This Self-Driving Scooter Could Transform Personal Mobility

In a large San Francisco warehouse, an intriguing sight unfolds: a mobility scooter glides across the floor, seemingly on its own. There's no driver, no one at the controls – it's navigating the space completely autonomously.

This remarkable device is theStrutt Ev1, described as a "smart personal vehicle." It employs an advanced array of sensors and cameras to assist users in navigating various environments and skillfully avoiding obstacles. Strutt showcased this innovative technology at a media event in mid-November, ahead of its official debut at CES 2026 in January.

Under the Hood: Smart Design and Advanced Sensors

At first glance, the Ev1 resembles a conventional mobility device, featuring an all-black design, four wheels, and a comfortable cushioned seat. However, a closer inspection reveals its sophisticated capabilities. The Ev1 is equipped with two lidar units, ten time-of-flight sensors, six ultrasonic sensors, and two cameras. These components work in unison to detect objects both near and far, enabling the Ev1 to operate independently. It can reach speeds of up to 6 mph when moving forward and approximately 2 mph in reverse.

For manual control, the Ev1 includes a joystick. A compact screen provides a live 3D map of the surroundings, reminiscent of the displays found in autonomous vehicles like Waymo, which depict nearby vehicles and pedestrians. The screen also features a rear-view camera feed and a speedometer.

Tony Hong, Strutt's founder and CEO, clarified the company's vision for the device, stating, "We actually don't call it a wheelchair. The 'Ev1' actually stands for 'everyday vehicle.' So it gives people the freedom, the confidence, the tech that enables them to go anywhere."

A Hands-On Experience with Autonomous Features

During Strutt's media event, I had the opportunity to test two of the Ev1's primary features.

The first was theCo-Pilot Plusfeature, designed to help the Ev1 navigate confined spaces. I tested this in an area enclosed by a curved barrier. Even when I simply pushed the joystick straight forward, the Ev1 automatically adjusted its trajectory to avoid collisions. It also demonstrated its intelligent obstacle avoidance by autonomously stopping when someone stood in its path. The Ev1's display allowed me to visualize the path Co-Pilot Plus was calculating, giving me insight into its intended movements.

The second feature I experienced was equally impressive: voice-activated navigation. The Ev1 can map and learn a space, such as a home, allowing users to issue commands like, "I want to go to the couch," and have it autonomously navigate to that location. New places can be taught by manually driving to a spot and verbally labeling it – for instance, "This is the refrigerator, please mark it." The Ev1 will then remember this location for future use. In the demo hall, I successfully commanded it to take me from the stage to the TVs at the rear of the room using only my voice.

Beyond the Basics: All-Terrain and Smart Integration

In addition to its advanced autonomous navigation, the Strutt Ev1 boasts four-wheel drive, ensuring smoother movement across various terrains, both indoors and outdoors. This includes capabilities like traversing gaps on train platforms and climbing over smaller sidewalk curbs. Demonstrating its robustness, Strutt highlights that the Ev1 can ascend an 11-degree slope, a fitting capability given its San Francisco origins.

The scooter’s battery can be charged to 80% in approximately two and a half hours, with a full charge achieved in about 3 to 4 hours, according to Strutt.

Furthermore, the Ev1 offers integration with anApple Vision Proheadset, enabling navigation through eye movements. Once paired via the Strutt app, the Ev1 streams route information and safety alerts directly to the Vision Pro, allowing users to control the scooter with their gaze.

What's Next?

Strutt has announced that more comprehensive details regarding the Ev1's availability and pricing will be released in January.