Urban Transport

Ujet electric scooter cruises cities on hubless wheels and carbon nanotube tires

Ujet electric scooter cruises cities on hubless wheels and carbon nanotube tires
The Ujet scooter debuts at CES 2018
The Ujet scooter debuts at CES 2018
View 25 Images
The Ujet scooter debuts at CES 2018
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The Ujet scooter debuts at CES 2018
A closer look at the Ujet's orbital rear wheel with built-in suspension, brakes and motor
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A closer look at the Ujet's orbital rear wheel with built-in suspension, brakes and motor
The Ujet scooter features a flip-up digital display that shows system information, navigation and more
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The Ujet scooter features a flip-up digital display that shows system information, navigation and more
The rear wheel houses a 5.4-hp electric motor
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The rear wheel houses a 5.4-hp electric motor
The Ujet features a distinctive look thanks to its orbital wheels and frame design
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The Ujet features a distinctive look thanks to its orbital wheels and frame design
The seat-based battery unit removes for security/easy charging
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The seat-based battery unit removes for security/easy charging
The battery features a pair of wheels and a pull-out handle, rolling along like a carry-on bag
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The battery features a pair of wheels and a pull-out handle, rolling along like a carry-on bag
The scooter itself folds up and rolls like a trolley
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The scooter itself folds up and rolls like a trolley
Ujet plans to bring its scooter to various world markets this year
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Ujet plans to bring its scooter to various world markets this year
Ujet electric scooter
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Ujet electric scooter
The Ujet features a front-facing HD camera and adaptive front LED lighting
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The Ujet features a front-facing HD camera and adaptive front LED lighting
The orbital wheels give the Ujet a distinctive look
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The orbital wheels give the Ujet a distinctive look
The Ujet comes in six different colors
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The Ujet comes in six different colors
The Ujet comes in six different colors
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The Ujet comes in six different colors
The Ujet comes in six different colors
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The Ujet comes in six different colors
The Ujet comes in six different colors
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The Ujet comes in six different colors
The Ujet battery can be charged via the onboard charger or optional fast charger
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The Ujet battery can be charged via the onboard charger or optional fast charger
Ujet electric scooter
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Ujet electric scooter
Folded up and ready to roll
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Folded up and ready to roll
Ujet scooter
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Ujet scooter
The accompanying app offers tracking, step-by-step directions to the scooter, security features and more
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The accompanying app offers tracking, step-by-step directions to the scooter, security features and more
Ujet electric scooter
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Ujet electric scooter
The flip-up digital display
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The flip-up digital display 
Ujet electric scooter
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Ujet electric scooter
The roll-along battery pack also features wireless speakers for music playback
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The roll-along battery pack also features wireless speakers for music playback
View gallery - 25 images

As flashy as electric cars like the Byton Concept and Fisker EMotion are, the most eye-grabbing vehicle debut from CES might just be a two-wheeler. The Ujet electric scooter looks vaguely like your average scooter, but perhaps something else entirely. Ujet calls it a sculptural, asymmetrical design, and it's driven by distinctive equipment like the center-less orbital wheels, alloy-composite construction and full connectivity. Enjoy a little extra flash and tech while scootering your way around the city.

The Ujet is just one in a long, ever-growing line of folding scooters designed for nimble urban mobility. But it's one that absolutely stands out from the pack. Ujet's description of a sculptural, asymmetrical frame is spot on, especially up front. The single-sided fork shows a twisted form and crisp edges that appear crafted for visual impact more than traditional functionality. Similarly, the rear wheel is attached on just one side.

The asymmetrical construction of the mixed magnesium alloy and carbon fiber frame is helped along by the 14-in hubless wheels, which are really the heart and soul of the Ujet. It's here that you'll find the integrated suspension and large-diameter disc brakes. The rear wheel houses the 5.4-hp/65 lb-ft motor that keeps the scooter rolling forward for up to 93 miles (150 km) per charge and provides regenerative braking.

Ujet electric scooter
Ujet electric scooter

Such a high-tech wheel deserves a high-tech tire, and Ujet touts the boosted performance of its nano-augmented tire technology, a rubber compound enhanced with Tuball single-wall carbon nanotubes. It calls them the lightest tires in the class and claims grip improvements in both wet and dry conditions and better abrasion resistance.

Ujet lists top speed at 28 mph (45 km/h) and offers two lithium-ion battery options, the base good for 43 miles (70 km) of range and the larger pack for the full 93 miles (150 km). The small battery charges in 1.5 to 3 hours and the large battery in 3 to 6 hours, depending on whether you're using the onboard charger or optional fast charger. The removable battery pack can even pop off the scooter and roll like a carry-on, with its two wheels and telescopic handle. It can also play music with integrated wireless speakers and charge external devices via two USB ports.

The roll-along battery pack also features wireless speakers for music playback
The roll-along battery pack also features wireless speakers for music playback

The frame construction, powertrain and removable battery are just the start of the Ujet's impressive technology suite. Its 7-in fold-up dash computer keeps connected via GPS, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and offers voice and touch control. A series of conveniently mounted buttons provide easy-access hard control when the rider is gripping the handlebars, while a smartphone app offers remote monitoring, tracking and control.

The flip-up digital display
The flip-up digital display 

Additionally, the Ujet has a front-facing HD camera for easy video recording. Its LED front lights include smart sensor control, automatically adjusting brightness to ambient light conditions. An anti-theft system alerts the owner of tampering and includes a remote shutdown feature within the smartphone app.

The Ujet scooter looks like a rigid frame, but it's actually a folder, compacting down in three simple steps. At 95 lb (43 kg) with the small battery and 108 lb (49 kg) with the large one, you probably won't want to lug it around on your shoulder too far, but its wheels line up side-by-side for easy rolling.

The scooter itself folds up and rolls like a trolley
The scooter itself folds up and rolls like a trolley

Ujet revealed its scooter at CES this week, and the Luxembourg-based company plans to launch it in major European cities like Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam in the first half of 2018, with US and Asian launches to follow in the second half of the year. It estimates pricing at US$8,900 for the 43-mile version and $9,900 for the 93-mile model. Options will include two frame styles, high and low seats, and six different colors. Ujet will also offer accessories like a fast charger, helmet and touch-friendly leather riding gloves.

The video below provides a nice overview of the Ujet's design and features.

INTRODUCING THE UJET ELECTRIC SCOOTER

Source: Ujet

View gallery - 25 images
7 comments
7 comments
Grunchy
Hubless wheels are no good. Junk.
Gaëtan Mahon
IMHO this does not look like what a hubless wheel is meant to be.
From my understanding, a hubless wheel does not include an axle about the diameter of the wheel with a bore just slightly smaller than that to achieve the "hollow" looks.
S Michael
$10,00 for a scotter... Nope...
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is nice. I think hubless wheels are really cool.
frogola24
28 miles per hour, not going to work.what else can i buy for 10 grand.
dougspair
....hub-less wheels have been around on the custom bike scene for years, and they all need large diameter ball bearings....but, you need to bring money...a LOT of it....!
Tony Stromboli
Sweet bike. Sour price. I’ll have to wait for the Chinese to make it 500 to 1000 bucks. Too expensive for me