Micro-mobility devices present an environmentally friendly and traffic-free means of commuting in urban centers. Little wonder they are becoming more popular in this age. Unfortunately, portability has been a significant drawback of the standard micro-mobility options.
The people that need them the most also need to get on buses or trains to get to their destination. However, most of the available devices are either impossible to carry along or too bulky to carry conveniently. Cocoa Motors hope to solve this problem with the Walkcar, a commuting device that’s just about the size of your laptop.
Design and features
Walkcar is more of a skateboard than a car. Unlike conventional skateboards, however, Walkcar is solely electric and controlled by motor sensors. The device’s wheels are arranged to form a square, and electric motors power the front wheels. According to the manufacturers, all four wheels are fully suspended, and the rear wheels are responsible for swiveling to help with steering.
Speed and range
According to the manufacturers’ ratings, Walkcar has a range of 3.1 miles in the Sport Mode and 4.3 miles in the Eco Mode. However, previous experience with mobility devices should tell anyone that the range may fall short of the manufacturer’s quote. The Sport Mode promises a thrilling ride with a top speed of 10mph, slightly higher than the average speed of electric skateboards. If you’re scared of going too fast, the Eco mode’s 6mph top speed should be more than ideal.
Hands-free operation
Most electric skateboards come with hand remotes that control acceleration or braking. But we already know that Walkcar is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The device has no button or remote, yet, it remains easy to ride for everyone, thanks to the four sensors built into the boarding surface.
Riders can steer by leaning their body weight to one side and forward and backward leaning control acceleration and braking. Walkcar also stops automatically on getting off. Actually, the bodyweight control technology is not entirely novel as we’ve seen it on revolutionary electric skateboards like the Spectra X. But Walkcar appears to take it a notch higher.
As portable as they come
Walkcar is just about your laptop’s average size, making it the most portable commuting device around. The iPad on four wheels is made chiefly from carbon fiber and aluminum, materials known for their lightweight and toughness. At 6.4 Ibs, Walkcar’s weight is slightly above the average laptop’s, making it even easier to carry around.
The device’s small motors further enhance the lightweight and compact frame. The manufacturers claim that Walkcar uses the most miniature in-wheel motors in the world, but they can generate up to 260W continuous power and 600W peak power. The power generated is enough to climb inclines of about 10 degrees or less.
Pricing info
Walkcar is currently priced at around $1,800 excluding tax. This price looks pretty steep, especially when you consider the fact that there are more powerful electric scooters or skateboards in the same price range. However, portability is the major selling point of Walkcar, and there’s hardly any as portable. For now, the device is only available in Asia, but Cocoa Motors hope to scale to other continents soon.
