Man designs mobility scooter for sister who has MS

An engineer has designed a three-wheeled mobility scooter after witnessing his sister struggling with conventional models.

Tom Morgan, from Bristol, was inspired to create a new design by his sister Morwenna Davenport, who has multiple sclerosis (MS).

"The start of the story was after experiencing a moment when I was with my sister and she tipped over and fell into the road, it's very common and scooters are actually very dangerous," said Mr Morgan.

He added that the 3Scooter, which will be launched in 2025, helps address weight, practicality and instability issues, as well as tackling the social stigma of using a mobility scooter.

"So many people will have had an experience of tipping over and this is the root cause issue that we've addressed," Mr Morgan said.

The three-wheeled scooter is designed to be "safer, lighter and more inclusive"

The first prototype of the 3Scooter was developed six years ago and is now being engineered at the Bristol Robotics Lab.

It allows people to sit at about 90% of standing height so that they can have a conversation at eye-level.

"There is also a psychological hurdle that needs to be overcome, a lot of negative stigma that is connected to mobility scooters," said Mr Morgan.

"Fifty per cent of people with multiple sclerosis avoid using one, despite the benefits, because they are too embarrassed.

"We've got an amazing community of testers in Bristol and what's clear is that these devices are fundamental to people's wellbeing."

Supersmith co-founders, Tom Morgan (L), Fred Russell-Pavier and Emily Morgan

Mr Morgan co-founded the company, Supersmith, with his wife Emily and Fred Russell-Pavier, to develop the technology required for the scooter.

"We've used the same robotics technology you might find in a drone, for example, and applied it to a three-wheel electric scooter," he added.

"This allows it to glide over uneven ground, keep you safe over dropped kerbs and even leans the rider in, to avoid you tipping if you turn too sharply."