Introducing the next generation of micro-mobility vehicle
A resource-efficient, climate-friendly, environmentally sustainable, safe and seamless transport system is a key objective of the EU. However, there are several challenges facing the attainment of sustainable mobility, one of which involves the use of different and optimally combined transport modes in a seamless way. One solution for greater sustainability in smart city transport systems is intermodal passenger transport. More specifically, light, low-occupancy vehicles with smart features appear to be a key element in achieving intermodality within a city. “In this context, the EU-funded DREEM project set out to finalise and test a safe and modular electric kick scooter for personal urban and suburban mobility in three pilot cases: the City of Torino, the University of Gothenburg, and Tractebel,” explains Alessandra Chianale, work package two project leader.
Achieving greater comfort and safety
“On one hand, our aim was to provide improvements to the safety of electric kick scooters compared to existing micro-mobility vehicles. For instance by providing a more sustainable and lighter easier-to-fold e-kick scooter equipped with a special safety key feature, a newly designed inflatable helmet realised by consortium partner, Bumpair,” notes Chianale. On the other hand, the project worked towards developing a comprehensive user experience centred around the DREEM service. “We wanted to offer the user a flexible range tailored to their needs,” adds Chianale. The project also aimed to provide a mobility solution that is integrated with existing networks via the DREEM App and innovative business models to offer a mobility solution adapted to different types of users and ecosystems.
Delivering the next generation micro mobility vehicle
Project work led to the release of a final prototype: the DREEM electric kick scooter. It represents a new generation micro-mobility vehicle with numerous innovative features that prioritise safety and comfort. It offers a larger deck, three wheels for enhanced stability, and a removable, portable battery to allow for convenient recharging anywhere, as well as the option of replacing it with a fully-charged one for extended mileage. It is a smart, foldable solution which can be carried like a trolley. “It is easier to ride, reduces the feeling of instability, and offers a higher sense of safety thanks to the collision alert system integrated into the vehicle,” outlines Chianale. This is made possible by a rear-side camera which detects and recognises objects, calculates the risk of collision, and provides acoustic and visual alarms to the rider via the mobile display connected to the vehicle through the DREEM App. The display also functions as an electronic rear mirror. “The DREEM App is also key to improving the user experience,” adds Chianale. It can connect to the scooter to verify status, register the rider profile, as well as provide users with all the information necessary to operate the scooter. In addition, in Italy, the DREEM App has been integrated with ticketing and mobility information to improve multimodality. Discussing next steps, Chianale concludes: “The plan is to prepare for the potential production of the kick scooter. This requires a full analysis of what is needed to launch the product. Moreover, DREEM will monitor the deployment of the mobility ecosystem in the follower cities that participated in the project as representatives of different European mobility cultures, each with distinct experiences and micro-mobility needs.”
Keywords
DREEM, electric kick scooter, micro-mobility vehicle, urban and suburban mobility
