The Atto Travel Scooter: A Mobility Scooter That Comes Along for the Whole Day

People often describe similar patterns when getting around starts to take more effort for them. The invitations keep coming, but each yes takes more planning. Whether it’s a long walk from the car park, the queue at the market or the airport at the other end of a family visit slowly these issues become some of the reasons that people choose to stay home.

For many of the people we talk to, a mobility scooter can become the answer to their mobility needs, provided it can come along with them for the whole day. That is where the Atto earns its place. It folds in seconds, wheels along like a suitcase and splits into two pieces light enough to lift into a car boot, so then the scooter fits around you and your plans. With summer weddings, markets, road trips and holidays coming up, here is a closer look at how the Atto scooter works and who it best suits.

What makes the Atto different

The Atto was designed to be as easy to transport as it is to drive, and a few of its features might make the difference.

• It folds in seconds. The Atto folds into a compact upright shape 72 centimetres high, 39 centimetres long and 42 centimetres wide, which is roughly the footprint of a carry-on suitcase.

• Trolley mode. Once folded, you can tilt it and wheel it along on its own wheels, through a shopping centre, into a lift or across an airport terminal, without lifting it.

• It splits into two lighter pieces. When it does need lifting, the Atto separates into a front and rear section of around 12 and 17 kilograms. For many couples and families, the weight usually decides whether the scooter comes along or stays in the garage.

• A small, removable battery. The 48 volt lithium battery weighs under 2 kilograms and lifts out, so you can charge it indoors at home, at a hotel or at a friend's place while the scooter itself stays in the car.

• Puncture-free tyres. Airless tyres mean there is no possible flat tyre to deal with especially when you are a long way from home.

• Small comforts that add up. An adjustable seat, six speed settings and an onboard USB port for charging your phone make a long day out easier.

Where it makes a difference

The best way to judge a travel scooter is to picture the outings you would like to get back to.

• The family day out. The scooter folds and goes into the boot in two separate lifts, and comes out at the other end ready to cover the distance from the car park to the picnic, the sports field or the wedding venue if that’s what you have chosen to do.

• Shopping and cafés. Trolley mode makes the Atto easy to bring indoors, and its turning circle of about 1.35 metres helps in aisles and tighter spaces.

• Flying to see family. The Atto uses a flight-approved lithium battery and folds small enough to check in at the gate as a mobility aid. Airlines set their own rules for lithium batteries, so tell your airline about your scooter when you book, ask what documentation they need, and get their answer in writing.

• Living with less space. Folded, the Atto stores easily in an apartment, a retirement village unit or a campervan, so you can use it every day without giving up a corner of the garage.

Which Atto is right for you?

Independent Living stocks three versions of the Atto. They share the same folding design and range of up to 20 kilometres in ideal conditions, with a few key differences.

The Atto Sport adds a front disc brake, automatic emergency braking and cruise control, which many people can appreciate on longer outings.

Is a travel scooter the right choice for you?

Our priority is finding the scooter that best suits how you live, so it is worth us being clear about where the Atto shines and where another scooter may serve you better.

The Atto is at its best on footpaths, shopping centre floors, paved paths and gentle slopes. It can handle inclines of up to 6 degrees, with around 10 centimetres of ground clearance. If your everyday trips involve steep hills, gravel, grass or long distances, or you need a scooter for daily errands more than for travel, then a mid-size or full-size scooter will usually give you more comfort and range. Our guide, How to Choose the Right Mobility Scooter, compares every category, and our team is happy to talk it through with you.

Range is also worth planning around. The quoted figure assumes flat ground and a fresh battery, so hills, a heavier load and stop-start outings will use more charge. A larger battery is available for some models if you need to go further, so ask our team about the options.

Try it, and we will show you how it folds

How easily a scooter folds, and how it feels to lift, are things you need to try for yourself. Visit our showrooms in Browns Bay, Royal Oak or Botany and take your time with our wide range of travel scooters, or book a home visit through our mobile service in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel. We ship nationwide, with free delivery across Auckland metro.

Every new mobility scooter from Independent Living comes with 12 months of complimentary AA mobility cover, which you can extend to 36 months for an extra $39. Our team will also show you how to fold, lift, charge and look after your scooter, so you feel confident before your first trip.

Independent Living has been helping New Zealanders live well for more than 40 years. As a charitable trust, we give honest advice focused on the outings and trips that matter to you, with no pressure from us to buy.

Call us on 0800 625 100, or visit ilsnz.org or drop into a showroom, and we will help you plan your next big day out.