A combination of innovative design and sustainable new production techniques are responsible for the first stainless-steel electric scooter made by Swedish innovation company Stilride. With Semcon as its partner, the company is planning to challenge traditional manufacturing techniques and pave the way for new design by using robots to fold steel.

“Our ambition was to create the world’s most attractive, most sustainable electric scooter,” states Tue Beijer, industrial designer at Semcon and one of the founders of Stilride. “By using industrial robotic origami we can fold structures from a flat sheet of metal in completely new ways and create shapes true to the material’s characteristics and geometric nature.”
It all began as a Vinnova-funded research project, looking at how a new way of shaping steel could pave the way for new design and business opportunities. The first result of the project is the Stilride SUS1 electric scooter, which is now available to purchase. This powered scooter has a novel design, innovative technical features, durable, efficient batteries, and a powerful electric motor.

“The environmental footprint of the production process for this product is minimal, while our ‘Light.Fold’ production technology makes for flexible manufacture,” says Beijer. “In addition, stainless steel can be recycled, and it offers long service life.”

Semcon’s responsibilities in the venture involved CAD, mechanical engineering and project management. The business community and academia will now further examine the advanced production method devised for the project.

For further information
www.semcon.com