Fit for a Prince

Earlier this year we had a visitor to remember at Bristol Robotics Laboratory: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Prince William was visiting the University of the West of England’s Frenchay campus to learn how robotics and new technology are helping people live better with greater independence. He met Supersmith co-founders Tom and Emily Morgan, heard why we created the 3Scooter — and, of course, took it for a spin.

Putting the 3Scooter through its paces

The Prince was introduced to the thinking behind our three-wheeled design and its self-stabilising technology. Three wheels make the 3Scooter light, compact and easy to manoeuvre through tighter spaces, while our EverLevel™ system is designed to help the rider remain stable and upright across corners, cambers and uneven ground.

After watching a demonstration, Prince William stepped aboard and tried the 3Scooter for himself.  It was a moment that went on to appear across BBC News and BBC regional channels, National Press and HELLO!, The Independent and other national and specialist media. More importantly, the coverage helped put a much bigger subject in front of millions of people: how thoughtful design and technology can create a safer, more positive and more enjoyable experience of mobility.

Changing how mobility feels

The 3Scooter began with a personal story. Tom’s sister was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early thirties, and their family saw both how essential mobility products can be and how often the experience of using them falls short.

That experience led our founders to ask a different question. What if a mobility scooter could offer more than a practical way to get from A to B? What if it could help people feel more secure, confident and more connected to the world around them?

The 3Scooter is designed to reduce the risk of tipping, while giving its rider a higher seating position, so you can ride at eye level. Now that we’ve launched the 3Scooter this is one of the main benefits we hear reported back at our test ride experiences. As one of our test rides told us  ‘Being at eye level means I don't have to stare through people or miss seeing things. 10/10’.

As Tom explained during the visit, mobility scooters play an important role in enabling people to leave home and enjoy the world. But stigma and uninspiring design can sometimes stop people embracing them. Supersmith exists to change that experience.

Bristol innovation with a human purpose

The royal visit also shone a light on the extraordinary work taking place across Bristol Robotics Laboratory, a partnership between UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol. Supersmith have been supported greatly by the incubator in Future Space. It’s a place a buzz with innovation - the start of our journey, our HQ and once of the locations you can visit to give the 3Scooter a try.

A memorable milestone

Seeing the Prince of Wales riding the 3Scooter was a proud and slightly surreal moment for everyone at Supersmith. The response that followed, from national news coverage to the many messages, comments and personal stories people shared with us made it even more meaningful.

We are grateful to The Prince of Wales for taking such a genuine interest in the 3Scooter, and to UWE Bristol, the University of Bristol, Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Future Space for creating such a supportive home for ambitious, purpose-led innovation.

The royal test ride may have lasted only a few minutes, but it helped move an important conversation forward and put us on the map. 

Discover the Supersmith 3Scooter and find out what makes it different. Book your test ride here