F1 Engineers Have Designed A Push Scooter With A Build ‘Worthy Of A Race Car’

Image via Red Bull Racing / PR Newswire

Picture a push scooter that accelerates like a race car, carves corners with keen precision, and sports a price tag that could buy you a decent used motorcycle. That’s the reality of the RBS#01, the brainchild of a team of leading F1 engineers who weren’t satisfied with existing scooters, so they poured 2,500 hours into creating a ground-up mobility vehicle alongside Red Bull Engineering.

One might expect an F1-boosted scooter to contain some kind of electric motor, but the RBS#01 remains refreshingly human-powered. With that, the F1 influence is evident in the use of high-quality materials and an emphasis on lightweight construction.

Image via Red Bull Racing

Taking cues from the high-performance world of Formula One, the design team built the RBS#01’s chassis primarily from lightweight carbon fiber. This not only sheds weight for impressive acceleration but also brings forth incredible performance characteristics.

Image via Red Bull Racing

And instead of suspension, the designers opted for oversized karting tires, ensuring grip even at high speeds.

Image via Red Bull Racing

The designers have additionally forgone suspension, opting instead for a rigid frame that provides the rider with a direct connection to the road, much like a Formula One car.

For a touch of electric excitement, the RBS#01 originally housed a hidden 750W electric motor generating 80Nm of torque, powered by a 760Wh battery tucked neatly inside the deck.  However, in keeping with current production models, the final version relies on good old-fashioned human power for propulsion.

The commitment to featherweight design is clear throughout the RBS#01. As the only electric scooter on the market with a full carbon fiber chassis, it tips the scales at a mere 50.7lbs. This, combined with its electric motor (though presently not in production models), delivers a power-to-weight ratio “worthy of a race car,” according to its makers.

For a finishing touch, all cabling is routed internally through the single-sided carbon steering column, giving the RBS#01 a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that screams high-performance.

Image via Red Bull Racing

To ensure this F1-inspired machine could handle the real world, Oracle Red Bull Racing put the RBS#01 through a battery of tests, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations and real-world drop tests, jump tests, and free fall tests. The result? The RBS#01 emerged with a surprising durability rating, able to withstand a whopping two tons of weight and 3G of force.

So, is the RBS#01 the ultimate urban commuter? With a price of US$6,500, it’s unlikely to replace your average rental scooter. But for those who love flashing their need for speed, the RBS#01 might be right up your alley. 

[via Forbes and HiConsumption, images via Red Bull Racing]