roo has already come a long way
roo is young. roo is small, and – physically at least – will remain small too. Because roo is the smallest electric-powered vehicle for one person, with a safety belt and roof as well, making it something you’ve never seen before: a new, original type of vehicle. We want roo to sustainably change urban mobility throughout the world. Short and medium distances in urban zones that were previously covered in cars or on public transportation can in future be driven in a CO2-neutral way that’s also enormous fun – without a helmet, protected from the wind and weather, and no need to worry about traffic jams or lack of parking spaces. And roo first saw the light of day in 2015. But one thing at a time…
Zurich University of Applied Sciences launches a research project in 2014, the question being: “How will we be travelling in 15 years’ time?” With a team of 10 researchers, we use a study to develop the so-called “BICAR” – the predecessor of today’s roo. BICAR is an urban vehicle with a speed of 30 km/h, powered by electricity and protected from the weather. And the intention is that BICAR should be part of a sharing concept – as you may recall, sharing scooters weren’t yet available in towns and cities at that time. There’s great interest from companies, cities and the press at international trade exhibitions: indeed, so great and motivating that in 2016 we (Adrian Burri and Hans-Jörg Dennig) found Share your BICAR AG as a spin-off from Zurich University of Applied Sciences and develop the idea until it’s ready for the market.
Hurrah, the baby’s growing!
It’s fortunate that our project and our passion for sustainable mobility (as the two “parents”) doesn’t have to wait long for investors. Just two years after the original idea, our team grows to eight people in 2017.
roo passes a crucial test
The time has finally arrived in June 2019: BICAR can be driven! Indeed, so well and so safely that just one year later it reaches another milestone: BICAR is authorized for use on the roads in 2020. BICAR can now be driven at 45 km/h in the “three-wheeled motor vehicle” class, and users can conveniently “buckle up” without having to wear a helmet. It’s evident that the agencies responsible really enjoy this innovative vehicle too. So now it’s also possible to drive BICAR on the streets! Further investors have faith in the big idea with this small vehicle and climb aboard.
BICAR is now roo
Fast forward to today, and BICAR’s growing pains as a teenager are a thing of the past. We’re now making this young talent fit for global markets. With a new design, enhanced vehicles, a new name, logo and image, we’re underlining the fact that we’re now an international company and have huge ambitions with the newly christened roo. Next year we’ll be starting a commercial pilot project with the first (around 100) sustainably manufactured roos. And by 2030, the intention is that 150,000 roos should be on the roads, providing lots of driving fun. In addition to Switzerland and the rest of Europe, this will above all apply to cities in India and the USA. Are you also looking forward to the day when roo becomes part of the streetscape? Safe journey, little roo!
Would you like to become a pilot partner for roo as well? Or are you interested in having a stake in this ecologically and economically sound investment? If so, please contact us and become part of the movement.