Revolutionizing Urban Commute: The SOL Pocket Rocket

Manuel Messmer's Award-Winning Design Defines a New Category of Electric Two-Wheelers

Manuel Messmer, the founder of SOL Motors, has created a unique urban commuter vehicle, the SOL Pocket Rocket. This innovative design, which won the Silver A' Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award in 2019, is not an e-bike or a moped, but a 'noped', carving out a new niche in the realm of electric mobility.

Manuel Messmer's inspiration for the Pocket Rocket stemmed from his dissatisfaction with existing designs for electric vehicles and his passion for progress in this area. He sought to design a vehicle that offered both high performance and sustainable design, with a focus on individual mobility and minimal maintenance. The result is a vehicle that is too fast to be an e-bike and lacks the pedals of a moped, thus defining a new category of electric two-wheelers.

The Pocket Rocket was designed and engineered in Stuttgart, Germany, and its unique properties set it apart from other electric vehicles. The free space in the V-frame underneath the vehicle is a nod to the new era of mobility, symbolizing the absence of the combustion motor bulk and the possibilities that arise from the newly gained space. This innovative design has earned the Pocket Rocket several accolades, including the German Design Award 2018, the European Product Design Award Platinum 2018, and Focus Open Gold 2018.

The Pocket Rocket is equipped with a custom app that allows the user's smartphone to serve as a fully functional controller. The vehicle can be plugged into a common outlet for charging, or the battery can be removed and charged at home, at work, or in a restaurant. The vehicle's dimensions are L174 x W73 x H121 cm, and it offers eco, sport, and wheelie driving modes. It also features regenerative braking and a connectivity module for sharing and fleet management integration.

Manuel Messmer, an industrial designer with experience in product design and product development for international brands, believes that the future of transportation should be based on sustainable resources and designs that incorporate them. His commitment to sustainable design, individual mobility, and maximum performance with minimum maintenance is evident in the Pocket Rocket, which represents a significant step forward in the field of electric mobility.

Manuel Messmer holds the design patent for the Pocket Rocket, and the copyrights belong to him. His innovative design and commitment to sustainability and individual mobility have not only earned him numerous awards but also contributed to the advancement of electric mobility. The Pocket Rocket is a testament to his vision and creativity, and it is set to revolutionize urban commuting.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Manuel Messmer
Image Credits: Gökçe Baturay
Project Team Members: Manuel Messmer
Project Name: SOL Pocket Rocket
Project Client: Manuel Messmer


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