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This Swedish startup snags £2.5M for its origami-like sustainable e-motorcycles

Stilride
Image credits: Stilride

There is no denying that electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions but their manufacturing process has a significant impact on the environment. Producing components used in electric vehicles and shipping them globally generates massive carbon emissions. A Swedish startup STILRIDE eyes to tackle this problem with a manufacturing technique called industrial origami.

Eyes to launch its first product

Today, the tech and design startup has picked up £2.5 million seed funding round from angel and private investors including Gustaf Hagman, Saeid Esmaeilizadeh, Sam Bonnier and Andreas Adler.

STILRIDE intends to use this fund to produce sustainable electric motorcycles and scooters using industrial origami. The funds will be used to bring the startup’s first product – the futuristic Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1) to the mass market. Unlike traditional scooters that feature a tubular frame and plastic body, the SUS1 is built by folding sheets of stainless steel over curves, a process similar to origami.

Besides featuring a durable body and distinctive aesthetic, the SUS1 requires fewer raw materials and reduces labour costs as well. In comparison to traditional scooters, the SUS1 requires 70% fewer components, drives a 25% reduction in labour costs and a 20% reduction in material costs.

Jonas Nyvang, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of STILRIDE, said, “We’re incredibly proud to be working with such esteemed investors to push ahead with production of this first product and get it in the hands of customers. It’s an exciting time to be in the green mobility space and we’re ready to make our mark.”

Saeid Esmaeilizadeh, entrepreneur and STILRIDE investor, commented, “There is a very strong team behind this whole solution, which made the choice to invest easy. They have found a solution to build lighter electric vehicles which is a key challenge for the whole transportation industry. In addition, the first product’s place in the market is a total no-brainer.”

Gustaf Hagman, serial entrepreneur, business angel and investor, said, “Their Green Steel production technique STILFOLD is groundbreaking and there are endless application areas, this is just the beginning”.

Image credits: STILRIDE

STIFOLD, industrial origami tech!

STILRIDE’s pioneering industrial origami technology called STILFOLD, is the brainchild of Tue Beijer and Jonas Nyvang, the co-founders of the startup. The duo aims to reimagine the manufacturing and distribution of high-performance electric-mobility products using cutting-edge steelwork, advanced robotics, and ambitious design.

The groundbreaking manufacturing technique involves robots that can fold single sheets of recyclable steel into intricate, lightweight, and durable new structures. Eventually, the technique reduces the environmental impact of production significantly. This manufacturing process is being used to create the chassis and body for a fleet of next-generation e-motorcycles, which will be available for consumers in Europe later this year.

Regarding the technology, Nyvang said, “Using STILFOLD, manufacturers can minimise resource consumption and waste, cut down on labor costs and ultimately reduce the environmental impact of production. We’re launching in Europe first as it’s a market that relies heavily on outsourcing and has much to gain from increasing its domestic manufacturing capabilities. Next, we will look to expand into other international markets.”

50% lower climate impact

To reduce the product’s carbon footprint, STILRIDE aims to create a production process, which allows the steel sheets to be flat-packed and shipped to local factories across Europe where they will be folded and fitted with a hub motor and battery pack. Already, the climate impact of developing the SUS1’s chassis is 50% lower than that of traditional scooters.

STILRIDE’s proprietary STILFOLD technology will be used initially for e-motorcycles. Later it will be used to add Cargo Bikes and trailers to its portfolio. Already, 90,000 people are on the waiting list for the STILRIDE SUS1 e-scooter. The company will release the first pre-series for customers in the autumn of 2022.

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