Would you like something more adventurous than your current Subaru -- something less constrained? Consider the Suba-roo, a future
form of transportation that resembles a mechanical kangaroo complete with tail, hopping humans
around wherever they want to go. The Suba-roo is Subaru’s entry into the L.A.
Auto Show’s design challenge, which this year asked automakers to look to
nature for innovations in transportation.
The Suba-roo Active Lifestyle Partner is a “personal mobility vehicle” that aims to “change the man-vehicle relationship in a revolutionary way,” says Subaru. The L.A. Auto Show asked for entries for this year’s show which focused on biomimicry and mobility, so Subaru’s creative engineers got to work and came up with the Suba-roo. It uses gyro technology to stay standing and balanced, as well as real-world technology from KERS, or a kinetic recovery system, based on Formula One cars.
In Formula One racing, cars can use regenerative power from braking to drive through KERS technology. It works by storing energy generated during breaking in either a flywheel, for mechanically stored energy, or in a battery, for electronically stored energy. The system was tested in 2008 by Formula One teams and were first used in 2009 in races. A "gentleman's agreement" fobade the use of KERS technology in 2010 but it came back in 2011, with limits. Next year Formula One will allow cars to be outfitted with much larger KERS technology that can generate twice as much power, so this might become a force in the sport.
Formula One racing is dominated by just a few racers and teams, although there are many more racers and teams involved in the sport. It’s very difficult to win if you’re not at the lead already and passing is extremely difficult and dangerous. Rally racing is almost the exact opposite from Formula One and is the area where Subaru really excels.
All that could change, of course, if Suba-roo racing is the next great motor sport.
Don’t forget to join Subaru today for a live stream of the
L.A. Auto Show for the unveiling of the new WRX at noon!
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