CES 2026’s most extreme personal mobility devices arrive as Singapore grapples with evolving micromobility regulations
SINGAPORE — When INMOTION unveiled its flagship P6 electric unicycle at CES 2026 in Las Vegas last week, boasting a top speed of 93 mph, the announcement sent ripples through the global personal mobility community. But in Singapore, where personal mobility devices (PMDs) are governed by some of the world’s strictest regulations, the launch raises critical questions about the future of high-performance micromobility in the city-state.
The Performance Leap
INMOTION’s latest offerings represent a quantum leap in personal electric mobility capabilities. The P6 electric unicycle and RS PRO scooter, with top speeds of 93 mph and 94 mph respectively, dwarf the performance of devices currently legal on Singapore’s streets, where PMDs are limited to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) on footpaths and cycling paths.
The P6’s proprietary silicon carbide high-voltage electrical architecture and automotive-grade battery system signal a maturation of the technology, moving beyond hobbyist devices toward serious transportation alternatives. The company’s establishment of official after-sales service centers in the United States suggests an expansion strategy that could eventually target sophisticated Asian markets.
Singapore’s Regulatory Reality
Singapore’s relationship with high-performance PMDs has been complicated. Following a series of fire incidents and safety concerns between 2018-2019, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) implemented stringent regulations under the Active Mobility Act. Currently, PMDs must not exceed 20 kg in weight and 25 km/h in speed, and are banned from footpaths in most areas, restricted to park connector networks and cycling paths.
Electric unicycles occupy a particularly ambiguous space in Singapore’s regulatory framework. While technically classified as PMDs, their single-wheel design and higher performance capabilities have made them less common than e-scooters. The arrival of devices like the P6, which can theoretically travel nearly six times Singapore’s speed limit for PMDs, highlights a growing disconnect between technological capability and regulatory frameworks.
The Underground Community
Despite restrictive regulations, Singapore hosts a dedicated community of electric unicycle enthusiasts who import high-performance devices for private use or ride them in designated areas. Online forums and social media groups reveal riders who venture to industrial estates, private roads, or even travel to Malaysia for unrestricted riding experiences.
“The technology has evolved far beyond what our regulations contemplate,” says one local electric unicycle rider who requested anonymity. “Devices like the P6 aren’t designed for sidewalks anyway. They’re performance vehicles that deserve their own regulatory category.”
Safety Innovation vs. Speed Concerns
INMOTION’s emphasis on safety features in the P6 addresses some regulatory concerns. The active cooling system prevents overheating under heavy loads, while the automotive-grade battery system aims to eliminate the fire risks that plagued earlier PMD generations. The intelligent RideConnect service ecosystem provides real-time monitoring and diagnostics.
However, safety authorities in Singapore have historically prioritized speed limitations over technological safeguards. The question becomes whether advanced safety systems can justify higher performance thresholds, or whether speed itself remains the primary risk factor in dense urban environments.
Economic and Tourism Implications
Singapore’s position as a regional innovation hub creates tension with its conservative approach to PMD regulation. While the government actively promotes smart mobility and autonomous vehicle testing, restrictions on personal electric vehicles may push enthusiasts and businesses toward more permissive markets.
The broader Asian market presents opportunities. Countries like Thailand and Indonesia have emerging PMD industries with less restrictive frameworks. If Singapore maintains its current stance, it risks becoming a regulatory island while neighboring nations capture the economic benefits of the growing micromobility sector, projected to reach significant market values over the coming decade.
Tourism could also be affected. Electric unicycle and high-performance scooter tours have become attractions in cities worldwide. Singapore’s inability to accommodate such experiences may represent missed opportunities in the adventure tourism segment.
The Path Forward
Several potential pathways could reconcile high-performance PMDs with Singapore’s safety priorities:
Tiered Licensing System: Similar to motorcycle classifications, PMDs could be categorized by performance level, with higher-speed devices requiring special licenses, insurance, and designated usage areas.
Designated Performance Zones: Industrial estates, specific park connectors, or purpose-built tracks could accommodate high-performance devices away from pedestrian areas.
Technology-Based Regulation: Rather than blanket speed limits, regulations could focus on geofencing capabilities, requiring devices to automatically limit speed based on location.
Private Property Exemptions: Clearer frameworks for using high-performance PMDs on private roads and industrial areas could satisfy enthusiasts without public safety concerns.
Regional Perspective
Singapore’s cautious approach contrasts with regional neighbors. Malaysia’s less prescriptive regulations have created opportunities for cross-border riding tourism. Thailand is actively developing its electric vehicle ecosystem with more accommodating policies. Even within ASEAN, regulatory fragmentation creates opportunities for some markets while constraining others.
As INMOTION expands its global presence with products like the P6 and RS PRO, Singapore faces a decision point. The city-state can maintain its restrictive stance, effectively excluding itself from the high-performance micromobility market, or it can develop sophisticated regulatory frameworks that acknowledge both technological advancement and legitimate safety concerns.
Industry Response
Local retailers and importers watch developments cautiously. While some stock entry-level electric unicycles that comply with current regulations, the business case for high-performance devices remains uncertain without regulatory clarity.
“There’s definitely interest in Singapore for premium devices,” notes one mobility retailer. “But without a legal framework for where and how they can be used, it’s difficult to invest in bringing in high-end products.”
Conclusion
INMOTION’s CES 2026 showcase represents both opportunity and challenge for Singapore. The technology demonstrates that personal electric mobility has evolved into a legitimate high-performance transportation category, complete with automotive-grade engineering and sophisticated safety systems.
The question is whether Singapore’s regulatory framework can evolve at similar speed. As the city-state pursues its smart nation vision and sustainable mobility goals, finding space for innovation while maintaining safety standards will require creative policy solutions.
For now, Singaporean enthusiasts can admire the P6’s 93 mph capability from afar, perhaps while planning their next riding trip across the Causeway. Whether that changes depends on policymakers’ willingness to reimagine what personal mobility can mean in a modern city-state.
INMOTION has not announced specific plans for Singapore market entry. The LTA did not respond to requests for comment on potential regulatory updates for high-performance PMDs.