STILRIDE is a Stockholm-based startup that has developed a pioneering approach to environmentally-friendly mobility. Today, the company has just announced the launch of a parent company through which its ‘industrial origami’ tech will be made accessible to designers, architects, manufacturers and engineers.
Founded in 2019 by Tue Beijer and Jonas Nyvang, STILRIDE produces cutting-edge electromobility products using STILFOLD technology with the aim of reimaging how high-performance electric-mobility products are manufactured and distributed. The young startup uses cutting-edge steelwork, advanced robotics and ambitious design to fold single sheets of recyclable steel into intricate, lightweight and durable new structures – significantly reducing the environmental impact of production.
Now, they have launched STILFOLD in response to growing demands for the tech. Back in January, the company picked up €2.9 million and has been growing fast since.
Jonas Nyvang, co-founder and CEO at STILFOLD, explained: “We always envisioned separating the STILFOLD and STILRIDE brands to differentiate our products from the technology itself. But we didn’t imagine we’d be in a position to make this move so early on in our journey. We’re immensely excited to be able to affect this change, as it signals a new phase for the business where we can finally share our technology with industry players and kickstart the ‘green steel’ revolution.”
Through STILFOLD, designers and manufacturers will be able to use specially-designed fittings for robotic arms to fold sheets of steel over curves, significantly reducing the environmental impact of production. STILFOLD’s specialist software will enable designers to simulate folding and unfolding their desired structure from a metal sheet, before programming the robotic arms to carry out the complex folding process.
The vision behind the launch is to empower designers, architects and manufacturers with the tools to design and engineer everything from buildings and bridges to kitchen appliances in a sustainable way, using cutting-edge steelwork, robotics and innovative design. It’s thought that manufacturing processes account for roughly 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so the young company’s solution certainly has the potential to make a great impact.
The potential applications for the technology are diverse. STILRIDE is already using STILFOLD to build a hotly anticipated e-motorbike – the Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1) – which will go on pre-series release this autumn.
The technology has been shown to significantly reduce the climate impact of production. For example, the development of SUS1 found that using STILFOLD requires 70% fewer components – driving a 25% reduction in labour costs and 20% reduction in material costs. It also has a smaller carbon footprint because the production process allows for the steel sheets to be flat-packed and shipped to small, local workshops to be folded close to the end consumer. Already, the climate impact of developing the SUS1’s chassis is 50% lower than that of traditional scooters.
Jonas Nyvang added: “We are extremely passionate about electromobility. But early on we knew the potential for this technology to go beyond just EVs. Using STILFOLD, manufacturers across all industries can minimise resource consumption and waste, cut labour costs and ultimately reduce the environmental impact of production: which is a key mission for everyone in the industry in the midst of the climate crisis. We sit at the intersection of technology, electromobility, manufacturing and design – and we want to help each of these industries become more sustainable, without compromising on quality craftsmanship, innovation or style.”
There are already over 100,000 people signed up on the waiting list, showing a really promising future for this young company. The team are also running pilots with multinational design and manufacturing brands including a major trailer manufacturer, which are looking for innovative new ways to reduce their impact on the planet.