Urban Scooter Project

The Urban Scooter Project (USP) is a proof-of-concept prototype to test the viability of ultra-portable lightweight scooter design using innovative mechanisms and non-traditional materials.

Main Frame Design

  • Deck: Three-part 1/8" 6061 aluminum deck plate, target mass ~207 g.
  • Structure: Carbon fiber tubing for the primary structural members — high strength-to-weight ratio and low mass (single tube 200 g).
  • Bracing: Custom aluminum braces connect plate sections to carbon fiber tubes. Iterated via FEA to minimize weight (~22 g per brace) while maintaining a safety factor ≈ 4 at 1000 N static load.
Deck Fea

Collapsible Mechanism

Tubes of varying diameters slide on bushings enabling >30% collapse in length for compact storage. Design focuses on lightweight, durable locking geometry.

Tubing

Full Mechanical Assembly

Assembly includes the deck, telescoping front steering assembly, and wheels. Parts are either off-the-shelf or custom-fabricated. The project is currently funded and in fabrication — renders of the full and folded assemblies are included.

Full Scooter Folded

Future Work

Complete fabrication of the first iteration, test dynamic performance, iterate for manufacturability, and optimize for rider comfort and portability.