A pair of traditional wheel skates connected to a battery backpack and engine cable: the French project is presented Atmospherean alternative proposal for urban mobility that mixes the 90s nostalgia, technology and a certain attention to the environmental impact. At the helm of the project there is Mohamed Solimanyoung French engineer who imagined a new way of moving on short distances, trying to combine efficiency, pleasure of the movement and a certain dose of freedom.
The idea is simple: to make the skates rolled an electrical vehicle, capable of traveling up to 20 kilometers with a single charge and reach a maximum speed of 25 km/h. The system is powered by a battery kept in a backpack to wear on the back, connected directly to the skates via a cable. The result is a hybrid device, which can be used even without a motor, like a normal pair of rollerblade.
A concrete alternative or just a gadget for fans?
Atmosgear was tested for the first time a Parisemblematic city when it comes to urban congestion and the need for sustainable solutions. And from here the Crowdfunding campaign on Ulule started here that allowed the plan to find a first public and raise funds to start production on a wider scale.
But beyond the initial success, it remains to be understood whether this invention can really integrate into the newspaper of the cities. The autonomy of 20 km can be enough for a home-work journey, but it Battery backpack weighs and may not be suitable for all physicality. In addition, the presence of the cable could represent a weak point from the point of view of safety or convenience of use, especially on rough paths or in case of rain.
It should be emphasized, however, that the device is not binding: the skates can be used even without the electrical function, making them less impacting than other completely motorized means. No engine integrated in the wheels, nor adthemovable electronic componentswhich leaves a certain freedom of use and possibility of choice. An interesting flexibility, although the price and actual practicality remain to be evaluated.
A micromability looking for balance
The intent to reduce the use of the car for small movements is commendable and in line with the urgency of rethinking the urban mobility models. However, it remains to be seen if solutions like this can go beyond a niche of fans. Atmosgear was not born as a substitute for the car or bikebut as an intermediate proposal, designed for those who love to skate and want to do it less effort, without giving up physical experience.
In a context where electric scooters, shared bicycles and public transport struggle with a difficult balance, even the electric skates try to carve out a space. But the real challenge, rather than in technology, seems to be in the culture of mobility and in the real availability of cities to host such particular means.
