URBAN626

URBAN626
Formerly called
 Urban Mobility, Ecological Mobility Solutions
Private
Industry Electric vehicles
Founded 2013
Headquarters Pasadena, California, United States
Areas served
 United States
Key people
 Peter Lee, Grant Delgatty, Sven Etzelsberger
Products URB-E
Website www.URB-E.com

URBAN626 is an American vehicle design company based in Pasadena, California. Founded in 2013, the company is best known for inventing and producing the URB-E, a portable electric vehicle that combines features of a scooter and bicycle. With speeds up to 15 mph,[1] URBAN626 bills the URB-E as "the world’s most compact electric vehicle,"[2] while Popular Mechanics dubbed it "the first foldable e-vehicle — with the comforts of a bicycle — that goes up to 20 miles [distance] on one charge."[3] Invented and designed by industrial designer Grant Delgatty[4] and engineered by Sven Etzelsberger, a former lead designer at Porsche, URB-E is constructed in the United States. The URB-E prototype debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show of 2014, where it won the CES Verge Award[3] and was voted one of the show's "best of" features.[5] Made available for sale online in 2015, URB-E has been featured in publications such as Popular Mechanics,[6] CNET,[7] the Wall Street Journal,[5] and TechCrunch.[8] URB-E was a finalist in the 2016 Edison Awards.[9]

History

Founding and development

The company URBAN626 was first established in 2013[2] in Pasadena, California,[10] with the stated goal of "inventing and manufacturing products that are innovative, intuitive, and beautifully constructed," particularly in relation to urban lifestyles.[2] Initially, the company went by the name Urban Mobility.[11] Urban Mobility's first announced project was a foldable electronic scooter with a bike seat, dubbed the URB-E.[12] The concept for the URB-E "e-vehicle"[5] had been created by entrepreneur Grant Delgatty, who according to Popular Mechanics, had "noticed that millennials were tuning in to social and environmental issues."[6] Delgatty had previously worked as a commercial designer for companies such as Vans, and in 2008 had started the sustainable footwear company Urshuz.[4] Initially, the URB-E design consisted of "just two wheels (one large and one training wheel), a seat, and wood blocks for pedals."[6] The initial design was done by the small company Ideapiphany, with former lead engineer at Porsche, Sven Etzelsberger, helping with[12] engineering the vehicle and inventing the single move folding mechanism. Etzelsberger drew on his experience of engineering sports cars to remove any non-load bearing material from the frame, with the company arguing this made the URB-E the lightest vehicle in its class.[13] Peter Lee joined the company as CEO in 2014,[14] helping build a supply chain and business model that was sourced from Pasadena design, with California manufacturing.[15] Prior to URBAN626, Lee was a product developer for HEX, among other roles.[14]

Prototype debut (2014)

External video
VIDEO: "URB-E Aims for the Last Mile Commuter" - TechCrunch (February 10, 2014)

Final product testing was started in January 2014, with the process projected to continue through March.[12] As of January 2014, URBAN626 had yet to reveal the weight and dimensions of their URB-E prototype, though they had revealed videos and photos. However, they did advertise a range of 20 miles, speeds up to 15 mph, a seat, a triangular frame holding a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a 10 inch front wheel, and two 6 inch rear wheels.[11] Tech News World described it as "designed to take urban commuters that 'last mile' from where their public transportation ends to wherever it is that their work or home is located."[12] The prototype form of URB-E debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)[3] in January 2014.[11] URB-E won the 2014 CES Verge Award,[3] and was also voted one of the shows "best of" features.[5]

Assembly and production (2014–2015)

In February 2014, the preliminary weight of URB-E was announced as 27 pounds. Two models were under development at the time: the URB-E Commuter, with two wheels in the back, and the URB-E GP, with one rear wheel for better agility. URB-E Commuter used a finger throttle assembly, while the GP model used a grip twist throttle similar to a motorcycle. Colors included grey, white, green, gold or black, with a number of accent colors.[12] By March 2014, the company was going by the name Ecological Mobility Solutions.[16] Tooling and production of the URB-E started at the specialty bike manufacturer Foes Racing in April 2014, while final component production was completed around June 2014.[12] Production and fabrication primarily took part in Pasadena and surrounding southern California cities.[17] Assembly, packing, and shipping took place in July and August of 2014, again in Pasadena.[12] By January 2015, the design had "gone through approximately 15 iterations since its conception in 2013."[6]

Name change and sales (2015–2016)

