Research on Innovative Design of Two-in-One Portable Electric Scooter Based on Integrated Industrial Design Method

Yang Zhang, Xiaopu Jiang, Shifan Niu and Yi Zhang ()
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Yang Zhang: School of Architecture and Design, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Xiaopu Jiang: School of Architecture and Design, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Shifan Niu: School of Architecture and Design, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
Yi Zhang: School of International Economics and Politics, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang 330013, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-30

Abstract: With the advancement of low-carbon and sustainable development initiatives, electric scooters, recognized as essential transportation tools and leisure products, have gained significant popularity, particularly among young people. However, the current electric scooter market is plagued by severe product similarity. Once the initial novelty fades for users, the usage frequency declines, resulting in considerable resource wastage. This research collected user needs via surveys and employed the KJ method (affinity diagram) to synthesize fragmented insights into cohesive thematic clusters. Subsequently, a hierarchical needs model for electric scooters was constructed using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) principles, enabling systematic prioritization of user requirements through multi-criteria evaluation. By establishing a house of quality (HoQ), user needs were transformed into technical characteristics of electric scooter products, and the corresponding weights were calculated. After analyzing the positive and negative correlation degrees of the technical characteristic indicators, it was found that there are technical contradictions between functional zoning and compact size, lightweight design and material structure, and smart interaction and usability. Then, based on the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ), the contradictions were classified, and corresponding problem-solving principles were identified to achieve a multi-functional innovative design for electric scooters. This research, leveraging a systematic industrial design analysis framework, identified critical pain points among electric scooter users, established hierarchical user needs through priority ranking, and improved product lifecycle sustainability. It offers novel methodologies and perspectives for advancing theoretical research and design practices in the electric scooter domain.

Keywords: electric scooter; product design; analytical hierarchy process (AHP); quality function deployment (QFD); theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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