Sit or Stand The Multi-Posture Scooter That Adapts to How You Ride

Most short-distance scooters force riders into a single posture: standing. A new patent application from Singapore-based mobility company 3KM PTE. LTD. describes a scooter designed to accommodate both seated and standing riding simultaneously, giving riders flexibility without increasing the size of the vehicle.

The Problem

Short-distance personal transportation vehicles such as kick scooters and self-balancing boards have become popular choices for urban commuters and last-mile travellers. Their compact size and portability make them well suited to navigating narrow streets and crowded spaces. However, the structural simplicity that makes these vehicles so convenient also limits how riders can use them.

In existing designs, drivers are typically required to stand on the deck throughout their journey. This single permitted posture becomes uncomfortable during longer rides and may be physically demanding for riders with limited stamina, mobility challenges, or injuries. There is no provision for sitting down when tired or switching postures depending on terrain and circumstances.

The inventors identified a gap in the market: a short-distance scooter that allows drivers to alternate between standing and sitting without compromising the vehicle’s portability or footprint.

What This Invention Does

The scooter described in this patent includes a body consisting of a deck, a support part, and a seat tube, together with a front wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly that are rotatably connected to the body. A seat assembly is mounted above the deck via the support part, which protrudes upward and tilts slightly backward from the deck surface.

The key design feature is the accommodating space formed between the underside of the seat and the deck’s bearing surface. This space is sized so that at least one foot always remains below the seat whether the driver is sitting on the seat or standing on the bearing surface. The result is a vehicle that seamlessly supports two driving postures without requiring any mechanical reconfiguration.

The seat post connects the seat to the seat tube and is adjustable in height using a locking element at the mounting hole opening. The seat tube itself is oriented in a forward and upward direction, placing the seat at an ergonomic position over the front portion of the deck. A storage space is created behind the seat post between the rear portion of the seat and the seat tube, allowing accessories such as a storage bag to be fitted within the footprint of the vehicle.

Key Features

Dual-posture riding. A carefully proportioned accommodating space between the seat and deck allows the driver to sit on the seat or stand on the bearing surface, with at least one foot always supported below the seat in either position.

Height-adjustable seat post. A locking element at the mounting hole allows the driver to raise or lower the seat to suit their body size and preferred riding posture.

Oblique support part. The support part tilts backward from the deck surface at an obtuse angle, positioning the seat tube and seat in a forward and upward orientation for natural ergonomics during both sitting and standing.

Integrated storage. The mounting space formed between the rear portion of the seat and the seat tube provides a location for a storage member such as a bag, making use of otherwise unused space within the vehicle’s envelope.

Instantly detachable seat tube. The seat tube can be connected to the support part using an instantly detachable structure or integrally moulded with it, offering options for models where the seat can be removed entirely for storage.

Front portion seat geometry. The front portion of the seat, which projects forward of the seat post over the bearing surface, is dimensioned so that the projection-to-deck ratio is between 0.2 and 0.4, keeping the seat compact while allowing adequate support for the rider.

Who Is Behind It?

3KM PTE. LTD. is a Singapore-incorporated company working in the personal mobility space. The inventors named on this application are Wang Qibiao and Xiao Ziqiu, whose work builds on Chinese priority application CN 202422163808.3 filed on 3 September 2024. The application is managed through Remarkable IP in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Why It Matters

Urban mobility is shifting toward lightweight personal vehicles that can handle the final kilometres of a journey in ways that public transport cannot. As these vehicles become part of everyday commuting, rider comfort over longer distances becomes a meaningful design concern. A scooter that lets riders switch from standing to sitting – and back again – without stopping to make mechanical changes addresses a practical limitation that current products do not solve.

From an accessibility perspective, a dual-posture scooter is also more inclusive. Riders who find sustained standing difficult due to age, fatigue, or physical condition gain access to a vehicle category that was previously unsuitable for them. By keeping the additional seat mechanism compact and integrating storage within the same envelope, the design avoids the bulk and weight penalties that might otherwise make such a scooter impractical.

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AU 2025204874 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.

Related Concepts

Micromobility vehicles – including kick scooters and electric scooters – are increasingly used to solve the last-mile challenge in urban transit. Most current designs require riders to stand throughout the journey, limiting accessibility for those with fatigue or mobility concerns. Dual-posture engineering represents a step toward more inclusive personal mobility solutions.