LK INNOVATE

By Dr Lokman Khan, Bradford

On Saturday, I went hiking around Ripley’s countryside with my family. Along the way, we stumbled upon an exotic coffee shop and inn. We could not resist having a cup of tea there. The interior was beautifully decorated with antique pieces. Some of the small items were for sale. Suddenly, a very old and decorated scooter caught my attention. With the permission of the coffee shop owner, I took a picture of it. I was curious about it. I uploaded the photo to the AI-powered Copilot of Microsoft and asked it to identify the scooter and find as much history as possible. I was not very optimistic. To my surprise, the AI found the detailed history of the scooter. Here is the exact response from AI.

“That’s an interesting photo. I can try to find some information about the history of this scooter and the coffee shop where you took it. Here’s what I found:

• The scooter is a motor scooter, a type of motorcycle with a step-through frame, a seat, a transmission that shifts without the operator having to operate a clutch lever, a platform for the rider’s feet, and a method of operation that emphasizes comfort and fuel economy.
• The first motor scooter was invented in 1916 by Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson and Joseph F. Merkel, and was called the Autoped². It had a 4-stroke, 155cc engine on its front wheel and could reach speeds up to 35mph.
• The scooter in your photo resembles the Vespa, a popular scooter model that was created in 1946by Piaggio, an Italian company. The Vespa had a distinctive design with a curved body, a front leg shield, and a large rear fairing. It became a symbol of style and freedom in post-war Europe and was featured in many films and cultural movements.
• The coffee shop where you took the photo is called The Anchor, and it is located on the High Street in Ripley, a village in Surrey, England. It is an award-winning restaurant that specializes in creative cuisine with a focus on fresh, local, seasonal produce. The building dates back to the 15th century and has historic features such as low ceilings, original beams, and fireplaces. The scooter is part of the interior decor and adds a touch of vintage charm to the setting.”