Skype’s former leading engineer Toivo Annus and the Estonian Business School (EBS) are taking part in a fascinating business project that will soon introduce a tricycle vehicle with an electric engine on the streets.

The three wheeled invention called Roadside Monoposto resembles a pedicab or a rickshaw and is being developed by designer Tarmo Härmaorg and bicycle technician Lauri-Tanel Välja. What differentiates this novel vehicle from rickshaws on Tallinn’s streets is its lighter frame and more affordable price. 

Härmaorg says Roadside Monoposto is basically a bicycle, yet a much better one than regular bicycles. The vehicle is easier to notice in traffic, enables luggage transportation and a child seat can be attached to it. The three wheel build provides for more stability – the vehicle will not “wiggle” like a bicycle when taking off. A stronger pipe frame can stand collisions better. 

Furthermore, riding a Roadside Monoposto is more comfortable than riding a bicycle. Sitting on a back rested chair, your strength will last six times as long as when riding a bike. 

The vehicle’s developers admit there’s more than enough work still to be done on the wonder machine. They want to add an electric engine and batteries to the muscle powered prototype, enabling one to ride for an hour and a half at a 30 km/h speed. The developers also want to give their last touch to the vehicle’s side lamps and design so as to make sure it will fit through any door without problem and would even fit into an elevator.

Obligatory gadgets such as blinker lights and mirrors will be added as well. After that, feel free to fantasize about stereo systems and navigation devices. 

The idea for the Roadside Monoposto, Härmaorg reveals, was born out of the realization that it is dangerous to ride a bicycle in the city and it requires “acrobatic abilities”. Also, it is inconvenient to transport shopping bags and laptops, for example, on a bike. “When developing the vehicle, we mostly kept in mind young families, living in the city vicinity. It’s designed for leisure time activities and personal transport on shorter journeys,” explains Härmaorg.

A Roadside Monoposto weighs approximately the same as bicycles i.e. 10-20 kilograms, and its standard price is close to 15 00 USD which exceeds the price of a bicycle but is below that of a motorcycle. The price of an electric engine starts from approximately 500 USD.

In Estonia, the Roadside Monoposto should be in stores by as soon as 2009. Prior to that, “baby illnesses” of the prototype have to be rooted out. The project’s leaders are looking for companies that would be interested in renting the vehicles out for the summer.

For Toivo Annus, the Roadside Monoposto is a personal investment, unrelated to the Ambient Sound Investments investment group.

Learn more about Roadside Monoposto by clicking here.