Ford’s micromobility subsidiary, Spin, has launched a three-wheeled scooter that can be remotely operated and manoeuvred out of the way when it has been parked inconsiderately. A pilot share scheme featuring the new technology will be run in Boise, Idaho this spring.

Making use of front- and rear-facing cameras, the Spin Valet platform relies on software developed by Tortoise.

If you for some reason can’t imagine a three-wheeled scooter moving around on its own, you can see footage of it in operation here.

At the minute, the technology is primarily geared towards parking and ensuring e-scooters aren’t cluttering up pavements and getting in people’s way. However, the video suggests that it could have broader applications long-term.

The possibility that users could ‘hail’ a scooter is floated with the scooter being driven – or driving itself – to an agreed meeting point.

Commenting on the Boise trial, Ben Bear, Chief Business Officer at Spin, said: “There has been a lot of fanfare around the potential of remote-controlled e-scooters, but this partnership marks a turning point in tangible operational plans to bring them to city streets.

“In addition to providing reliability to consumers and more order to city streets, this could significantly improve unit economics, reducing carbon emissions and the operational work required to maintain and reposition fleets.”