HP Innovation Journal Issue 14: Spring 2020 | Page 57
Contrary to science-fiction visions of the 21st
century, the skies over today’s cities aren’t abuzz
with flying cars. This may not be a bad thing, considering
that nearly 70% of the world’s population is expected to
live in cities by 2050—it would be an air traffic control
nightmare, to say the least.
Currently, there are 33 megacities in the world—cities
with populations of 10 million or more. By 2030, six
more cities are expected to achieve that status. As urban
centers become more dense, the threat of pollution
increases, particularly in places where poor air quality is
already affecting public health.
Even in cities with well-developed public transportation
networks, traffic congestion has increased or shown
no signs of improving. McKinsey & Company reports
that between 2010 and 2016, congestion rose by 30% in
New York, 14% in London, and 9% in Paris. Nearly 75%
of the cities included in the Traffic Index report by GPS
developer TomTom had increased or stable congestion
levels between 2017 and 2018. Out of all the car trips
taken in the most congested urban areas in the US, nearly
half are less than three miles.
This has led to a new era of short-distance transportation,
or “micromobility”—a proliferation of bicycle-sharing
schemes, electric bikes, and scooters, as well as the rise
(and sometimes fall) of new inventions such as electric
skateboards, hoverboards, Segways, and even electric
unicycles. “The reason electric micromobility has become
more popular is convenience—particularly considering the
traffic, parking charges, congestion charges, and the lack
of parking spaces,” says Christopher Minasians, editor-in-
chief of WhichEV, a website focused on news and reviews
related to electric vehicles.
New innovations in micromobility could also make the
vehicles far more sustainable than cars, meeting consumer
demand for convenience and sustainability. “Consumers
are definitely looking for more sustainable solutions,” says
Camille Caron, Director of Education and Sustainability
for 3D Print at HP. She says consumers’ growing desire for
transparency and responsible sourcing has led to a focus
on sustainable materials and manufacturing, including the
use of 3D printing to reduce waste and increase efficiency
in the production of vehicles. Volkswagen, for example,
the world’s largest auto group, is integrating HP Metal Jet
parts into its designs.
The micromobility industry is following suit. For example,
Scouter Mobility, a startup in Finland, uses HP’s Jet Fusion
3D printing technology to create a new kind of vehicle
fueled by electricity and human pedal power, designed as
a cleaner alternative to cars for short distances. “We are
looking for zero emissions and very long life cycles,” says
Petri Pitkänen, Scouter Mobility’s CEO.
THE RISE OF ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY
In the US, the EU, and China, the micromobility market
is estimated to be worth a combined $300 billion to $500
billion by 2030. Already, $5.7 billion has been invested
in micromobility startups since 2015. Uber and Lyft,
companies that have made their fortunes through the use
of cars, are now also headed for this market.
“A lot of car manufacturers are now developing
e-motorbikes, or very small pod-shaped vehicles,” explains
Minasians. “Initially, they were seen as uncool in the
industry, but they’ve become a lot chicer and more stylish,
and you can get 60-odd miles on a single charge.”
A surge of innovation has led to new forms of electric
vehicles that could make micromobility more appealing
to the car-loving public, including Seat’s electric four-
wheeled, two-seater Minimó, marketed as “the best of a
car and a motorcycle.” With a rounded, pod-like roof and
asymmetrical doors that slide up rather than open to the
side, the Minimó is nimble and narrow, with a driver’s seat
at the front and a passenger seat at the back.
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