๐ด Urban Lab: Building an Open-Source Smart Scooter
What happens when you combine 3D printing, open-source hardware, AI, IoT and sustainable mobility?
That's the idea behind Urban Lab โ an experimental project based in Rimini, Italy, developed in connection with the MyZubster ecosystem.
The goal is simple:
Build, test and document a smart electric scooter using accessible technologies and open-source development.
๐ฏ The Project
Urban Lab explores how modern maker technologies can be used to prototype a new generation of connected personal mobility devices.
The project combines:
- ๐จ๏ธ 3D-printed components
- โก Electric drivetrain
- ๐ง AI-assisted diagnostics
- ๐ก IoT sensors
- ๐ฑ Mobile and web interfaces
- ๐ง ESP32-based electronics
- ๐ Open-source software
- โป๏ธ Sustainable design principles
The entire project is documented so that other makers and developers can study, improve and contribute to it.
๐๏ธ Hardware Concept
The current prototype concept includes:
| Component | Target Specification |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon-fiber structure |
| Motor | Brushless 800W / 48V |
| Battery | LiFePO4 48V / 20Ah |
| Controller | VESC |
| Wheels | 10" pneumatic |
| Brakes | Hydraulic |
| Suspension | Front suspension |
| Controller | ESP32 |
| Sensors | GPS, IMU, proximity, NFC |
| Display | OLED |
These specifications represent the current development concept and may change during prototyping and testing.
๐จ๏ธ 3D Printing
One of the main objectives of Urban Lab is to explore how additive manufacturing can simplify prototyping.
Potential printed components include:
- Battery enclosure
- ESP32 mounting brackets
- Electronics covers
- Wheel accessories
- Mudguards
- Grips
- Cable management components
- Structural prototypes
Different materials can be evaluated depending on the mechanical requirements.
Example PETG profile
text
Nozzle: 245ยฐC
Bed: 75ยฐC
Speed: 50 mm/s
Infill: 40%
The final material and print parameters must be validated for each component and its intended load.
๐ง AI Integration
AI is one of the most interesting parts of the Urban Lab concept.
Pytho AI
The MyZubster ecosystem includes Pytho, an AI assistant that can potentially be used for:
๐ง Technical diagnostics
๐ Sensor-data analysis
โ๏ธ Maintenance assistance
๐ง Troubleshooting
๐ Technical documentation
The long-term goal is to make the vehicle capable of collecting data and using that information to help identify potential problems.
๐ก IoT & Sensors
The prototype architecture includes several sensors:
Sensor Example Model Purpose
GPS NEO-6M Position
IMU MPU6050 Motion and orientation
Proximity HC-SR04 Obstacle detection
NFC RC522 Authentication
OLED 1.3" Local information
The ESP32 acts as the main controller for the connected electronics.
๐ง ESP32 Firmware
A simplified firmware architecture looks like this:
#include <Arduino.h>
struct ScooterState {
float speed = 0;
float battery = 100;
float temperature = 25;
bool isMoving = false;
bool isLocked = false;
};
ScooterState scooterState;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
setupSensors();
setupWiFi();
setupBLE();
}
void loop() {
readSensors();
displayStatus();
updateBLE();
checkErrors();
delay(100);
}
The firmware is designed around a simple principle:
collect โ process โ communicate โ monitor
๐ฑ Mobile Interface
A future mobile application can provide a centralized interface for the vehicle.
Potential features include:
Battery monitoring
Vehicle status
Sensor information
BLE connectivity
Lock/unlock functionality
GPS information
Maintenance notifications
AI-assisted diagnostics
Example React Native connection:
const connectDevice = async (device) => {
const connectedDevice = await device.connect();
await connectedDevice
.discoverAllServicesAndCharacteristics();
const data = await readCharacteristic();
setScooterData(parseData(data));
setConnected(true);
};
๐ Web Dashboard
The project can also expose a web dashboard for real-time monitoring.
For example:
<div class="card">
<div class="card-icon">โก</div>
<div class="card-label">Speed</div>
<div class="card-value" id="speed">
0.0 km/h
</div>
</div>
<div class="card">
<div class="card-icon">๐</div>
<div class="card-label">Battery</div>
<div class="card-value" id="battery">
100%
</div>
</div>
This architecture could later be connected to the IoT infrastructure used by MyZubster.
๐ญ From Prototype to Real-World Testing
Urban Lab is not just about writing software.
The project requires several development stages:
1. CAD Design
โ
2. Prototype
โ
3. 3D Printing
โ
4. Mechanical Assembly
โ
5. Electronics
โ
6. Firmware
โ
7. Software
โ
8. Testing
โ
9. Safety Validation
โ
10. Regulatory / Road Compliance
Safety and regulatory compliance are essential before any road use.
๐ Project Structure
urban-lab-scooter/
โ
โโโ 3d-printing/
โ โโโ stl-files/
โ โโโ slicer-profiles/
โ โโโ assembly-guide.md
โ
โโโ firmware/
โ
โโโ app/
โ
โโโ docs/
โ
โโโ issues/
The objective is to keep hardware, firmware, software and documentation organized in one open development environment.
๐ Development Roadmap
โ
Current Work
Design research
Hardware architecture
3D-printing experiments
ESP32 firmware development
IoT architecture
AI integration research
๐ Next Steps
Mechanical prototype
Electronics integration
Sensor calibration
Firmware testing
Mobile interface
Web dashboard
Battery and drivetrain testing
Safety validation
๐ฑ Long-Term Vision
The long-term objective is to create a reproducible open-source platform that can be adapted, improved and studied by other makers.
๐ค Open Source
Urban Lab is designed as an open development project.
Contributors can help with:
๐จ๏ธ 3D design
โก Electronics
๐ป Firmware
๐ง AI
๐ฑ Mobile development
๐ Web development
๐ Documentation
๐งช Testing
Pull requests, issues and technical discussions are welcome.
๐ Project Repository
The Urban Lab source code and documentation are available on GitHub:
Urban Lab Scooter
https://github.com/DanielIoni-creator/urban-lab
The project is also connected conceptually to the wider MyZubster ecosystem.
MyZubster
https://github.com/myzubster/myzubster
๐ฟ Why Open Source?
Mobility technology doesn't have to be a black box.
By publishing designs, firmware, documentation and experiments, we can create a space where makers can:
learn from each other,
reproduce experiments,
identify problems,
improve designs,
reduce unnecessary duplication,
and build new ideas on top of existing work.
Urban Lab is an experiment in exactly that philosophy.
๐ Conclusion
Urban Lab is an attempt to bring together maker culture, sustainable mobility, artificial intelligence and open-source hardware.
It starts with a scooter.
But the bigger idea is a laboratory where hardware and software can evolve together.
Build it. Test it. Document it. Improve it. Share it.
๐ด๐ญ๐ฑ๐ค
Urban Lab โ Open-source mobility from Rimini.
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