If you would have told my 10-year-old self that one day we would see 3D-printed custom scooters, I would have thought you were an alien. But with startup electric scooter builder Scotsman, the future is now.

Scotsman leverages 3D printing to deliver a highly customizable electric scooter. Though it’s not yet in production, the project is primed; it’s currently almost 400% funded through Indiegogo. Once operational, Scotsman will build the world’s first 3D printed electric scooters, based on each specific user’s body shape and ride preferences. From there, users can choose from a variety of motors, colors, and accessories.

3D Printed Electric Scooter Concept

If you don’t know much about 3D printing, here is a helpful resource from 3DInsider. Without getting in the weeds, 3D printing is the process of creating a physical object from a digital file in, you guessed it, 3 dimensions.

The execution of the concept has matured mightily. Now, Scotsman takes the logical step of applying it to personal mobility. Each “unibody” scooter will be 3D printed in one continuous pass of aerospace-grade carbon fiber thermoplastic. Each user calls the shots throughout Scotsman’s design, build, and delivery process, promising a bespoke experience.

Modular components are numerous as well: users can choose from an array of lights, mirrors, colors, accents, and of course, batteries and motors.

Power: What Makes the Scotsman Electric Scooter Go

Electric motors will be available in 500W, 1000W, or a formidable 2000W iteration. Most 2000W electric scooters currently available can reach top speeds of up to 40 MPH. I’m betting Scotsman’s builds can do that and then some; its unibody carbon fiber construction strongly suggests very low weight. It does plan to size scooters generously (by comparison to competitors), but the material’s ridiculously high strength-to-weight ratio gives it some leeway.

Scotsman also builds in a dual battery bay to make sure users never get left high and dry. The extra juice figures to be additionally important due to the electric scooter’s high connectivity. It has a color display that Scotsman calls the “world’s first” with a dashcam, 4G cellular connection, and GPS navigator.

Indiegogo Status and Launch

If you’re trying to experience the world’s first bespoke 3D printed electric scooter, we’ve got good news: 50% off early bird specials are still available. Get to the Indiegogo page to learn more and select from any of the available motor sizes. The 500W variant starts at $1500, down from the MSRP of $3000.

As of this writing, 2 weeks were left in the campaign. First units were expected to ship in December 2021.

Is there a parent in the world that doesn’t want their kid to understand, early and often, physics and its implications on their pursuit of bike riding, scooter scooting, and general athleticism? We get on a bike with two wheels for the first time, and things can go downhill pretty quickly. But what if, from your child’s earliest days, you’re pushing them around in a stroller designed to set them up for vestibular success (balance and coordination), ensuring that they can quickly and easily navigate the world on a bicycle and beyond?

The Doona Liki Trike S5 is here to help your toddler understand the three-dimensional world around them. It quickly and easily converts from a stroller to a push trike to a standard trike in seconds, allowing your child to grow into their environment between 10-36 months of age.

Doona offers three versions of the Liki Trike: the S3 Premium, S5 Deluxe, and S5 Midnight. The S5 Deluxe (our favorite) comes in two colors: Nitro-Black and Racing-Green, and ships fully assembled. All you have to do is take it out of the package, unfold it, and plop your young child into the contoured seat. Bring on the fun.

Safety is, of course, the highest priority with all Doona products. Each Liki Trike ships with shoulder pads, a padded armrest, a five-point harness, and pedal straps to keep the child’s feet attached to the pedals. Along with the safety components, you’ve got a built-in cup holder, and each Liki Trike ships with a travel and storage bag. What else could you want?

Last but not least is The Tot Test seal of approval. Each Liki Trike construction comprises non-toxic dyes and inks, with no added formaldehyde in the plastic, and no harmful phthalates. It has low VOC (volatile organic compounds), is lead-free, BPA-free, BPS-free, and contains no PVC. You can be at ease knowing that your child is safe as can be in this fun, functional and futuristic kid-mobile.

The Doona Liki Trike S5 retails for $300.00.

Purchase

Nikola Powersports: A Clean Way into the Wild

Nikola Motor Company is an American design and manufacturing company focused on transforming transportation with fully electrical and hydrogen-electric motors, including powersports products. Their hydrogen-electric drivetrains offer low-to-zero emissions, high efficiency, reliability, durability, and fuel flexibility. Nikola is paving the way towards transportation without harmful emissions through the design and manufacturing of these vehicles and the supporting charging stations.

Nikola Powersports products offer versatility, speed, redundancy, and other sought-after features. The Reckless four-seater side by side is compact and boasts 775 ft/lbs of instant torque, making it ideal for challenging terrain. With an incredible 590 horsepower and unheard-of zero to 60 time of four seconds, it will blow doors of current side by sides. The range is 150 miles.

It has modular capabilities, easily accepting additional technologies and components. With four motors for redundancy, it’s guaranteed you’ll still make it home even with some damage. Additionally, an IP67 rating, which allows submersion under one meter of water for 30 minutes, means water crossings won’t be an issue.

These features make the Nikola Reckless a perfect OHV model for a U.S. military investment. Last year, the National Center for Manufacturing Services (NCMS), a member-based organization dedicated to innovation, sustainment, and connecting organizations, awarded Nikola Powersports and Pratt and Miller Engineering 4.35 million dollars to incorporate hydrogen fuel cell technology into Nikola’s OHV Reckless model.  The intention is to assess and authenticate the performance of the technology.

Via an agreement with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA), the Reckless will be a stage for improved stealth, technology, and safety for the American troops. CTMA loyalty lies with the Troops, but that doesn’t mean eco-friendly, motorsports enthusiasts won’t reap collateral benefits.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) powered motors rely on a continuous chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with the only electricity, heat, and water as by-products. HFC doesn’t rely on combustion like a traditional gas system, leading to a more efficient energy source. The heat by-product relays back into heating and cooling systems. The fuel cell is twice as efficient as it’s gasoline counterpart.

The fuel cell doesn’t need replacing or recharging, only refueling with pressurized hydrogen. Recharging takes less than ten minutes, whereas electric vehicles could take hours. HFC help eliminates toxic battery waste and mitigates the environmental impacts of oil spills and air pollution. They have proven reliable in harsh environments like hurricanes, deserts, and temperatures below freezing.

Another benefit that caught the DoD’s attention was the lack of moving parts in hydrogen fuel cells. This benefit makes the Reckless incredibly quiet and stealthy. The lack of heat generated from friction, coupled with the refrigerant cooling system, results in a low thermal signature.

The Reckless may have been the prototype for future military systems, but as mentioned above, any off-road fanatic will enjoy this OHV. It allows you and three friends to enjoy long adventures into remote areas with less environmental impacts compared to current gas-powered vehicles.

Nikola Powersports didn’t stop with the Reckless. Their Nikola NZT features similar features along with upgraded Fox suspension with 18 inches of travel, keyless start, and front and rear cameras.

If you are more prone to water adventures and need something more capable than the Reckless’ IP67, check out the Nikola WAV personal watercraft. The WAV has an IP68 rating, a waterproof infotainment display, sportbike ergonomics, and the instant torque of an electric powerplant. It has storage under the seat and head and tail lights, making it a versatile way to travel over water.

Nikola Powersports aims to transform the way we travel and adventure over land and water, using both electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Keep an eye on this company as we all strive to enjoy the outdoors with fewer impacts.