Sustainable two-wheeler
How an electric scooter is made from recycled steel using origami technology
The Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1) is created using origami technology
© Stilride
From old steel to a modern vehicle: A Swedish company has developed an electric scooter that is said to be significantly more climate-friendly than other two-wheelers. The production of the e-scooter should be possible in any steel works and thus reduce the CO2 footprint.
The Swedish start-up Stilride is planning to launch an electric scooter that combines everything: an unusual look, sustainable production and the use of folded recycled steel. In contrast to conventional two-wheelers, the Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1) does not consist of a tubular frame and a plastic body – but of steel folded using origami technology.
The Japanese art of folding has so far hardly found its way into vehicle construction. But at Stilride, robots are supposed to fold recycled stainless steel sheets made from green hydrogen and heated with the help of laser beams. This makes it easier to bend the steel into three-dimensional shapes.
According to media reports, co-founder Tue Beijer said that the folding process creates “a really defined design DNA” with “beautiful surface transitions between concave and convex surfaces”. And in addition to a special look, the body should also be more robust.
Electric scooters more sustainable throughout the production process
The Swedish start-up announces improvements throughout the production process. Production is expected to reduce labor costs by 25 percent. At the same time, 70 percent fewer raw materials should be required. As a result, Stilride states that the climate impact is reduced by half compared to the production of other scooters. In order to reduce the CO2 footprint, the company wants to produce as close as possible to the consumer. The project envisages delivering the folded steel sheets to existing steelworks, where they will ultimately be processed into e-scooters.
The Swedish company Robotdalen is currently simulating the production of the SUS1. As soon as the technology has proven to be profitable, Stilride wants to start production. The company, which was founded in 2019, recently received a cash injection of 2.5 million pounds.
According to the manufacturer, the SUS1, which is Stilride’s first e-scooter, should cover more than 120 kilometers with a 48 V lithium-ion battery and reach a top speed of 100 km/h. The two-wheeler is scheduled to hit the European market this year, and there are already 90,000 people on the waiting list. Stilride plans to launch more sustainable electric motorcycles and scooters using the origami technique.
Sources: Techfundingnews, car, hypebeast, style ride