Lidar-Powered Strutt EV1 Redefines Personal Mobility with Advanced Navigation and Collision Avoidance

Singapore - Ekhbary News Agency

Lidar-Powered Strutt EV1 Redefines Personal Mobility with Advanced Navigation and Collision Avoidance

In a move set to revolutionize personal mobility, Singapore-based startup Strutt unveiled its EV1 device at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. This powered personal mobility vehicle represents a significant leap in assistive technology, integrating lidar, cameras, and onboard computing to provide advanced collision avoidance capabilities. Unlike traditional manually-steered powered wheelchairs, the EV1 introduces a novel 'shared control' approach, where the user dictates direction and speed while the device intelligently intervenes to avert hazards and ensure safe navigation in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Tony Hong, Strutt's cofounder and CEO, articulates a vision that extends beyond conventional notions of disability. "The problem isn’t always disability," Hong explains. "Sometimes people are just tired. They have limited energy, and mobility shouldn’t consume it." This philosophy underpins the EV1's broader appeal, positioning it not merely as a wheelchair alternative but as an "everyday vehicle" designed to enhance independence for anyone facing mobility challenges, whether due to aging, fatigue, or physical conditions.

From Robotics to Mobility: Tony Hong's Vision

Developing a mobility platform was not Hong’s initial ambition. Trained in optics and sensor systems, he previously honed his expertise in aerospace and robotics. From 2016 to 2019, he spearheaded the development of lidar systems for drones at Shenzhen, China-based DJI, a leading manufacturer of consumer and professional drones. Hong then transitioned into academia, serving as an assistant professor at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen—a renowned institution for its research in robotics, human augmentation, sensors, and rehabilitation engineering.

However, global demographic trends prompted a shift in his focus. With populations in Asia, Europe, and North America aging rapidly, an increasing number of individuals face limited stamina, slower reaction times, or balance challenges. Recognizing the urgent need for innovative solutions to support these individuals, Hong departed academia to establish Strutt in 2023 and develop the EV1.

Cutting-Edge Technology for Safe Navigation

The EV1 relies on a sophisticated array of sensors to ensure precise and safe navigation. The device incorporates two lidar units, two cameras, 10 time-of-flight depth sensors, and six ultrasonic sensors. Data from these sensors feeds into onboard computing that performs real-time object detection and path planning. Hong emphasizes the critical importance of accuracy, stating, "We need accuracy at a few centimeters. Otherwise, you’re hitting door frames."

An intuitive interface, featuring a touchscreen and joystick, allows users to select destinations within a mapped environment. The system calculates a safe route and guides the vehicle at a reduced speed of approximately 3 miles per hour. Users can instantly override the route with joystick input. Furthermore, the EV1 supports voice commands, enabling users to direct the device to saved waypoints, such as saying, "Go to the fridge," whereupon the EV1 charts a course and navigates there, avoiding obstacles along the way.

The EV1 offers multiple operational modes to cater to different needs. In manual mode, the rider retains full control, with vibration feedback warning of nearby obstacles. In "copilot" mode, the vehicle prevents direct collisions by stopping before impact. "Copilot plus" takes this a step further, allowing the EV1 to steer around obstacles while continuing in the intended direction of travel. "We don’t call it autonomous driving," Hong clarifies. "The user is always responsible and can take control instantly."

Digital Privacy and Robust Durability

In an era of increasing data concerns, Strutt has prioritized user privacy. All perception, planning, and control computations occur onboard the device, meaning sensor data is not transmitted unless the user explicitly chooses to upload logs for diagnostics. Camera and microphone activity is visibly indicated, and wireless communications are encrypted. Navigation and obstacle avoidance functions operate without cloud connectivity, further enhancing data security.

To ensure the EV1's longevity, the Strutt team subjected the vehicle to rigorous testing, including two million roller cycles—a mechanical simulation to estimate the durability of its motors, bearings, suspension, and frame over time. The device's 600-watt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery provides a range of 32 kilometers, sufficient for a full day of errands and indoor navigation. A smaller 300-watt-hour version, compliant with airline lithium-battery limits, offers 16 km, with charging from zero to 80 percent taking two hours.

The Accessibility Challenge: Cost and Coverage

Despite its transformative potential, the EV1's retail price of US$7,500 places it beyond the reach of many individuals. Currently, advanced sensors and embedded computing maintain high manufacturing costs. Moreover, insurance reimbursement frameworks for AI-assisted mobility devices vary significantly by region.

Erick Rocha, communications and development coordinator at the Los Angeles-based advocacy organization Disability Voices United, articulates serious equity concerns. "A retail price of $7,500 raises serious equity concerns," Rocha states. "Many mobility device users in the United States rely on Medicaid, the government insurance program for people with limited incomes. Access must not be restricted to those who can afford to pay out of pocket."

Medicaid coverage for high-tech mobility devices varies widely by state and often involves a complex, documentation-heavy approval process. Many states require prior approval and rigidly define "medically necessary," potentially excluding more specialized or non-standard equipment. Even with these hurdles, Strutt is betting that falling sensor prices and advances in embedded processing will make the EV1's commercial deployment feasible in the long term, potentially opening the door to a more inclusive future for mobility.

Ekhbary News Agency