Entrepreneur Allan (Al) R Thieme (born April 5, 1937, Bridgeport, Michigan) is credited with designing the first Power operated vehicle/scooter, the Amigo in 1968.

Thieme created the Amigo in his garage during the evening, while working by day as a plumber running his own plumbing and heating business. He built the Amigo for an immediate family member who was struggling with lost mobility due to multiple sclerosis.

Amigo Mobility International Inc is located in Bridgeport, Michigan and continues to manufacture USA-made and assembled products. Distributed worldwide, Amigo mobility products include both healthcare and commercial lines, active-lifestyle travel models, transportation services with powered patient-assist models and electric vehicle lifts to transport the Amigo.

e.Reference: www.myamigo.com; Congressional Record-Senate, S18836, November 4, 1977