Japanese partners deliver portable, inflatable TPU scooter

Tokyo – Japanese research institute Mercari R4D and the University of Japan are jointly developing a portable scooter with its inflatable body made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
 
The project commenced in January 2019 and a prototype dubbed Poimo, coined from ‘portable and inflatable mobility’ has already been unveiled.
 
Designed for last-kilometre journeys, Poimo can be folded to fit in a backpack to carry along and inflated in a few minutes to an optimal operating pressure from 40 to 50 kPa. Drop stitch TPU fabrics make the body both light and strong, said the University.
 
The body weighs 2.3kg and the whole scooter, including rubber wheels, a small motor and a wireless controller, weighs 5.5kg. The researchers are looking to reduce the weight and make the product safer, more durable and easier to drive.
 
As the thermoplastic material is easily customisable, the researchers also explored other choices of shape such as mobile sofas for relaxing at waterfront resorts, for example.