Urban Transport

Electric scooter folds to become a hand trolley

View 5 Images
The Mimo C1, seen here in its scooter configuration
Mimo Motor
The Mimo C1 scooter is currently on Indiegogo
Mimo Motor
The Mimo C1 has dual LED headlights and a tail light
Mimo Motor
The Mimo C1's transformation process is said to take just three seconds
Mimo Motor
The Mimo C1 in hand trolley mode
Mimo Motor
The Mimo C1, seen here in its scooter configuration
Mimo Motor
View gallery - 5 images

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.

The Mimo C1's transformation process is said to take just three seconds
Mimo Motor

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.

The Mimo C1 in hand trolley mode
Mimo Motor

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.

Source: Indiegogo

View gallery - 5 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
6 comments
paul314
Once you've used it as a trolley to collect all that cargo, what do you do with the cargo when you turn the gizmo back into a scooter for the trip home?
RoGuE_StreaK
@paul134, looks like you just ride off with it still in the cargo holder? Potentially quite useful for all those inner-city bike food delivery people.
A little unclear as whether the maximum cargo weight is in addition to the user weight, if not, what's the ratio of cargo to rider, eg. can an 80kg rider carry 40kg of cargo while riding?
Trylon
I remember seeing a similar design student project quite a few years ago. Rather than a swappable cargo unit, it was built around a suitcase, flat side forward. On the sides of the suitcase were relatively large wheels about 6"/150mm in diameter, so in scooter configuration, it was a more stable tadpole trike rather than a two-wheeler. When the rear wheel was folded up, it could be pulled like a two-wheeled rolling suitcase or hand truck.
ppeter
Looks like a great cargobike alternative for big city dwellers in countries that over-regulate bicycle traffic but let electric scooters roam free. Not sure to whom else it would provide more value than a cargo bike... Maybe people living in neighbourhoods where You can not leave a cargo bike outside over the night?
Username
This would be perfect to go to my summer beer league hockey games. Not many if any cargo bike can handle a standard hockey bag. The rack on this being so low would have no trouble accommodating one vertically.
PAV
Except for the conspicuously high price, this is brilliant.