The last mile transportation is all the rage now. Ever since the introduction of self-balancing technology, there have been several innovative last mile transportations like the more typical electric scooter, hoverboard that does not quite hover – just to name a couple. There are even some that takes balancing to a whole new level with monowheel variety. Speaking of which, there’s a new monowheel transportation device in town and it is called Kiwano K01 Electric Scooter. Unlike most monowheel transportation, K01 is much like a skatescooter minus the rear section, or you can think of it as the original Segway but with just one wheel.
However, instead of monster size wheel like Segway, it has a stubby wheel that is driven by a torquey 1,000W hub motor that offers a top speed of 20 miles an hour (32 km/h) with the ability to tackle incline of up to 35 percent. And it is pretty strong too, with the capability of taking on a rider as heavy as 550 lbs (250 kilograms) – something which not many small electric transportation devices can claim. The motor is juiced by certified LG battery cells rated at 4.4 Ah, good for up to 20 miles range (32 km), and they are neatly hidden away and shielded in the vertical stem of the handle bar to prevent nasty fire or explosion.
At 35 lbs (16 kilograms), this carbon fiber and zinc alloy construction electric monowheeler is not exactly featherlight, but thankfully, you won’t have to flex your muscles to lug it along when you decided not to ride it because a dedicate app enables you to remotely control it (much like a RC car), or you could, at a touch of button, make it follow you as you stroll around.
Other notables include an integrated suspension (a rare feature in such vehicle, if we may add), IP54 rated for dust and water resistant, action camera-friendly, front and back LED lights, built-in LCD display that offers essential data at a glance, anti-slip and adjustable rider foot pegs, and finally, a built-in kickstand to enable it to stand upright when parked. Kiwano promised regular firmware to ensure the vehicle will “always be running at the highest performance.”
Kiwano is now taking in pre-orders where you can secure a unit at a discounted sticker of $799. Eventual retail price is said to be $999.
Images: Kiwano.
