TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Just over a year ago, Dahon announced its partnership with Ford Motor Co. to develop a line of bikes inspired by the automaker’s classic cars. And while the folding-bike maker showed a new bike inspired by the classic Ford Motel T at Taipei Cycle on Thursday, it was the new MoDe:Me folding e-bike that grabbed attention at Dahon’s press conference here.
The Space Age-styled concept bike is designed like a car — complete with headlights, taillight and turn signals — but uses Dahon’s folding technology, said Henry Hon, corporate vice president and company director at Dahon. Other auto-inspired tech includes a rear-facing ultrasonic sensor that vibrates the handlebars to warn riders when a vehicle approaches. The sensor also activates lights on the handlebars to make the rider more visible to approaching motorists.
The MoDe:Me has a 9-amp-hour battery providing pedal assist up to 25 kilometers per hour (15.5 mph). Dahon also plans to release a motor-less version of the bike.
The bike is part of the Ford Smart Mobility program, which studies how folding electric and pedal bikes can work with cars and public transit to ease commuting. The MoDe:Me is designed for urban commuters and to fit compactly in a portion of a car trunk to bridge the last stretch of a commute.
Dahon hopes to begin shipping the MoDe:Me sometime in 2016, Hon said.
Earlier Thursday, Dahon also celebrated the grand opening of its new flagship retail store in Taipei’s Neihu District.
