The inflatable e-bike
It looks like a toy, but is actually an inflatable e-bike. The Poimo was developed at the University of Tokyo and is set to go into series production worldwide in a similar form.
A team of researchers and students from the University of Tokyo has developed an inflatable e-bike that riders can stow in their rucksack. Strictly speaking, the item is an e-scooter, as it has no pedals. The bike-scooter hybrid - I'll stick with e-bike for the sake of simplicity - is called Poimo, which means "Portable and Inflatable Mobility". It consists of a body made of thermoplastic, particularly elastic polyurethane, TPU for short, and removable components such as handles, wheels, battery and motor. The students were inspired by the inflatable Disney robot Baymax.
Soft Mobility
Poimo is inflated with a small pump in just a few minutes. The inflatable e-bike was developed for short trips in the city or for travelling the last mile from the train or bus station to your final destination. It is light enough for you to carry around deflated and folded in a bag and is the result of developments in soft robotics technology and personal mobility. Something researchers call "soft mobility": soft, light and inflatable.
The rigid components of the e-bike, which include two 8-inch front wheels, two 6-inch rear wheels, a motor, a built-in radio control and a 70 x 110 millimetre battery, weigh around 5.5 kilograms in total. According to the developers, the soft body would protect both pedestrians and the driver in the event of an accident and create a "new relationship between people and mobility".
The characteristics of the e-bike also mean that it can be easily customised. As the body is made of glued-together fabrics, you can theoretically mould it into any shape you want.
While Poimo is currently only a prototype, the final product is intended to be lighter and even easier to transport.
Does it have to be?
Finally you can inflate your e-bike as well as your air mattress, water wings, SUP board and muscles. It's about time. Seriously: doubts about the functionality and performance of the Poimo are justified. The battery seems to be about the size of a book and probably has a correspondingly low capacity. Nothing is yet known about the performance of the compact electric motor either. It's nice that something like this will soon be available. Do we need it? No. Maybe we should just walk the last mile. It's healthier and certainly looks better.
From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.