Cobra
a bold identity for the street
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Olo Mobility's first B2C electric scooter adopts a design philosophy aiming to create a distinctive character and iconic brand identity.
Additionally, it embraces an aesthetic approach reminiscent of a motorcycle's prestige, breaking away from the linear confines of traditional scooter designs, ensuring visibility in active traffic.
in collaboration with
The Problem
Why has scooter design become so flat?
Current e-scooters often share the same flat, volume-less design language, making them feel generic and visually weak.
This reduces both the user’s emotional connection to the product and its presence, visibility, and perceived respect in traffic.
Geometric Inspiration & Ideation
When I started exploring whether I could borrow geometric cues from products in other industries to build the formal logic of the scooter, I came across this eyeliner.
I thought its geometry could be analyzed and used as a strong foundation for constructing the scooter’s overall form.
I then redrew the geometry from scratch to better understand how it was constructed.
Without this analysis, it would not have been possible to think through the form in three dimensions.
The cobra also became one of the strongest sources of inspiration for the design.
I saw that the proportionally larger scale of its head compared to its body creates a striking presence, and that this principle could help resolve the flat, two-dimensional character often found in scooters.
Product Overview
Riding Controlls
The touchscreen provides quick access to essential riding information, while the brake on the left and the gas pedal on the right ensure smooth and controlled handling. Integrated signal buttons and lights enhance visibility during turns, helping create a safer riding experience.
The Body
The body form draws on biomimicry, inspired by the proportional relationship between a cobra’s head and body to move beyond the conventional single-form scooter chassis.
The headlight pattern is abstracted from a fingerprint, giving the product a distinctive identity that reflects the user’s personality and style.
The Deck
Continuous LED lines run along the full length of the deck, increasing the scooter’s visual presence on the road. This creates a stronger sense of spatial awareness around the vehicle, helping establish a subtle “untouchable zone” for improved safety.
How to Fold the Cobra?
The folding mechanism is activated by pulling the red pin, which releases the deck from the main body. Once the deck folds back into contact with the frame, the system locks securely in place, allowing the product to be carried directly from the body.
Charging
Once folded, the scooter can be hung on a wall-mounted charging unit, where it begins charging automatically. This solution combines compact storage with seamless charging for a cleaner and more efficient user experience.
Cobra on the Street
