What safety features do electric scooters have for the elderly?

What safety features do electric scooters have for the elderly?

1. Vehicle stability features

1.1 Low center of gravity design
The low center of gravity design is one of the key features of electric scooters to ensure the safety of the elderly. Vehicles with a low center of gravity are more stable during driving and can effectively reduce the risk of rollover. Generally speaking, the probability of rollover can be reduced by about 15% for every 1 cm reduction in the center of gravity height. For example, some electric scooters designed specifically for the elderly have a center of gravity height of only about 30 cm from the ground, which is nearly 30% more stable than ordinary scooters with a center of gravity height of about 40 cm. This design allows the vehicle to better maintain balance when turning or encountering uneven roads, reducing the possibility of elderly people falling and getting injured due to vehicle tilt.

2. Braking system features

2.1 Electromagnetic brake configuration
Electromagnetic brakes are an important brake system configuration for electric scooters to ensure the safety of the elderly. Compared with traditional mechanical brakes, electromagnetic brakes have a faster response speed. In emergency braking, electromagnetic brakes can be activated within 0.1 seconds, while the response time of traditional mechanical brakes is usually around 0.3 seconds. This means that at the same speed, electromagnetic brakes can stop the electric scooter in a shorter distance, effectively reducing the risk of collision. For example, when the vehicle speed is 10 km/h, the braking distance of the electromagnetic brake is about 30% shorter than that of the traditional mechanical brake. In addition, the braking force of the electromagnetic brake is adjustable, which is suitable for the different operating habits and physical conditions of the elderly. Some electric scooters are also equipped with an automatic parking function. When the vehicle stops, the electromagnetic brake will automatically maintain the braking state to prevent the vehicle from sliding, further ensuring the safety of the elderly.

3. Easy-to-operate features
3.1 Single-lever or button operation
For the elderly, easy-to-operate electric scooters are essential. The single-lever or button operation design greatly reduces the difficulty of use, allowing the elderly to easily control it.
Single-lever operation advantages: Single-lever operation usually only requires one joystick to control the vehicle’s forward, backward and steering. This design is intuitive and easy to understand, and the elderly can quickly get started without a complicated operation learning process. For example, the single-lever operation force of some electric scooters is moderate, and even elderly people with weak hand strength can easily operate it. According to user feedback, the learning time of the elderly using electric scooters with single-lever operation is shortened by about 50% on average, and it only takes 2-3 days from the first contact to proficient operation.
Features of button operation: Button operation realizes function control through simple buttons. For example, different buttons correspond to forward, backward, acceleration, deceleration and other functions, and the elderly only need to press the corresponding button to complete the operation. This operation method is similar to common household appliances and conforms to the operating habits of the elderly. In actual use, the failure rate of electric scooters with button operation is low because its operation logic is simple and reduces problems caused by misoperation. According to statistics, the failure rate of electric scooters with button operation due to improper operation is about 40% lower than that of scooters with complex operating systems.
Safety assistance function: Whether it is single-lever or button operation, many electric scooters are also equipped with safety assistance functions. For example, some vehicles are equipped with a speed limit function, and even if the elderly mistakenly operate the acceleration button, the vehicle speed will not exceed the set safety threshold. In addition, there is an emergency stop button, which is usually set in an easy-to-reach position. When the elderly encounter an emergency, they can quickly press the button to stop the vehicle immediately, further ensuring the safety of use.

4. Body protection features
4.1 Fully enclosed or semi-enclosed carport
Fully enclosed or semi-enclosed carports are important body protection features of electric scooters to ensure the safety of the elderly. This design can effectively protect the elderly from wind and rain, avoid cold or wet in bad weather, and reduce the risk of physical discomfort caused by weather reasons. For example, when driving on rainy days, the fully enclosed carport can keep the car dry and reduce the risk of slipping due to wetness. At the same time, the carport can also block strong light and ultraviolet rays from the outside to a certain extent, protecting the eyes and skin of the elderly. In addition, the sides and rear of the carport are usually equipped with transparent or translucent windshields, which not only ensure a good field of vision, but also prevent the influence of side wind on the driving stability of the vehicle. According to statistics, electric scooters equipped with fully enclosed or semi-enclosed carports have increased the willingness of the elderly to travel in bad weather by about 30%, and reduced the accident rate caused by weather reasons by about 20%.

