Objective: To design a portable electric vehicle that would solve the last-mile problem plaguing millions
Major Considerations:
1) Has to be stylish and sleek
2) Has to fit inside a backpack
3) Have a range of 15 miles
4) Minimum speed of 12 mph
Solution: The final design utilized some cutting-edge advances in reconfigurable robotics to enable Metroplex to automatically fold down into a size that could fit inside a backpack.
Another version was also made where it could transform into a boombox (this idea was eventually discarded as it was just plain stupid)
Major Considerations:
1) Has to be stylish and sleek
2) Has to fit inside a backpack
3) Have a range of 15 miles
4) Minimum speed of 12 mph
Solution: The final design utilized some cutting-edge advances in reconfigurable robotics to enable Metroplex to automatically fold down into a size that could fit inside a backpack.
Another version was also made where it could transform into a boombox (this idea was eventually discarded as it was just plain stupid)
Isometric view of the final design, in its portable form
Side view of the final design, in its portable form
The results from the research conducted informed our design approach. The aspiration was to learn from Segway's failure and to not commit similar mistakes.
The video below shows an animation of the folding and unfolding mechanism of Metroplex
The series of CAD models below show the folding sequence of one of the initial designs. This design was discarded as it did not satisfy the standards of portability that was agreed upon.
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I was fascinated by the Segway failure. It had all the funding it needed and more, had all the hype, plus amazing support from the tech community (Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos being its most famous proponents) and yet it failed.
A thorough study was done to ascertain the reason for such a public failure. Although inconclusive, the research did provide a clear picture of the likeliest reasons for its failure. The methodology was simple. Look at literally every legitimate article, news piece and paper written online about Segway and cite the number of times a certain reason was credited for its failure. The most cited reason was thought to be the most likely reason for its failure. (this obviously does not make it the actual reason, but this method certainly has its merits) The most frequently cited reasons for failure were: 1) Too expensive 2) Poor communication of value proposition 3) Lack of infrastructure 
Top view of the final design, in its portable form
The most surprising thing about the research was how frequently its dorkiness was cited as a contributor to its demise (cited 9 times, by different sources).
It was clear from this that a personal vehicle has to look cool. Even if the engineering is solid and it has amazing functionality, it will fail if it is not socially accepted. This is the reason for stylishness being a major consideration for this project. The files below document the research that was conducted. There are some notes there in its original, unedited form: 
One of the many initial designs. The design was deemed too boxy and eventually discarded
The final design, when ready to be ridden. The handle is optional and can be retracted for experienced riders
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Credits: S.G.M. Hossain, Lee Rajkhowa