With Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) becoming more popular, a start-up company here is looking to launch a pilot programme offering short-term rentals of e-scooters. Called Telepod, the scheme functions like a bicycle-sharing system, where users can rent e-scooters from docking stations. The company has developed a prototype docking station that secures a folded-up e-scooter, which can be retrieved by scanning a QR code on the station with a mobile app.

Telepod, founded by five friends who met while studying at Nanyang Technological University, is one of 21 finalists in a Land Transport Authority (LTA) engineering competition for groups to come up with innovative transport solutions. 

The group's project is on display at the Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition, a three-day conference at the Suntec City Convention Centre that ends today.

Telepod is looking to launch a pilot system of between 20 and 40 e-scooters by the end of this year at the Social Innovation Park in Punggol, an incubator for social enterprises, said CEO Gan Jin Ni, 26. 

Residents and workers in the area can take the e-scooters for a spin to the Punggol Waterway area. Pricing details have not been finalised, said Ms. Gan. The team began working on the project in April, with the goal of developing a transport solution to cater to the first and last mile of commuters' journeys.

To rent an e-scooter, a user books one on the app, and scans a QR code on the docking station, which unlocks it. The company ran a two-day trial in August in Woodlands, where they offered 15 e-scooters to students of Republic Polytechnic to travel between the school and Woodlands MRT station, about 1km apart. They charged $2 for 10 minutes of use. Over the two days, the e-scooters were rented 202 times.

Asked about safety concerns, Telepod said its e-scooters would have their speeds capped at 25km/h, and helmets would also be provided at docking stations. Safety concerns over PMDs also featured in a panel discussion at the congress yesterday. A member of the audience asked about Singapore's stance on PMDs, given concerns about safety. 

LTA Director of Active Mobility and Policy Tan Shin Gee said the Government would facilitate the use of PMDs, as some people desire a lightweight mode of transport 'less strenuous than walking or cycling'. "The emphasis should be on making sure people know what are the rules, and what are the appropriate codes of conduct or etiquette when they use such devices and share public spaces with people," said Ms. Tan.