Suzuki Introduces ‘MOQBA’, A Visionary Quad Bike That Can Climb Stairs

Suzuki has introduced the MOQBA, a four-wheeled electric scooter with a distinctive feature: articulating legs that allow it to… climb up stairs.

The MOQBA’s design is specifically tailored to address transportation challenges, particularly those posed by steps, in urban environments, including regions with well-established public transit systems, such as Japan, where it can be challenging for those with mobility issues to get around metro stations as there are a lot of stairs and a lack of elevators and ramps. Although it remains in the conceptual stage, this innovative design aims to redefine urban scootering by offering enhanced stability and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Suzuki MOQBA
Modular Quad Based Architecture
実現性は低いけどちょっと乗ってみたい感がすごいhttps://t.co/AT6I5egYbo pic.twitter.com/T9iRtoTBHo

— rocketengine (@rocketengine) October 3, 2023

The MOQBA is designed with four legs that can transition into wheels, enabling it to surmount obstacles like stairs and navigate rough terrain. Its design is a unique fusion of a motorcycle-style saddle and handlebars and a distinctive chassis connected to modular rails and articulated legs.

The modular leg platform supports various chassis configurations, ranging from a stair-climbing wheelchair to a medical stretcher and a heavy-duty cargo carrier.

With three versatile modes–Chair, Standing, and Stretcher–the MOQBA promises flexible transportation and mobility options.

Suzuki also envisions the MOQBA as a potential solution for areas inaccessible to conventional cars, particularly in emergencies.

Often, vehicles that aim to make urban navigation more accessible take a more orthodox route and usually don’t step out of the box, as in this case. MOQBA, while it looks like something out of a sci-fi film, could potentially ease the hassle of having to plan routes around a city for those with mobility issues.

[via Robb Report and Jalopnik, cover image via Suzuki]