I just rode this self-driving four-wheeled vehicle, and it's so fun I'm going to lose my step goals for the year

If you were to combine Professor X's wheelchair with a Tesla, you might end up with something like the Strutt ev1. This four-wheeled "personal everyday vehicle" is not only voice-controlled, but also has LiDAR and navigation built in, so you can simply speak to it and tell you where you want to go.

At CES 2026, I had a chance to take the Strutt ev1 for a spin, and it was fun enough for me to be tempted to give up my step goals for the year and just drive this thing everywhere — if I could afford it.

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At first glance, the ev1 looks kind of like a more modern version of a wheelchair; it has a seat in the middle and a wheel at each corner. However, it's also outfitted with a 360-degree sensor array, which includes LiDAR, cameras, and a combination of time-of-flight and ultrasonic sensors.

A small display on the right armrest shows a live view of what the Strutt's cameras are seeing; As I drove it around a crowded conference hall, the screen showed all the obstacles around me, and the Strutt would stop if I drove too close to anything.

Just below the display are the Strutt's controls; a small circular dial lets you turn and move the vehicle around. I especially liked that the display automatically turns into a backup camera if you drive in reverse.

The Strutt's obstacle avoidance is also used in its self-driving mode. You can program in destinations into the chair, and it will take you there automatically, being careful to not hit anyone or anything along the way. It even has voice controls, so you can tell it to "take me to the kitchen" or any other location.

The Strutt's four motors can power it at speeds of up to 7 mph (11.3 km/h), can carry a maximum payload of 350 lbs (160 kg), can climb hills as steep as 13-degrees, and ride over curbs up to 2 inches in height. Its 18.5Ah/592Wh battery is good for about 20 miles of range, and can be removed from the back of the chair for recharging.

Strutt is not positioning the ev1 as purely a mobility device for the differently abled, but rather one for anyone who wants to scoot around and have some fun. (In fact, the company is working on another model with fewer smart features so it can gain FDA approval).

Not surprisingly, the Strutt doesn't come cheap. You can preorder it for $5,299, but its regular price will run you $7,499. That's a lot to pay for fun.

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Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.

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