At the beginning of this year, we first reported on the RoboScooter, which at that time was still a concept. The two-wheeler was designed through a collaboration of three companies including SYM, the second largest scooter manufacturer in Taiwan and a highly reputable company. According to recent reports, SYM has big plans for its electrically-driven scooter and hopes to see the machine on public roads in Taiwan sometime in the second half of next year. Powered by a lithium ion battery and hub motors, there would be no pollution coming from the scooter and the machine would cost mere cents to operate per mile. Plus, the aluminum-intensive structure would ensure light weight and easy handling, making the RoboScooter seem perfect for smaller urban settings. The manufacturer also sees the possibility for the easy replacement of batteries, greatly extending the range. While there's no telling if this machine will ever make it to the U.S., it is expected to cost NT$60,000 - about $1,968.

[Source: CENS via The Scooter Scoop]

Popular Mechanics has done a bit of a follow up on a little scooter from the labs of MIT we originally told you about back in the beginning of January. In a good news/bad news story with enough new detail to make it worth the read, we learn, among other things, that the the scooter is "going to make it" but that, contrary to its name, "it's not very robotic". So, although you could one day find yourself whizzing through downtown traffic on this little machine you just rented from your neighborhood scooter vending rack, you are still going to have to steer it with traditional handlebars. It won't fold itself back up and put itself away once you reach your destination and it won't talk to and protect you from the evil ones a la Johnny Five either.

But, on the upside, it will feature a handy, removable li-ion battery (no mention of the specific chemistry) and should be available in Asian markets in about a year. The delivery date of the first working prototype from MIT Smart Cities group to Taiwanese scooter maker, SYM, is April 1st.

[Source: Popular Mechanics with a h/t to Matt S.]