Fancy a 'car' that's as big as a 13-inch laptop?

MANILA: Yes, you can stow it in your backpack after your ride. 

Japan-based Cocoa Motors, Inc. recently introduced the Walkcar, a “portable car” that's only as big as a 13-inch laptop. This new innovation clearly provides independent mobility without the, well, bulk, high price, and need for a parking slot.

Walkcar has earned a total of roughly 7,800 pre-orders from 13 countries worldwide.

A lot of research and development has been made on this particular innovation, along with product enhancement, for at least four years since the product was first launched in 2016. It has now been officially introduced globally.

The Walkcar can fit in any bag and its shape is ideal for safety. The vehicle height is only 74mm above ground (approximately similar to the width of a smartphone). The flat, square standing surface, enables anyone to set off automatically and safely in any specific direction.

Aside from its compact size, it only weighs 2.9 kg and attains a speed of up to 16kph. Its safety features include an automatic stopping function.

The body frame utilizes a “carbonaceous material” that objectifies “smooth driving” and is “super light.” It provides adequate strength to the four-wheel independent suspension, and “machined extra super duralumin” material of specific grade utilized in the aerospace industry has also been used.

The Walkcar also features hands-free control such that the four sensors mounted within the standing surface enable anyone to manage the basic maneuver upon shifting of weight for turning, deceleration, and acceleration without the use of a remote controller or handle. Furthermore, it instantaneously stops when the user gets off from it.

An exceptional in-wheel motor for the Walkcar has also been enhanced after five years of pursuing it. The body is completely incorporated through welding, which minimized the space for the screws and optimized the coil space significantly. It moves at the speed of bicycles at 16kph and can go up slopes of up to 10 degrees.

It's priced at US$2,280 (plus shipping, depending on your location).

Photos from Cocoa Motors, Inc.

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