A First Ride With Lightfoot, a Solar-Powered Scooter
Otherlab’s Lightfoot looks like a box on wheels, but this head-turning urban scooter is designed to go farther thanks to the power of the sun.
The Lightfoot is a solar-powered scooter designed by Otherlab, a research and design company founded by inventor Saul Griffith. It features a rectangular pod on wheels, two large solar panels on the side, and a bench seat for a rider and passenger. The scooter is designed to be ridden in bike lanes without pedals, making it an electric scooter rather than an e-bike.
With a top speed of 20 miles per hour, the Lightfoot has garnered attention wherever it has been seen, often eliciting comments from passersby. Otherlab's founder, Saul Griffith, created the Lightfoot after recognizing that 52 percent of all US passenger trips are less than three miles, suggesting that a simpler vehicle for short trips could be a more sustainable option.
The $4,495 Lightfoot uses common off-the-shelf components, making repairs relatively easy for local bike shops. While it performs well in sunny conditions, its performance can be limited by cloudy weather, as it cannot remove the battery for charging. Griffith aims to expand the Lightfoot's availability to other southern states, starting with California and eventually Florida, and then to countries like Vietnam, where gas-powered scooters will soon be restricted.
Despite some minor design issues, Griffith believes the Lightfoot offers a fun and engaging experience, with a simple design that makes it easy to repair and maintain.
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