Autonomous E-Scooters for Sustainable Urban Mobility: Achievements and Insights from an Experimental Prototype
摘要
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become a key element in modern urban mobility, providing a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional transportation. However, the increasing demand for e-scooters also brings challenges, such as the cluttering of public spaces, frequent maintenance, and the need for regular charging. To address these issues and enhance sustainability, we propose a modified e-scooter prototype capable of self-balancing and autonomous navigation, designed to optimize urban mobility systems sustainably. In particular, an autonomous e-scooter fleet can dynamically reposition itself to meet areas of high demand, reducing the need for manual redistribution and minimizing operational effort. Further, individual e-scooters can autonomously navigate to charging stations when their battery levels are low, ensuring a continuous, energy-efficient operation. Equipped with advanced sensors, these e-scooters detect obstacles and avoid collisions, ensuring safe and reliable use in urban environments. Thus, our prototype offers a significant step towards more sustainable urban transportation.