The company name Ecological Mobility Solutions[16] had been changed to URBAN626 by the summer of 2015,[5] with Peter Lee,[15] Grant Delgatty[5] and Sven Etzelsberger as co-founders.[4] Lee took the role of chief executive officer,[15] Delgatty was appointed chief creative officer[4] and Etzelsberger took the role of chief technology officer.[18][17] The company name URBAN626, LLC was trademarked by John W. Peck of Anaheim, California.[10] The URB-E received mainstream news coverage in the summer and fall of 2015, with features in the Wall Street Journal[5] and on Fox News.[19]

URBAN626 was selling several models online[7] by the end of the 2015, and the basic model, a final version of the GP line, was made available at $1,500.[20][18] An URB-E Black Label model, with "more aggressive throttle mapping than the standard-issue version and a lot of black powdercoat paint on a 6061 aircraft-aluminum frame," was made available for $1,699.[5] In November 2015, URBAN626 partnered with Wells Fargo on customer financing plans, allowing the URB-E to be paid in $1.75 a day or $50 a month installments.[20] On January 6, 2016, URB-E was again featured at the Consumer Electronics Show[8] in Las Vegas.[18] Prior to the trade show, CNET was given a special preview of the URB-E in the Digital Experience show, giving it a largely positive review.[18][7]

URB-E

URB-E
Overview
Manufacturer URBAN626
Model years 2015
Assembly Pasadena, California
Designer Grant Delgatty
Body and chassis
Class Electric vehicle
Body style Aluminum frame
Powertrain
Engine 250W brushless electric motor
Propulsion Front-wheel motor with planary gearing system[17]
Dimensions
Height 35 inches
Curb weight 35 lbs

Overview and design

URBAN626 bills the URB-E electric scooter as "the world’s most compact electric vehicle,"[2] while Popular Mechanics dubbed it "the first foldable e-vehicle—with the comforts of a bicycle—that goes up to 20 miles [distance] on one charge."[3] Designed in Pasadena and constructed in California,[2] URB-E is designed to be collapsible and portable, in order to "fit comfortably in a train, bus, car trunk, closet, office, hallway, classroom, etc..."[21]

"The front part of the URB-E is a set of narrow handle bars that fold and lock into place above the front wheel. The front wheel also includes pegs to rest your feet. The main body of the URB-E forms an upside-down V, the front of which houses a rectangular battery. The back of the V supports a shock-absorbing seat, and the rear tires are just behind your backside, giving you a nimble and very short wheelbase in the shape of a very narrow tricycle."
— Tech News World (2014)[12]

The two-wheel vehicle[21] is 35 inches tall with a bike seat that sits 28 inches above the ground.[20] Riders accelerate by twisting the right grip, similar to a motorcycle.[5] The vehicle is 35 pounds total,[22] with most of the weight in the battery and the motor.[21] The frame on all models is fabricated out of recycled[16] powder-coated[12] aircraft-grade anodized aluminum,[8] with large holes in the frame to excise unnecessary mass.[7] The handlebar and forks are carbon fiber.[8][7] Reliant on front wheel drive, the URB-E uses a brushless[20] 250W front-wheel motor driven by a planary gearing system.[17][5] URB-E designer Etzelsberger stated that the single speed planetary reduction gear "helps maximize torque delivery in hilly areas and for larger riders."[7] URB-E travels up to 15 mph[22] on a level surface.[21] The two-wheel vehicle has a disc brake on the rear wheel.[20] All models have LED lights[16] and replaceable tires and batteries,[21] as well as a BMX-style monoshock under the seat.[5]

Re-charging

URB-E travels up to 20 miles on a single charge,[22] though steep inclines, road surface, wind resistance, and weight of the driver can lower the vehicle's range. To maintain full battery strength, the company recommends a maximum rider weight of 250 pounds.[21] The 36v lithium-ion battery[22] fully charges in four hours with a standard electric outlet,[22][21] such as 110V or 220V wall outlets.[21] The battery can be removed from the vehicle to be recharged, or can remain in the frame.[21][17] The URB-E also has an external USB plug on the frame[22] to charge or power various devices,[8] with a universal smartphone holder as well.[12]

Legality

As of February 2016, the URB-E requires no license, no registration, and no insurance in the United States.[22] With a top speed under 20 mph,[21] the vehicle is classified as a bicycle[20] by United States federal law. Although the vehicle does not require a license, US law does prohibit children under 16 years of age from driving URB-E.[21] The company recommends that riders be at least 18 years old and wear a helmet.[21]

