The Skidscooter, an amphibious scooter concept
Click on the image for more shots of the Skidscooter
Here's a concept that we never would have thought of ourselves: the Skidscooter. This award-winning design melds two transportation methods - a powered electric scooter on land and a swimming-aid in water - into one product. On land, both the front and rear wheels are powered by in-hub electric motors and those same motors provide motive force on water, acting as propellers with their thrust directed towards the rear of the device. Does anybody actually need a device like this? Probably not, with the possible exception of a certain British spy and people who want to cheat in a triathlon. At least it looks like a well-designed answer to one question nobody asked.
Gallery: The Skidscooter
[Source: jieyu-design via Trend Hunter]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 3:17PM (4/09/2008)
Electric motors and batteries are relatively heavy. There's no suspension on this design, much less any buoyancy to keep it afloat in the water.
Plus, short circuit, anyone? Between the sand and salt left over after the water has evaporated, no seal will remain watertight for very long. After just a few visits to the beach, the fuses will (hopefully) fly as soon as a wheel touches water.
Finally, do you really want to give your overactive boy a.k.a. Destructosaurus Rex such an expensive gadget?
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Jason 10:29PM (4/09/2008)
In industrial design courses, I reckon there is far too little emphasis on engineering. This is evidence of that, and it is evidence of why there are so many ID students and so few ID positions in industry.
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Chris M 11:24PM (4/09/2008)
It is possible to design brushless permenent magnet motors or induction motors to be completely submersible, with no rotating seals to worry about.
Still, a good scooter design wouldn't necessarily make a good water tow, and vice versa. Too many design compromises.
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Ekin Atli 12:23PM (7/25/2008)
Where can I buy this in the States? is it on the market yet?
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Kurt Klingsbigl 2:02PM (4/01/2009)
Dear Jeremy,
is it possible to buy some scooter now?We would make an large order.
Thaks for ansewr
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ALJUNAIBI 5:47AM (5/20/2009)
HI,,DO YOU LOOK FOR AGENT IN UAE ? PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ,,,THANX.
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