The energy scooter project began in PS 107 in the Bronx, NY and was championed primarily by two young female students (Allie and Shakeena) who are now, seven years later, in college. The students wanted to create a product that would motivate more kids to get out and exercise so they designed a scooter attachment that generates electricity when it’s foot-peddled to charge handheld devices.
The young makers worked on a number of prototypes including a wooden scooter that they built in a workshop at PS 107. They later created more advanced prototypes with Autodesk (makers of engineers design software), engineering students from the Olin College of Engineering and with Pensa design in Brooklyn. They first completed a large attachment that fit onto the handle of a kick scooter then they worked on additional designs to reduce the size of the energy generating mechanism.
Rachael Ray invited Allie and Shakeena on her television show to describe their invention to the Sharks of “Shark Tank” and they received a cash prize. The patent on the portable device was secured in September 2017 with support from Brooklyn Law school.