DistantNews
Kairos: The electric motorcycle aiming for car-level safety
๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ Vietnam /Technology

Kairos: The electric motorcycle aiming for car-level safety

From Tuแป•i Trแบป · (10m ago) Vietnamese

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A new three-wheeled electric motorcycle named Kairos is being developed as a future urban mobility solution, aiming to replace both motorcycles and cars.
  • The vehicle features unique safety technologies, including a programmed restraint device and mobile lateral elements, designed to enhance stability and protect the rider during collisions.
  • While still in the prototype stage, Kairos aims for a commercial launch around 2029-2030, seeking industrial partners and investors to finalize development.

The Kairos electric motorcycle represents a bold vision for urban transportation, blending the agility of a motorcycle with the safety of a car. Developed from an initial concept by French designer Mathieu Lโ€™Hopitault, this three-wheeled vehicle is not just another electric scooter; it's an ambitious attempt to redefine personal mobility.

What sets Kairos apart are its innovative safety features. The Programmed Restraint Device (PRD) is designed to keep the rider secured during frontal impacts, automatically releasing in severe collisions to mitigate force. Complementing this is the Mobile Lateral Elements (MLE) system, which aids in cornering stability and can absorb impact energy in accidents, even doubling as small storage compartments. These patented technologies aim to provide a level of safety previously unseen in the motorcycle segment.

keep the rider "attached" to the frame when a frontal collision occurs.

โ€” DeveloperDescribing the function of the Programmed Restraint Device (PRD).

While the prototype is still undergoing development, the team has ambitious targets for the commercial version, including a 30kWh solid-state battery, nearly 94 horsepower, and a top speed of 150 km/h. The goal is to achieve a practical operating range comparable to internal combustion engine motorcycles, a significant challenge for electric two-wheelers. The projected commercialization date is set for 2029-2030, contingent on securing further investment and industrial partnerships.

This project highlights Vietnam's growing interest in advanced transportation solutions. As urban centers grapple with congestion and pollution, innovations like Kairos offer a glimpse into a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future. The emphasis on safety, particularly the integration of car-like protective measures into a motorcycle form factor, is a unique selling proposition that resonates with concerns about rider vulnerability on the road.

can land on the ground to absorb impact energy, while also lowering the center of gravity, increasing stability, and reducing the risk of rollover.

โ€” DeveloperExplaining the safety function of the Mobile Lateral Elements (MLE) in case of an accident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuแป•i Trแบป in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.