Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi unveiled a new hands-free electric scooter on Monday that is more affordable compared with the Segway, and that will allow consumers to use their smartphones to remotely control and lock it.

Called the Ninebot mini, the electric scooter is the first product that will launch from Xiaomi's portfolio startup Ninebot, which acquired Segway back in April. Retailing at just $315, the Nintebot mini will allow consumers to join in on the hoverboard and Segway trend without having to shell out the hefty $6,499 for which the most affordable Segway retails.

The self-balancing scooter can go as fast as 10 mph, climb hills at up to a 15 degree incline and go for as far as 13 miles on a single charge. The hands-free scooter has an aerospace-grade magnesium alloy infrastructure and weighs in at 28 lbs, making it lightweight and compact enough to "easily fit in the trunk of a car."

The user's legs steer the Ninebot mini using the mini bar featured in the middle of the scooter, which doubles as a handle for carrying. Using the accompanying app, users can control the Ninebot mini with their smartphones to monitor speed and traffic data, view the speedometer, edit preferences and download firmware upgrades.

The self-balancing Segway rival will come in both white and black color options, and is being marketed as a "cool youth toy."

The Ninebot mini will launch in China on Nov. 3. There are no details yet known about its global launch.

Via: Engadget