Self-Driving Mobility Scooters Could Soon Be Reality
Reuters
1 min read
Nov 23, 2016, 05:59 PM
Key Highlights
- The self driving scooter is intended to drive pedestrians on footpaths
- The self driving mobility scooter can travel at speeds up to 6 km/h
- The self-driving scooter is still in the testing phase
After self-driving cars making it on roads, it could be self-driving mobility scooters that might just turn out to be the next big thing. Researchers in Singapore has come out with self-driving mobility scooters that drive single pedestrians along footpaths. The innovation has emerged out of the need to curb accidents involving phone-obsessed walkers, who are more vulnerable to bump into things due to the lack of attention. That said, it will be of great aid to the elderly too.
So, the one-seater, four-wheel, 50 kg vehicle is capable of travelling at a top speed of 6 km/h and has laser sensors to help navigate around obstacles. It slows down when it detects obstacles up to 4 km/h in front of it and has a 0.2 second response time.
The scooter is developed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the city-state's latest experiment with driverless vehicles as it pushes ahead with its vision of using autonomous technology to help deal with the challenges of its limited land and labour. The mobility scooter has undergone successful tests on campus and developers said it can help improve mobility for all ages, cut down on the need for cars and also lower accident rates.
NUS Associate Professor and project leader Marcelo Ang Jr said, "I'm sure you have experienced people who just use their handphone while walking, and almost run into you ... so it would be nice if you are just sitting down and checking your emails. "We just give you more choices."
Ang Jr said that the scooter would be able to work in tandem with other driverless vehicles in Singapore, where robo-taxis are being tested and trials are planned for self-driving buses. He said the scooter was meant for use on narrow pathways which larger vehicles cannot access. Currently, the scooter takes a few seconds to calibrate a different route when it nears an obstacle - something Ang Jr said the team was looking to improve.
Users, though, did not seem too bothered by the brief pause. "It goes really smoothly and travels very safely," said student Kevin Xiangyu Hui, who tested the scooter. The project, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), and NUS will be further tested and is not for sale. a
So, the one-seater, four-wheel, 50 kg vehicle is capable of travelling at a top speed of 6 km/h and has laser sensors to help navigate around obstacles. It slows down when it detects obstacles up to 4 km/h in front of it and has a 0.2 second response time.
The scooter is developed by the National University of Singapore (NUS), the city-state's latest experiment with driverless vehicles as it pushes ahead with its vision of using autonomous technology to help deal with the challenges of its limited land and labour. The mobility scooter has undergone successful tests on campus and developers said it can help improve mobility for all ages, cut down on the need for cars and also lower accident rates.
NUS Associate Professor and project leader Marcelo Ang Jr said, "I'm sure you have experienced people who just use their handphone while walking, and almost run into you ... so it would be nice if you are just sitting down and checking your emails. "We just give you more choices."
Ang Jr said that the scooter would be able to work in tandem with other driverless vehicles in Singapore, where robo-taxis are being tested and trials are planned for self-driving buses. He said the scooter was meant for use on narrow pathways which larger vehicles cannot access. Currently, the scooter takes a few seconds to calibrate a different route when it nears an obstacle - something Ang Jr said the team was looking to improve.
Users, though, did not seem too bothered by the brief pause. "It goes really smoothly and travels very safely," said student Kevin Xiangyu Hui, who tested the scooter. The project, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), and NUS will be further tested and is not for sale. a
Related News
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Trending News
1 min readTriumph Tracker 400: In Pictures
1 min readTriumph Tracker 400 Unveiled in UK
Latest News
Amaan Ahmed | Dec 18, 2025Nissan Gravite MPV (Renault Triber Derivative) To Be Launched Early In 2026Nearly seven years on from the launch of the MPV it shares its underpinnings with arrives Nissan's entry-level 7-seat model; to debut in January.2 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Dec 18, 2025Tata Sierra Pure, Pure+ Variants Explained In PicturesThe Pure trim of the Sierra is priced from Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.49 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the powertrain option. Here is a breakdown of what it gets.3 mins read
Janak Sorap | Dec 17, 2025Triumph Tracker 400: In PicturesTriumph has unveiled the new Tracker 400 based on the Speed 400. Here’s a quick look at the motorcycle in pictures.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Dec 17, 2025Tata Sierra Smart Plus Revealed In Official Pictures: What Do You Get For Rs 11.49 Lakh?While nearly everyone has seen the Sierra in pictures and many in person at dealerships, you’ll likely only have seen the top models. But what is the base variant like?2 mins read
car&bike Team | Dec 17, 20252025 Ducati Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2 Recalled In The USThe recall states that two ABS fuses may have been inadvertently fitted in the wrong positions during wiring assembly and could increase the risk of a crash.3 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | Dec 17, 2025Updated Bajaj Pulsar 220F Does Not Get Dual-Channel ABS; Company Issues ClarificationBajaj Auto has confirmed that the updated Pulsar 220F does not feature dual-channel ABS, contradicting earlier reports.1 min read
Janak Sorap | Dec 11, 2025Harley-Davidson X440 T First Ride Review: Smarter and SharperHarley-Davidson has taken the X440 and given it a more focused and engaging twist. The result is the X440 T—essentially the same platform but updated in areas that give the motorcycle more appeal and riders more thrill.5 mins read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Dec 10, 20252025 Mini Cooper Convertible Review: More Colour On Indian RoadsThe updated Mini Cooper Convertible is set to be launched in the Indian market in the next few days. We drive it around Jaisalmer for a quick review.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Dec 8, 2025Tata Sierra Review: India’s New Favourite?Marking its return after a few decades, the reborn Sierra has made everyone sit up and take notice. But is it worth the hype?10 mins read
Girish Karkera | Dec 4, 20252026 Honda Prelude First Drive: Domesticated Civic Type RA sporty-looking coupe built to give customers a taste of performance but not at the expense of everyday practicality.5 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Nov 29, 2025Mahindra XEV 9S First Drive Review: Big Electric SUV, Bigger ExpectationsThe XEV 9S lands at a time when the EV crowd is growing fast. It’s a big, born-electric, three-row SUV that starts under 20 lakh. It sits close to the XUV700 in size, but the brief is very different. Here’s what it’s like on the road.11 mins read