But now, they are being given their very own sound.
This sound will alert pedestrians and other roads users of approaching escooters.
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There are currently no standards or regulations in place for audible escooter alerts.
How do researchers develop an escooter sound?
The sound will encompass the needs of people with sight loss, hearing loss, and neurodiverse conditions.
Notably, theres also an intention not to addsound pollutionto the already loud city streets.
The researchers aim to produce the sound and have it tested by operators in London this year.
I wonder what other scenarios it could be used in?
What sound do you think an escooter should make?
Ive been thinking about what noise an approachingescootershould make.
Also, it needs to not make neurodiverse people feel more stressed than they should be.
According to the team at TNW,some sounds are better than others.
Its a definite challenge for the researchers.
Got a sound in mind?Let us knowon Twitter.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin.
