Urban Transport

Folding electric scooter can be carried in the hand or in a backpack

Folding electric scooter can be carried in the hand or in a backpack
Top speed is 12.4 mph, and per charge range shapes up as 12.4 miles, or 5.5 miles when using an airplane-safe battery
Top speed is 12.4 mph, and per charge range shapes up as 12.4 miles, or 5.5 miles when using an airplane-safe battery
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The BooZter features 300-lumens front light strips
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The BooZter features 300-lumens front light strips
The BooZter electric scooter tips the scales at 14 lb
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The BooZter electric scooter tips the scales at 14 lb
The flip-up foot rests allow for a forward-facing ride
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The flip-up foot rests allow for a forward-facing ride
The BooZter folds down for between-ride transit in a backpack or laptop bag
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The BooZter folds down for between-ride transit in a backpack or laptop bag
The BooZter folds down to 10 x 18.5 inches in 10 seconds
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The BooZter folds down to 10 x 18.5 inches in 10 seconds
Top speed is 12.4 mph, and per charge range shapes up as 12.4 miles, or 5.5 miles when using an airplane-safe battery
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Top speed is 12.4 mph, and per charge range shapes up as 12.4 miles, or 5.5 miles when using an airplane-safe battery
The BooZter has an integrated carry handle, but can also fold down to backpack-friendly proportions
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The BooZter has an integrated carry handle, but can also fold down to backpack-friendly proportions
View gallery - 7 images

Micro-mobility startup WheelKinetic has launched a squat little electric scooter called the BooZter which folds down to a portable package that can be carried by hand or thrown in a backpack.

Like the Taur electric scooter we featured in October, the BooZter sports a flip-up foot rest on either side of its frame that allows for a forward-facing stance when on the move. And also like the Taur, the maker WheelKinect – which has an R&D center in the Ukraine and a sales office in the US – is seeking production funding over on Kickstarter for its unusual-looking ride.

Constructed using carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum, the 14-lb (6.5-kg) electric scoot is small enough to fit in a backpack or even a laptop bag when folded down to 10 x 18.5 inches (26 x 47 cm) in around 10 seconds, or can be carried by hand using a convenient integrated handle. And interestingly, when the ride is folded down, its wheels sit inside the unit to potentially lock away any dirt accumulated while scooting.

A 250-W rear wheel motor is reckoned to offer a top speed of 12.4 mph (20 km/h), while the replaceable battery has a per charge range of 12.4 miles (20 km). Or a less powerful battery can be installed to make the scooter compatible with TSA air-travel regulations. Either way, regen braking is onboard to potentially eke a little more range from the battery.

The BooZter folds down for between-ride transit in a backpack or laptop bag
The BooZter folds down for between-ride transit in a backpack or laptop bag

The BooZter rides on 8-in (20-cm) puncture-proof wheels, has two light strips at the front that light up the route ahead with 300 lumens, and 80-lumens brake/night lighting to the rear. And as you might expect for a 21st century electric scooter, there's an iOS/Android mobile app available for checking battery status, tweaking performance, customizing the lights, viewing trip info and engaging different riding modes.

Kickstarter pledges for the BooZter start at US$899, with the estimated retail price being $1,300. The usual crowdfunding caveats apply, but if all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in August 2021. The video below has more.

BooZter: Ultracompact Premium Electric City Scooter (Canceled)

Source: WheelKinetic

View gallery - 7 images
5 comments
5 comments
michael_dowling
Thank goodness this is being developed. Finally a way to get you from the front door to your car without all that walking!
PB
Awesome product. General Aviation aircraft owners should flock to this - the problem, when arriving at a smaller airport, is often transportation to a hotel, a meeting, and this can be stored in a baggage compartment and then used after landing.
Dan Lewis
This one looks like winner. I predict big sales, barring the unforeseen.
Bruce H. Anderson
Wide platform, which helps stability. Two 8" wheels helps the ride. The short wheelbase makes it a little squirrelly (you can see the wobble in the video). Compared to a Segway 9bot or its ilk I am not sure it is a better choice.
Lee Bell
Whoever actually designed that one was really thinking about it. I like it. It's a nice looking scooter and easy to pack up when needed. It's a bit short so the steering is a bit sensitive but you can't have everything. It looks like it would be easy to master though.