By Will Goodbody, Science & Technology Correspondent
Think scooters, and you automatically think of kids.
But while it is a lot of fun, the e-Skoot electric scooter, is for adults only those distributing it say.
Indeed they won't even sell them to under 18s.
They see the device as a means of helping to get adults around.
In particular it is aimed at those people who could use public transport, except at one end or the other of their journey there is a long, off putting walk involved.
The concept is you bring along your electric scooter, and zip along that first or last leg, making public transport feasible again.
The device looks much like a large version of a children's scooter.
It has a single wheel front and back, an electric motor and a large but discreetly tucked away battery.
The handle bar upright collapses down flat onto the foot plate, and the handle bars fold in, making it quite compact.
At 10.7kg, it is quite heavy to carry though - too heavy for some perhaps.
There is an accelerator mounted on the right handle bar, and a brake on the other - both easily operated using thumbs.
Also on the handle bars is a power switch, a light switch for the front facing lamp (there isn't a light on the rear) and a button for the electric horn.
Driving it is pretty straightforward - even for an awkward lanky specimen like me!
You simply give yourself a push to get it up to 5 km/h at which point the electric motor will take over when the throttle is pressed.
It's pretty nippy - with promised speeds of up to 25 km/h.
The brake works quite effectively, and there is a manual foot brake on the rear if required.
The range is said to be around 35km on a full charge, which takes around two hours.
Charging is as simple as plugging one end of the adaptor into the scooter and the other end into a regular socket on the wall.
The lithium polymer battery is said to be good for 500 charges - enough to last three years - and can be replaced for €350.
There are a few issues with the e-Skoot though.
Hills for one - it can handle gentle gradients, but anything more than that, and you can forget it.
The other issue is where exactly you can ride it.
The footpath is definitely not suitable - it would be way too dangerous.
While technically classed the same as an electric bike, the distributors are currently talking to the National Transport Authority about whether it can officially be used in cycle lanes.
In the meantime, the only other option is the road.
In theory that leaves the user no more exposed than the average cyclist.
But I'm not sure how I'd feel competing with trucks, buses and SUVs in heavy traffic on an e-skoot.
Another grey area awaiting clarification from CIE is whether they are welcome on public transport.
While inclement wet, windy or icy weather could also pose a significant problem for users.
Apparently, these electric scooters are hugely popular in parts of Asia - and I can certainly see the attraction.
They are efficient, green, cheap to run and lots of fun.
And ranging in price from €750-1150 for the three different models, they don't cost the earth.
But is Ireland ready for them yet?
Possibly, but not certainly.
Comments welcome via Twitter to @willgoodbody