5. Auxiliary safety features
5.1 Reversing radar and camera
Reversing radar and camera are important auxiliary safety features of electric scooters, which can effectively improve the safety of the elderly when using scooters.
Reversing radar function: The reversing radar can automatically detect obstacles behind the vehicle when reversing. When the obstacle is too close, the radar will sound an alarm to remind the elderly to pay attention. Generally speaking, the detection range of the reversing radar is between 0.3 meters and 2 meters, and it can accurately detect obstacles such as walls, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. behind the vehicle. According to statistics, the probability of collision when reversing with electric scooters equipped with reversing radar is reduced by about 60% compared with those without reversing radar. This greatly reduces the collision accidents that may be caused by poor vision when reversing in narrow spaces for the elderly.
Function of the camera: The camera provides the elderly with a more intuitive rear view. Through the camera installed at the rear of the vehicle, the elderly can clearly see the rear situation on the display screen in front of the vehicle. The viewing angle of the camera is usually between 120 degrees and 180 degrees, which can cover a wider area behind the vehicle. In low light or obstructed vision, the night vision function or wide-angle lens equipped with the camera can further enhance the visual effect. For example, in some residential areas with narrow roads and many parked vehicles, the camera can help the elderly better observe the dynamics of vehicles and pedestrians behind them to avoid accidents.

6. Comfort and safety features
6.1 Soft seats and backrests
Soft seats and backrests are important features of electric scooters to ensure the safety and comfort of the elderly. For the elderly, long-term sitting on hard seats can easily lead to physical fatigue and even cause bone and muscle problems. Soft seats and backrests can provide good support and cushioning, making the elderly more comfortable during the ride and reducing physical fatigue. For example, some electric scooters use high-density sponge to fill seats and backrests, which have excellent rebound performance, can fit the body curves of the elderly, and provide uniform support. The seats and backrests designed according to ergonomic principles can effectively disperse body pressure and reduce the concentration of pressure on the hips and waist from long-term sitting. According to statistics, the comfort rating of electric scooters with soft seats and backrests is about 20% higher for the elderly than those with ordinary seats. In addition, good comfort can indirectly improve the travel safety of the elderly. When the seats and backrests can provide sufficient support and comfort to the elderly, they can maintain a more stable posture during driving, reducing the possibility of distraction or operating errors due to physical discomfort.

7. Lighting and warning features
7.1 Front and rear headlights and turn signals
A good lighting and warning system is essential for the safety of the elderly driving electric scooters. Front and rear headlights and turn signals are key components to achieve this function.
Function of front and rear headlights: The headlights provide the elderly with a clear view of the front at night or in dimly lit environments, helping them to promptly detect road obstacles, pedestrians and other vehicles, effectively reducing the risk of collision. According to tests, electric scooters equipped with high-brightness LED headlights can have a visual distance of about 30% farther than ordinary halogen headlights when driving at night. The rear headlights allow the rear vehicles to see the existence of the electric scooter in time, avoiding rear-end collisions due to poor visibility. According to statistics, the accident rate of electric scooters equipped with front and rear headlights at night or in low visibility environments is about 45% lower than that of those without headlights.
The importance of turn signals: Turn signals are important signal devices for electric scooters to communicate with other traffic participants. When the elderly need to turn or change lanes, turning on the turn signal can inform surrounding vehicles and pedestrians of their driving intentions in advance, thereby avoiding traffic accidents caused by sudden lane changes or turns. For example, at some busy intersections, electric scooters turn on the turn signal in advance, which can allow other vehicles to slow down or avoid in advance, reducing traffic conflicts. According to statistics, the accident rate of electric scooters that use turn signals correctly when turning or changing lanes is about 60% lower than that of those that do not use turn signals.