Models and variations

URBAN626 sells several models on their website.[23] During early stages of design in 2013 and 2014, the company had two URB-E lines under development: the GP and the Commuter.[16] The three-wheeled Commuter model could be switched to a single rear wheel, while the two-wheeled and more powerful GP model was also modular, and could be turned into a three-wheeled vehicle.[24] The Commuter model had a shelf on the back to carry a briefcase or bag.[24] When the URB-E was made available for sale in 2015,[8] the Commuter model had been discontinued in favor of the GP model.[23] A GP Original Edition model was initially sold in two primary colors, while a more expensive Black Label model was sold with added power and features.[17]

Model timeline
Model Details
URB-E GP Original Edition - Arctic White[23] Original model sold online, inserts come in seven colors.[17]
URB-E GP Original Edition - Gunmetal Gray[23] Original model sold online, inserts come in seven colors.[17]
URB-E Black Label[23] More torque than other models, sells for higher price.[17]
URB-E GP Electric Edition - Green[23] Temporary model available for higher price, has extra torque and glossy exterior.[23]

Reception

URB-E has been featured in publications such as Popular Mechanics,[6] Business Insider,[1] The Verge,[20] CNET,[7] SFist,[18] the Wall Street Journal,[5] and TechCrunch.[8] It has also been featured on TV shows such as The Today Show[5] and Fox News.[19] The URB-E has met with largely positive reviews from critics, with The Wall Street Journal describing it as "way fun,"[5] and Business Insider praising URB-E's speed and agility when moving through gridlock traffic.[3][1] Ben Popper of The Verge called the vehicle a "great alternative when a bike won’t do but you don’t want to upgrade to a Vespa or a full-on motorcycle, which are more expensive, have more overhead, and can’t be carried around."[20] CNET praised the speed with which the vehicle folded, with reviewer Antuan Goodwin claiming "I was able to compress the bike in less than a second, with a simple tug of the seat. Deployment is just as fast."[7] The vehicle's aesthetics met with more mixed reviews, with Univision describing URB-E's look as catered towards young urban commuters.[3] CNET called the URB-E "a bit silly looking," but spoke positively about how the design was received in public.[7]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Nominated work Category Result
2014 Consumer Electronics Show URB-E CES Verge Award[3] Won
2016 Edison Awards URB-E Edison Award[9] Finalist

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Snyder, Chris (October 22, 2015). "This tiny electric scooter will make your commute a lot more exciting". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "About". URB-E. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Reviews". URB-E. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "People". URB-E.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Neil, Dan (September 22, 2015). "The URB-E: An Electric Scooter That’s a Thrill to Ride". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "A Gearhead in L.A. is About to Change Everything.". Popular Mechanics. January 9, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Goodwin, Antuan (January 5, 2016). "It's a bit silly looking, but this foldable e-bike is the smallest I've ridden". CNET. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tepper, Fitz (January 6, 2016). "The URB-E Is A Foldable Electric Scooter For The Urban Commuter". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  9. 1 2 "URB-E Nominated for a 2016 Edison Award!". URB-E.com. February 5, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  10. 1 2 "URBAN626". Trademarkia. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  11. 1 2 3 Dodson, Brian (January 5, 2014). "Urb-E squeezes onto personal mobility train". Gizmag. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Maxcer, Chris (February 13, 2014). "URB-E, or How to Ride a Battery to Work". Tech News World. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  13. ↑ "TechBits: Weight". URB-E / Youtube. November 16, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  14. 1 2 "Peter Lee". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  15. 1 2 3 "Transportation Revolutionaries at Work: Pasadena’s Urb-e". Pasadena Now. November 25, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "URB-E: The $799 ‘last mile’ electric scooter that’s ever so close to production [video]". Ecomento. March 3, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Zart, Nicolas (November 18, 2015). "The Electric Urb-E is The Fun Last-Mile Commute Solution". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Barmann, Jay (January 7, 2016). "These Tiny Folding Electric Bikes To Become Next Must-Have For Dorks". SFist. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  19. 1 2 "Could new electric bike help with commuter hassle?". Fox News. October 15, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "This electric scooter is the ultimate hipster dad chariot". The Verge. December 3, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Frequently Asked Questions". URB-E. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Delligatti, Carmine (February 2016). "URB-E - Let's ride". Cupertino Times. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Vehicles". URB-E.com. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  24. 1 2 "URB-E: The world’s most compact electric vehicle?". Electric Bike Action Magazine. April 1, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-05.

Further reading

External links

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