ScooterBug asked Manta to redesign their existing stroller because it was too expensive, was costly to maintain, had poor brakes, and was not easily stored. The existing product was perceived as being low quality and unfriendly.

We replaced the existing tube frame and thermoformed seat with one structural plastic base part on which the handle, canopy and wheels mounted directly. Rotational plastic molding was selected for fabricating the base due to its combination of rigidity, strength, durability and low tooling cost. It also gave us greater freedom to develop the form of the part, allowing us to shape fenders over the wheels, making the form of the base friendlier and safer. Lastly, we redesigned the brake mechanism, made it lock both wheels rather than one, and developed a folding handle and canopy design.

The new design has been a huge success for ScooterBug – sales volumes have tripled since the new design was introduced, surpassing expectations. It has opened doors - producing contracts with major amusement parks such as Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World and Legoland in California. As a result, the Scooterbug is being produced in higher production volumes than anticipated, reducing manufacturing cost. The new design is also more appealing to users, resulting in higher daily rental volumes.

Manta involvement:
Industrial design
Graphic design
Engineering