Urban Transport

Folding electric kickscooter rolls with self-balancing ease

Folding electric kickscooter rolls with self-balancing ease
The Mantour X is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
The Mantour X is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
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The Mantour X is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
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The Mantour X is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
The Mantour X folding electric kickscooter features an integrated kickstand, or you can just lean it against a wall
2/5
The Mantour X folding electric kickscooter features an integrated kickstand, or you can just lean it against a wall
The Mantour X has a top speed of 12.4 mph, with acceleration controlled via a thumb throttle
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The Mantour X has a top speed of 12.4 mph, with acceleration controlled via a thumb throttle
The Mantour X is said to be best suited to smooth pavement
4/5
The Mantour X is said to be best suited to smooth pavement
The self-balancing tech means that the Mantour X can be rolled along with minimum effort
5/5
The self-balancing tech means that the Mantour X can be rolled along with minimum effort
View gallery - 5 images

At first glance the Mantour X from FlowDot looks like many other compact folding e-kickscooters. But when folded, it stays upright on its front wheel as you roll it smoothly along.

When folded up to 31.6 x 5.4 x 7.1 inch (80.2 x 13.7 x 18 cm) dimensions and the powered Follow Mode is engaged, a custom algorithm ensures that the 16-lb (7.3-kg) electric kickscooter stands up straight so it can be rolled along with "no effort required." The design team says that users can go from folded to ride-ready in under five seconds.

The self-balancing tech means that the Mantour X can be rolled along with minimum effort
The self-balancing tech means that the Mantour X can be rolled along with minimum effort

Acceleration is via a thumb throttle on the left grip, and the right is where you'll find an electric braking slider switch and a mode button. Extra stopping power is provided by a physical brake to the rear. To the top of the adjustable steering column is an LED display that shows trip info such as speed and remaining charge.

The 240-W front hub motor is reported to offer a top speed of 12.4 mph (20 km/h), while the battery should be good for 12.4 miles of range per four hour charge. Elsewhere, there's an LED headlight is incorporated into the front shell and the e-kickscooter comes with an IP54 waterproof rating. There doesn't look to be any suspension on this thing, with its makers confirming that it's best suited to smooth pavement rather than cobbled streets.

The Mantour X folding electric kickscooter features an integrated kickstand, or you can just lean it against a wall
The Mantour X folding electric kickscooter features an integrated kickstand, or you can just lean it against a wall

FlowDot is taking the Kickstarter route to production, with a campaign that's already blown past its modest target with 48 days to go. Pledges start at HKD 2,490 (about US$320) and, should all go to plan, shipping is estimated to start in March, 2020. The video below has more.

Mantour X: The Lightweight Foldable Self-Balancing E-Scooter

View gallery - 5 images
3 comments
3 comments
Thud
That cannot self balance. It may be able to balance on the Y axis. But not on the X axis unless it uses gyroscopic stabilization. Which I doubt.
MQ
What in this gimmick is worthy of mention??

Self Balancing is Passe' these-days... EV's are trivial.
Oh does it have an App? = Unique!!
Anne Ominous
This is yet another example of piss-poor engineering.

Skateboards get away with small wheels in 2 ways:

#1: Actual skate parks are designed to not have large step-wise discontinuities.

#2: On the street, skateboarders avoid such discontinuities via constant vigilance and "jumping".

Wheels of this size are NOT suitable for general, casual, street transportation.

Not!

Companies with experience in this field know that the MINIMAL tire diameter — regardless of front or back — must be AT LEAST 9 inches, to navigate even urban obstacles.