In an era of extensive screen time and social media use, some parents wish that their kids would engage in longer periods of outdoor, active play. Droyd, a 1-year-old company that specializes in electric rideables, is answering the call by creating innovative ride-ons that parents can feel comfortable letting their young ones use to whip around the neighborhood.
The creators behind Droyd have more than 20 years of experience producing electric vehicles, and boast an understanding of how to achieve the perfect cumulation of safety, performance, reliability, and excitement within the company’s products.
Following the launch of its Wheeler and Blipper e-bikes, and the Big Wheel-inspired Romper trike, Droyd is powering ahead with a trio of new offerings to extend the brand. The Zypster Go-Kart and Fury all-terrain vehicle (ATV) join the lineup this month, followed by the Nugget scooter this spring.
Pink Nugget | Source: Droyd
Blue Zypster | Source: Droyd
Products Built with Safety in Their DNA
Droyd focuses on implementing safety features that will comfort parents without limiting the amount of fun that their kids will have. Vice President Thuan Tran believes that the early success of Droyd can be traced back to its dedication to safety. “Our electric rideables are unique to other electric rideables due to the innovative safety features we’ve built into the design of our products,” Tran says.
“Safety is consistently kept in mind throughout the process of building our brand and each of our products, to ensure Droyd is a brand that both parents and children can trust.”
The carefully-tested safety features include slow-start acceleration, speed locks, electromechanical brakes, and LED lights. Slow start acceleration gradually increases speed so kids have less chance of becoming injured or frightened from a sudden jolt or increase in speed. The automatic slow-start accelerator pedal, as well as the electromechanical brake that rolls to a stop once pressure is removed from the pedal, help to prevent accidental launches.
If parents are too nervous to trust their little one on their own, they can utilize the built-in parental speed controls. Adults can use a key to lock in a maximum speed and watch their kids play without worrying about unexpected increases in velocity.
According to Tran, “everything Droyd offers undergoes testing and certification to meet today’s safety standards; this includes UL, ASTM, or CPSC guidelines.”
The New Power Trio
The Zypster is a mini electric go-kart for kids ages 3-6. Available in pink or teal, the Zypster has four wheels, a 24-volt lithium-ion battery, a steel frame, and a plastic body, so it can handle extensive playtime. Kids can also lean against the backrest for a more comfortable ride, a factor that is important to Droyd.
“We consider how a child will feel in the driver’s seat, and what adjustments they can make to fit their individual comfort levels,” Tran says. Adults can implement the speed lock at a maximum speed of 3 miles per hour (mph) or 6 mph.
Pink Zypster | Source: Droyd
Blue Nugget | Source: Droyd
The Nugget comes in both pink and blue and was crafted with toddlers in mind. The 18-volt electric scooter has big googly, welcoming eyes and is built for kids ages 3-6 to travel at a maximum speed of 3 mph.
The final new entry to the lineup is the Droyd Fury ATV for ages 6 and up. The four-wheel rideable can handle the excitement of an 8-year-old zipping down the block at speeds of 10 or 15 mph as it’s built with four pneumatic tubeless tires, a 36-volt lithium-ion battery, and a fully plastic body that rests on a steel frame. Kids also have an opportunity to get creative with customizable graphic details.
As the Droyd catalog increases and new designs become a reality, retailers and consumers will discover new products to spark kids’ appetite for outdoor adventures.
A version of this feature was originally published in the 2023 Innovation & STEAM issue of The Toy Book. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!
