We’ve seen our share of portable ebikes, but this adorable little cutie takes things to the next level. Presented at this year’s ACM CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing, Poimo (POrtable and Inflatable MObility) is an inflatable ebike that fits in a small backpack when you’re not riding it.
It’s just a prototype at this stage, so setting it up might be a little more involved than it looks in the video; it seems the wheels detach, as well as the handlebars with their wireless controller unit, and this prototype version also appears to need an external air compressor to pump it up to a pressure that can bear the weight of a rider. Once it’s pumped up and assembled, off you go, leaning the bike to steer and resting your feet on the base plates.
We have questions, though. How much battery is in that book-sized block on the bottom? It doesn’t look like a lot, and according to IEEE Spectrum, the whole thing weighs just 5.5 kg (12 lb) so the range is probably pretty small. Do those double wheel units fit in the backpack too? Also, how long would it take to set up and inflate if it had a built-in air compressor? Indeed, how long does it take to get back into the backpack, and is that a practical enough process to make it worth bringing this thing to save you from a short walk?
Probably not. But it’s just such a cute-looking jigger we had to show it to you. And The same Tokyo University team that built this is looking into other inflatable human-supporting devices like mobile inflatable sofas, which might make a bit more sense.
Poimo: An inflatable ebike that fits in a backpack [New Atlas]