Companion

A mobility scooter designed for shopping, socializing, and everyday life in aging communities.

00

problem

As cities age, most mobility scooters focus on transportation while overlooking how older adults actually live within their communities. Everyday activities such as shopping, socializing, and resting require multiple tools and spaces, creating fragmented experiences that are often uncomfortable, stigmatizing, and physically demanding. Mobility is treated as a medical need rather than a natural part of daily life, limiting independence and social participation.

solution

Companion reframes the mobility scooter as everyday social infrastructure. Designed for short-distance community use, it integrates mobility, seating, and storage into a single, calm, and intuitive system. A low step-through frame, stable four-wheel layout, lounge-like seating, and accessible storage support shopping, resting, and social interaction without switching between devices. By prioritizing comfort, dignity, and ease of use, Companion allows mobility to blend seamlessly into daily routines rather than stand apart from them.

Companion begins with everyday moments that are often overlooked in mobility design—short trips to the market, stopping to chat with neighbors, or sitting down briefly in public spaces. In these small but frequent activities, older adults are not simply moving from point A to point B, but balancing independence, comfort, and social connection within their communities.

A low step-through structure allows users to board and alight without excessive bending, while a stable four-wheel layout and low center of gravity ensure balanced movement, especially when carrying groceries or personal belongings. These structural decisions reduce physical strain and increase confidence during daily use.

To support shopping and storage access, Companion features a seat mobility mechanism. A button positioned at the front of the seat allows the seat to slide forward when pressed, bringing stored items within easy reach. This enables users to retrieve belongings directly from a seated position without bending down, reducing physical effort during everyday errands.

Safety and interaction are addressed through an intuitive control system using electromagnetic induction technology. When the user removes their hands from the controls, the scooter automatically brakes and remains stationary, preventing unintended movement or downhill sliding on slopes. Together with clear visual indicators, integrated lighting, and non-slip contact surfaces, Companion supports everyday mobility as a calm, continuous, and reassuring experience.

year

2022

timeframe

5 Months

tools

Rhino/Cinema 4D

category

Personal Project

01

The handlebar interface consolidates key ride controls into a single, legible cluster: a digital display for speed and trip distance with battery level, dedicated indicators for turn signals, lock status and lighting, plus quick-access buttons for horn, high beam, and fingerprint unlock. Built on an electromagnetic induction safety system, the scooter automatically brakes and holds position when the user releases the controls, including on slopes.
The handlebar interface consolidates key ride controls into a single, legible cluster: a digital display for speed and trip distance with battery level, dedicated indicators for turn signals, lock status and lighting, plus quick-access buttons for horn, high beam, and fingerprint unlock. Built on an electromagnetic induction safety system, the scooter automatically brakes and holds position when the user releases the controls, including on slopes.

02

Seat Mobility Mechanism — The seat module slides forward along integrated rails, shifting the sitting position for easier reach and reduced bending.
Seat Mobility Mechanism — The seat module slides forward along integrated rails, shifting the sitting position for easier reach and reduced bending.

03

Seat mobility mechanism: with a single front-mounted button, the entire seat module slides forward along integrated rails, bringing the seating position forward while keeping the structure stable. This motion is designed to reduce user effort during entry/exit and improve reach to the front area without requiring excessive bending.
Seat mobility mechanism: with a single front-mounted button, the entire seat module slides forward along integrated rails, bringing the seating position forward while keeping the structure stable. This motion is designed to reduce user effort during entry/exit and improve reach to the front area without requiring excessive bending.

04

Under-seat storage keeps groceries and personal items within easy reach, while the central placement helps maintain stability and balance during everyday errands.
Under-seat storage keeps groceries and personal items within easy reach, while the central placement helps maintain stability and balance during everyday errands.

05

The rear wheel features a wide, textured tire and enclosed hub design, providing stable traction and smooth rolling while visually reinforcing a calm, grounded stance during everyday use.
The rear wheel features a wide, textured tire and enclosed hub design, providing stable traction and smooth rolling while visually reinforcing a calm, grounded stance during everyday use.

06

.say hello

I’m currently open to full-time opportunities. Feel free to reach out via email.

.say hello

I’m currently open to full-time opportunities. Feel free to reach out via email.

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