Bristol, UK 26th September 2023. Bo, maker and developer of the world’s most sophisticated urban micro-mobility vehicle, announces the move to production and confirms full launch specifications of the revolutionary Bo M, a new electric vehicle for city riders, which will offer the smoothest and most stable ride of any vehicle in its class.
Announced in 2022, the Bo M is now engineered for production with hundreds of design advancements to bring more performance, reliability and quality, all within a form that stays true to the Bo M concept revealed last year. With the final specification and production prototypes now complete, the Bo M showcases a focus on robust and intuitive features, designed in order to improve every journey. It utilises the unique Bo SafesteerTM technology to create a smooth and stable ride, combined with category-leading motor torque and power ratings, and functional innovations to deliver the most sophisticated riding experience.
Bo was founded by two engineers, formerly of Williams F1 Advanced Engineering, and a Jaguar Land Rover designer, giving the company a fundamental understanding of vehicle dynamics and manufacturing, which has been uniquely applied to the Bo M, the first product in a transformative range of Bo lightweight electric vehicles.
Bo co-founder and CEO Oscar Morgan said; “Moving to production is a momentous moment for our company. The entire Bo team has worked tirelessly with a common aim; to create a product that will consistently delight our riders. The team has been focused on developing game-changing features, like our Monocurve chassis with integrated Lock and Load hooks, and safety enhancements such as Safesteer™, whilst using our experience in automotive design to build visually exciting vehicles people feel proud to own and ride. We are excited to see the culmination of these efforts within the Bo M and I cannot wait for our first riders to take delivery of their M later this year”.
Following 24 months of development and engineering refinement, the Bo M enters production with a raft of technological features and advancements all designed to ensure every rider gets the maximum possible enjoyment from each journey. These improvements include a 100% increase in the chassis strength, and an increase in peak power output from 1000W to a category-leading 1200W. There has also been further developments with the lighting system, with a maximum headlight power increased to 800 lumens, the addition of automatic temperature control, as well as signature start up and power off light animations. The main chassis section has been retooled, increasing the width for improved ergonomics and battery capacity. This allows for extended range and an even more comfortable stance when riding.
Bo SafesteerTM
SafesteerTM technology is a world-first in micro-mobility vehicles, a dynamic steering stabilisation system developed by Bo to set the benchmark for control and inspire rider confidence. This patent-pending technology, fully integrated within the Bo chassis, assists and stabilises the steering through bumps, dips and potholes to keep the rider in perfect comfort and control. Novice and experienced riders often cite stability as their primary concern when riding over mixed terrain. Bo’s Safesteer™ technology gives a seamless, stable ride and builds confidence at every turn, allowing everyone to enjoy the ride.
SafesteerTM will deliver the smoothest and most stable ride while at the same time achieving a new benchmark in mechanical simplicity and reliability. The system is based on opposing force from a pair of bespoke wound torsion springs, housed within a unique Bo mechanism that delivers predictable steering correction up to a 50 degree turn angle. This system works to recreate the natural centering dynamic of a larger wheel and smooth the ride to give Bo riders an exceptional experience every time.
Monocurve Chassis and Design
Bo’s unique Monocurve chassis represents a foundational shift in vehicle design and engineering - the single greatest sector advancement since electric scooters arrived in our cities. Alongside strength and reliability, Bo M’s chassis has been designed to enable the integration of multiple sector-leading innovations without adding complexity for the user. Forged from high-strength aluminium, the chassis is revolutionary in the category. The intuitive, unbroken lines of the Monocurve chassis create the first unibody structure in this sector, designed to true automotive principles, seamlessly combining function with design. The design allows for the steering to be separated from the chassis, forming a robust mounting point for the Lock and Load cargo solution whilst also providing a strong and stable platform for Bo riders.
The precision engineering approach is equally evident on the Bo M’s geometry, which is optimised for stability and ergonomics. Technical features include a wider handlebar at 580mm, a generous 930mm wheelbase for more standing room and relaxed riding handling, and a 76 degree steering angle for naturally controlled dynamics.
Bo co-founder and CCO, Luke Robus said; “We believe in the pursuit of simplicity. From the early sketches to prototypes and through to these pre-production models, the M’s lines come together without complication. This is testament to the rigorousness of our first-class engineering team integrating all the technology we've packed into the M. Never cluttering, or getting in the way of the product's purpose, instead celebrating this new found simplicity with a design language you'll see in evidence across the range of lightweight EVs we have planned for the future”.
