Video killed the radio star, and high prices killed Segway's years-long attempt at getting the revolutionary Segway PT to be embraced as a personal mobility vehicle. But here's to new beginnings, Custom Robotics is hoping.
The Segway PT (Personal Transporter) walked so the Panzer could run. The two companies are not directly associated, but their products share a connection in the way they're presented as personal mobility vehicles but are more likely to see a higher adoption rate with fleet operators.
The Segway PT is dead, as you probably know. It was officially discontinued in 2020 after nearly two decades of trying to become the personal mobility vehicle of the future and selling only some 140,000 units in that timeframe. It was never embraced as such because of its high price, but it was a hit with fleet operators, becoming a fixture with security companies, tour operators, airport services, and even police squads.
Panzer is hoping to do what the Segway PT couldn't do while also capitalizing on the utilitarian aspect. It is a badass, all-electric scooter with tank treads designed for all off-road scenarios and easy maintenance. It can be used for leisure for all-terrain riding, or it can be used as a fleet vehicle in scenarios where a wheeled e-scooter wouldn't be of use.
Photo: Custom Robotics
The Panzer takes his name from the WWII German tank, and that's the first indication of what makes this e-scooter unlike any other you've seen. It rides on tank treads, which give it its all-terrain capability and, according to creator Jonathan Jones, the ability to conquer the roughest environments with ease. Dual-direct drive motors power the tracks, which come with full suspension, and the Panzer is capable of topping out at 15 mph (24 kph).
At this speed and with an average-weight rider (180 lbs/) on top, the Panzer has an estimated range of one hour. These figures allow us to draw another comparison to the Segway PT, also in Panzer's favor: while it has comparable per-charge operation time, it's faster than its predecessor. The fact that it can roll over anything in its path is the biggest ace up its sleeve, though.
The Panzer integrates a front light and a safety throttle on the right-hand grip. It also features a "Dual Grip" drive system that should prevent accidents, as the motors kick in only when you have both hands on the handlebar.
Photo: Instagram/Jonathan Jones
Other details have not been made public as of the time of press, so there's no mention of the total power of the motors or the e-scooter's weight or payload.
In official photos, the Panzer looks impressive – a sort of militarized, more rugged version of the friendly clean-up robot Wall-E from the movie of the same name. But Jones' photos offer a better appreciation of this machine, which is as big and probably as heavy as it's rugged.
The Panzer is now in its first prototype stage, with Custom Robotics trying to gauge interest with a hefty discount. According to Jones, the Panzer is an "all-electric personal tracked vehicle," but the official page of the e-scooter makes it clear that it's not meant for the private sector but rather for specialized niches, like the military or the oil and construction industries.
Photo: Instagram/Jonathan Jones
The official description notes that the company is now working on creating a lineup of suitable accessories, including tool boxes and mounts, as well as replacement parts. The Panzer is designed to carry payloads over difficult terrain, withstand harsh environments, and help "minimize storage, fuel consumption, and maintenance downtime."
That said, Jones also compares it to an electric motorcycle both in terms of pricing and range. The way he sees it, the current e-bike market – meaning motorcycles, not bicycles – is a "luxury" one, and that's where the Panzer would fit in.
"If you’d like to compare similar items a Sur-Ron e dirt bike is 5k and a CAKE electric dirt bike is 14k so essentially the electric e bike market is a 'luxury item'," Jones argues on social media. The advantage of the Panzer is that the initial high cost is offset by high-quality materials and the guarantee of very cheap maintenance throughout its lifecycle.
Photo: Custom Robotics
That brings us to the issue of pricing, which is yet another thing the Panzer has in common with the late Segway PT. MRSP is estimated at $14,999, but the v1 prototype is now taking pre-orders for $9,999.
If you have $10K you're willing to spend on a tracked e-scooter with just a one-hour per-charge range and little application in an urban scenario, you don't need any more convincing; but chances are most people don't have that kind of money – and won't spend it on it, even if they had. Discount or not.
As a utilitarian vehicle, though, there's potential in the Panzer, so it's one to keep an eye out for.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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