a small rack (planned retail $1,806), and go up from there. Assuming it reaches production, shipping should begin in August.
The C1 can be seen in all its transforming glory, in the video below. Prospective buyers might also want to check out the Tricksy and the Simple One, which are respectively a tricycle and a bicycle that can be converted into shopping carts.
Electric scooter folds to become a hand trolley [New Atlas]