Designers: Carson Brown, TAUR Technologies, Makers Department, HyperSuper, Sketch Physical, London, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: TAUR Technologies, London, United Kingdom
Safety concerns are the #1 barrier to adoption of electric scooters. And it’s no wonder – the fundamental design of e-scooters has barely changed since they were first introduced as toys for kids in skateparks.
Back then, the ‘kick scooter’ had only been designed for low speed on smooth ground. More recently, millions of people have begun riding e-scooters at high speed, on rough roads, alongside traffic, and at night.
So, with this in mind, TAUR set out to redesign them so you feel safe to ride one and proud to own it. TAUR is the first ‘forward-facing’ e-scooter – the rider stands facing forward on two foot platforms.
This fold-out ‘deck’ is 2.5x wider than usual, which keeps the rider-centered, comfortable and well-balanced. It also gives them the flexibility to look behind themselves in either direction for better traffic awareness.
This unique design makes the product shorter too, leaving space for wheels 2-3x bigger than usual. TAUR’s 12.5 inch, puncture-resistant Continental® tires make worrying about potholes a thing of the past.
For such a portable product, TAUR’s large wheels are a first for the industry. Riding at night is no less innovative. Whereas most e-scooter rear lighting is close to the ground and difficult to see, TAUR’s rear light projection technology shines an additional Cree® LED upwards.
This illuminates the rider’s entire body from behind so they are visible to other road users at eye level. TAUR is designed for when you’re not riding the product too – the full experience of ‘ownership’.
The minimal aesthetic looks great in your apartment. It folds and stores vertically in a fraction of the usual storage footprint. It has rigorous security features, low battery notifications, remote immobilization – and a lifespan far beyond the average e-scooter.
TAUR was designed in a ‘modular’ way, using many off-the-shelf components. If a regular bike shop can’t fix it, a replacement module can be shipped for local installation. In fact, TAUR is the first e-scooter built to leverage bike repair shops (a huge, pre-existing global repairs infrastructure).
This minimizes shipping costs, CO2, and unnecessary landfill. The product solves safety; the #1 barrier to adoption. At the same time, it’s an upgrade in style, practicality, and product lifespan. The designers believe TAUR will help accelerate the shift towards this incredible new mode of sustainable transport.
