What we have achieved in 20 years
The History of the TravelScoot’s origins up to the new Escape and Shopping Cruiser models
By Hartmut „Hardy“ Huber
As a result of my horrific hang glider crash in 1975, my difficulties walking became more severe around the turn of the millennium.
I tried using an aluminum kick scooter, popular at the time, with very limited success, as this helped me only for short stretches. Soon, the fun was over and the struggle began. Even standing was no less taxing, but having to stand in line is and has been a daily nuisance.
Electric mobility scooters were available by that time, but these were without exception ugly, heavy monstrosities and carried the handicapped stigma of a wheelchair. Furthermore, they could only be used in one location because loading them into any other vehicle would have required a forklift.
10 years prior, while in the US, I had built my own experimental aircraft. Flying is great, but once you land, you are back to being a pedestrian, which is exactly what I wasn’t so much anymore.
I needed something light and foldable for daily life. In 2004, after a year of development, and inspired by the lightweight kick scooters and other wheeled sports gear, the world’s lightest, folding electric mobility scooter was born. I named it TravelScoot, a name that remains today and we will keep.
Despite initial difficulties such as small, narrow wheels, heavy lead-acid batteries and lack of reverse function, the TravelScoot was an immediate success. The next version introduced two years later already featured wider rear wheels and shortly thereafter lithium-ion batteries, which represented brand new technology at that time.
It did not take long for word of the TravelScoot’s super-high-strength structure to get around in the notoriously overweight US, where people weighing over 400 lbs soon to appreciate and praise the TravelScoot.
Concurrently, short-statured people (Dwarfism) began to notice the TravelScoot; a conversion kit allowed adaptation for their use.
This version of the TravelScoot remained essentially unchanged for the next 5 years, until a specially designed hub motor replaced the belt-drive motor in 2012. This gave the TravelScoot the long-awaited reverse function as well as improved durability against mud and snow. At the same time I developed a proportionally smaller TravelScoot version for children as well as smaller-statured adults around 5 ft or less, and designated it Junior. We also introduced another, 8-pound lighter, version called the Shopper, with smaller wheels lower-output motor and lower top speed. It, too, was available in two sizes, and was particularly popular and useful for indoor venues.
As the demand for the TravelScoot went global around 2008, I began to travel extensively. During this time I developed many ideas for improvements and accessories to make travel even easier.
The TravelScoot soon became popular among walking-disabled cruise passengers, as well, and I took part in these voyages mainly to gather information. I quickly found that about half of all cabin doors were too narrow for the regular-size TravelScoot. It was possible to navigate these doorways with angling and tipping the scooter, but this was still awkward. I also realized that when operating the TravelScoot in tight pedestrian areas aboard ship as well as in crowded markets and other venues one would have to be careful not to accidentally clip other people with the rear wheels, which could be quite painful, even at low speeds, and which was quite embarrassing and would necessitate an apology. That is why I began using the slightly narrower Junior version in these situations. At 5ft 9in I found the Junior a bit snug but still manageable, and the lower seating position afforded plenty of tipping stability. The 7cm (2.75 inch)-narrower frame fit through any and all cabin doors, and the propensity for clipping unsuspecting bystanders was greatly reduced. It goes without saying that the smaller dimensions made loading into vehicle trunks etc. much easier.
We also noted over the years that particularly frail individuals sometimes had trouble stepping over upward sloping bars, and had to decline purchasing. This despite their enthusiasm for the concept and especially the light weight.
After seven years of otherwise successful production of the latest model, with the Junior and Shopper together comprising about 15% of total sales, it was time again in 2020 for a new model incorporating all the information and feedback collected over the past years.
This was prompted by our manufacturer’s announcement that, while the production figures for our main model were quite good, the numbers for the Junior and Shopper versions were not. We would have to either significantly increase production quantity or raise prices by a large amount. This would not have made good sense, so I chose to charge ahead and produce the new Escape and Shopping Cruiser. The main attribute is that all four of the previous models can now be produced from one single base platform, an elongated Junior frame. The only differences between the variants are motors and wheels, as well as a specially designed yoke for small-statured riders to place their sitting position forward.
For people with limited ability to walk and stand, getting on and off the scooter is no longer a strenuous “climb” but rather more like an “entry” since the new V-frame is less than half the original height.
In line with the new design we also considerably expanded our range of accessories, leaving nothing to be desired for carrying baggage and purchases while traveling or shopping.
This makes the TravelScoot the globally undisputed load-carrying champion.
2004 - After a year in development, the TravelScoot ™ rapidly gains popularity in the USA.
2006 - TravelScoot ™ introduces the second generation, featuring wider rear wheels and a significant load increase.
2007 - The lithium-ion battery reduces the already-low weight by another 30% while increasing the range by 40%.
2008 - Our first accessory, the folding basket for front and/or rear, is introduced.
2009 - TravelScoot ™ now offers the travel set for air travel, and the TravelScoot ™ Junior for smaller riders.
2010 - Beginning in 2010, TravelScoot ™ launches international distributorships, now including Europe, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, South America and Turkey.
2011 - TravelScoot ™ introduces its trailer.
2012-2013 - TravelScoot ™ completes the development of the 3rd generation, featuring a reversing rim motor.
2013 - The TravelScoot ™ Shopper provides yet another siginificant weight reduction. Conversions for walking-disabled children and very small-statured riders are now available.
2013 - Several additional useful accessories are being developed and introduced.
2014 - Sees the development of a new convertible trailer, for carrying cargo as well as passengers, along with a two-wheeled standing scooter utilizing the rim motor. Both will be available in Fall of 2014.
2015 - Brings a raised battery holder for people who can no longer bend down easily.
2016 - Development of a seat suspension for the scooter, a relief on cobblestones!
2017 - The useful and practical cruise set with tray, folding basket and door stopper.
2018 - A very productive year! Three useful accessories have been developed:
- Standing trailer for the non-handicapped accompanying person
- Portable curb ramp for small obstacles, which can be laid and resumed without standing up
- Wider front wheel with fork: for better riding comfort on uneven surfaces (also suitable for older models)
2020 to 2021 - Development of a new shopper model.
2021 - Development of a universal system for carrying luggage for travel and shopping