Meet Honda's latest electric vehicle: A rideable suitcase
- Reference: 1694759648
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/09/15/meet_hondas_newest_electric_vehicle/
- Source link:
When we noted earlier this year that electric two-wheelers were [1]pulling ahead of electric cars in some parts of the world, we didn't anticipate something like the Honda [2]Motocompacto to show up – yet here we are, looking at a full-on rideable rectangle.
For what it's worth, motorized smart luggage is definitely a thing already, and available from Airwheel and similar outfits. We've seen people ride them around at tourist hot spots and airports. We're just raising a collective eyebrow at an automaker like Honda getting involved in this segment.
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The Honda Motocompacto. Yes, really ... Click to enlarge
It looks weird, but the Motocompacto is able to get a top speed of 15 miles per hour (24km/h), has a range of 12 miles (19.3km) and can be fully charged in 3.5 hours using (say) a regular North American 110V outlet. The handlebars and rear wheel of the Motocompacto are able to fold into the body of the "vehicle," and the seat stores inside as well. When in riding configuration, internal space doubles as storage, so it really is a rideable suitcase – albeit with limited capacity.
There isn't much in the way of a display on the scooter outside of a battery indicator, speedometer and indicators for the headlight and Bluetooth connectivity. The rest of your scooter stats will be found, predictably, in an accompanying mobile app. Here's your electric future:
[4]
[5]Youtube Video
[6]
[7]
"Sold in conjunction with our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto supports our goal of carbon neutrality by helping customers with end-to-end zero-emissions transport," said American Honda Motor Co. VP of R&D, Jane Nakagawa. It's not immediately clear whether the Motocompacto will be available only as an accessory to EV purchases, or as a standalone product; Honda didn't immediately respond to our questions.
[8]Electric two-wheelers are set to scoot past EVs in road race
[9]Parisians say au revoir to shared e-scooters
[10]Crack team of boffins hash out how e-scooters should sound – but they need your help*
[11]E-scooter fanboy so hyped for Teesside to host UK's first trial
Honda made clear that it's a tribute to the original gas-powered [12]Motocompo – a collapsible mini motorbike sold from 1981 to 1983 by Honda, but only in Japan and suggested for stowage in the cargo compartment of the three-door Honda City.
The Motocompo was a bit larger than the Motocompacto, and it weighed in at a massive 93 pounds (42kg), or 99 pounds (45kg) with a full tank of gas. The Motocompacto is a mere 41.3 pounds (18.75kg).
The Motocompo could also outpace its electric copycat. It was able to reach a [13]blistering 25mph (40.2km/h). Born to be wild.
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The Motocompacto will ship in November with a price point comparable to other [15]e-scooters : $995 (£802), plus an added dignity tax. Unlike the Motocompo, it will be available on its own and not just as an add-on – buyers can pick one up online or through Honda and Acura dealerships.
Having been designed for the US market, it's unclear where the Motocompacto will be available outside of the States - we asked Honda about that, too. Hopefully you'll all be spared the pain of having your shins smashed in public spaces by passing waves of motorized carry-ons. ®
Get our [16]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/18/electric_scooters_vehicles_asia/
[2] https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/new-honda-motocompacto-e-scooter-redefines-personal-urban-mobility-as-sleek-simple-and-uniquely-foldable
[3] https://regmedia.co.uk/2023/09/14/motocompacto.jpg
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/bootnotes&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZQQrQ7ePCC--odqg2uvTgAAAA0I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzkSthZHRiI
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/bootnotes&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZQQrQ7ePCC--odqg2uvTgAAAA0I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/bootnotes&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZQQrQ7ePCC--odqg2uvTgAAAA0I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/18/electric_scooters_vehicles_asia/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/03/parisians_vote_ban_e_scooters/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/28/escooter_sound/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/03/teesside_scooter_trial/
[12] https://www.topgear.com/car-news/best-2020/cult-honda-motocompo
[13] https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32933207/1982-honda-motocompo/
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/bootnotes&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZQQrQ7ePCC--odqg2uvTgAAAA0I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2019/08/30/accidents_electric_scooters/
[16] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Dignity isn't the only thing at risk
It's fine. Honda will just plant more plastic trees. Give them a break!
Re: Dignity isn't the only thing at risk
It's carbon neutral. Honda guarantee that exactly the same amount of carbon remains in the vehicle at end of life as when it was made = carbon neutral!
Re: Dignity isn't the only thing at risk
Plastic doesn't mean necessarily bad. There are recyclable ones, and it's the criteria that matters.
Looks like fun for use in urban spaces in place of a bicycle. Being able to fold up into a tidy suitcase is nice.
I'm just a little wary that the promo video was heavily stylised and didn't show anybody actually riding one on actual roads - so would the tiny wheels be up to it? That being said, people belt around on those scooter things and those wheels are even smaller...
So it's an e-scooter with a square plastic box around. Speed and autonomy are on the lower hand. And it's quite expensive, 3 times the price of a chinese product.
I would have expected from Honda to do better than that, it's disappointing. Like a big autonomy. Or enough power to carry the driver plus someone else.
So, Honda is now
on the case.
Re: So, Honda is now
Suits you, sir.
I can see it now: fit Monkey bars and drop the seat down and back and we have a reboot of the classic Easy Rider .
We can call it Eeasy Rider . Just be in slo-mo. :)
It would have been much better if instead of wheels they'd given it hundreds of tiny legs.
How dare Honda have fun with an idea?!
Not quite sure what Honda has done to get so much ire. They do short runs of interesting ideas, and this is no different. God forbid someone not conform to the norms!
That nice flat side is begging for custom art as well..
"plus an added dignity tax"
That should be a real thing.
15 MPH zooming through a crowded station or airport? Ouch!
But I might buy one if they switch out the wheels for hundreds of little legs.
One thing you're not going to do with that thing is fly. It won't be allowed as hold baggage due to the lithium battery, and I doubt that even the most determined bag-slammer would be able to get it into the overhead lockers.
Centaur..
See Find it, Fix it Drive it - Episode 8
Henry and Sam fix a 1960's American Centaur motorbike in a suitcase, fly it to the Isle of Wight (private plane) . Drive it 2 up..
The range may have been a bit more than 12 miles.... I'll have to watch it again to find out..
Dignity isn't the only thing at risk
From that picture, it seems to me that this suitcaseomobile is made out of plastic. Given [1]this report , that calls into question Honda's declaration of going toward carbon neutrality.
Of course, I understand that an aluminum casing would very much make that abomination heavier but, if it is made of plastics and batteries, it is basically a toxic mess of a product.
[1] https://www.ciel.org/project-update/plastic-climate-the-hidden-costs-of-a-plastic-planet/