Lock and Load
Bo’s all new Lock and Load system is incorporated within the Monocurve Chassis and features dual purpose revolving hooks that act as both secure locking points for the vehicle as well as stable cargo carrying solution. With the hooks mounted through the core structure of the chassis, cargo of up to 10kg can be securely carried, negating the need to hang anything on the handlebars or risking bag swing disrupting the steering, increasing the safety, control and comfort of each ride. Additionally, the Lock and Load system is magnetically secured, so when not in use as a locking point or cargo loading, they can be spun 180 degrees and hidden within the steerer, preserving the clean lines of the chassis.
Airdeck
Introducing an intelligent, lightweight and invisible comfort system, the Airdeck, an engineered elastomer footpad, has been created from 11mm EVA anti-vibration foam based on the same material technology found in high performance running trainers. The lightweight deck panel is tuned to reduce road vibrations, removing the need for complex, heavy and largely ineffective suspension systems and increasing the riders comfort on longer rides by isolating the feet from any vibrations that result from the road surface.
Performance
Showcasing a blend of performance and elegance, the Bo powertrain features a high torque motor, providing a peak power output of 1200W and a top speed of up to 35 km/h (21 mph), with a battery capacity of 655Wh delivering a range of 50km. The Bo team is based out of Bristol, a famously hilly city in the UK, and ensuring impressive hill-climbing performance was a core requirement of the powertrain development programme. The bespoke high current electric motor has been optimised for mid-range torque, maximising efficiency across the broadest rpm-range possible, and the precision throttle map allows for excellent control of output of power and responsiveness. Tested on hills up to 22.5 degrees, this performance specification results in silent, controllable acceleration, with the necessary power to take on the most challenging of roads.
Braking
Bo M features a powerful, low maintenance braking system, with a regenerative e-brake located in the rear wheel, controlled by the left brake lever, adding energy back into the battery under braking and a front sealed drum brake controlled by the right brake lever. The two brake levers give the rider highly intuitive control over which brake to use and when, depending on the situation and the desired feel. They can choose to only use the strong and futuristic-feeling e-braking, or the front drum brake, or both if they need to stop quickly. This gives the rider full control when slowing and stopping and is simple and familiar.
Daytime Running Light (DRL)
With safety in mind Bo’s distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) wraps around the Monocurve chassis to create Light Halo, a world-first in the sector, which delivers 270-degree light visibility. This signature design dramatically increases road presence and awareness from other road users by ensuring both the Bo M and rider are visible from every angle. Complementing the Light Halo, a powerful headlight with up to 800 lumens from three temperature-controlled LED lights housed in an aluminium enclosure, illuminates the road ahead, while a wide-angle high-lumen rear light keeps riders visible from behind in all weathers, flashing brightly under braking.
Bo co-founder and CTO Harry Wills, said; "our rider research discovered the majority of people seldom or never fold their e-scooters, so we made a conscious decision to introduce the Bo M with an unbroken Monocurve unibody chassis and eliminate this source of weakness. We’ve packed the M with technology that enhances the rider experience, but tailored to exactly what is needed as a lightweight electric vehicle you can use every day. There are no superfluous gadgets or gizmos that can compromise reliability or detract from the riding experience”.
For further information and to reserve the Bo M, visit www.bo.world to find out more. Bo M is the first in a series of models, with more details to be announced in the coming months. First pre-order deliveries are due to start from November, with further units available from February 2024.
-Ends-
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About Bo
Bo [Bomobility], an award-winning pioneer in the global mobility industry, is dedicated to developing the best light electric vehicles on earth - revealed in 2022, this year sees the start of production of the highly-anticipated Bo M.
Headquartered in Bristol in the UK, Bo was founded in 2019 by a team of visionary designers and engineers with exceptional, multi-discipline expertise and singular insight from Formula OneTM Advanced Engineering to Luxury Automotive. The Bo team is passionately focused on creating uncompromising, disruptively innovative, elegantly simple, design and technology-rich transport solutions to empower a new generation to transform their cities and alleviate congestion and pollution. The senior leadership team is bolstered by world class advisors with experience growing multinational and globally recognised brands.
Technical Specification
RRP
£2,249
Shipping from:
February 2024
Where to buy:
Online from www.bo.world
Launching initially into UK, followed by USA
Motor peak power:
1,200W
Motor rated power:
500W
Motor torque:
over 30Nm
Top speed:
35kph
Max rider weight:
100kg
Vehicle weight:
22kg
Battery capacity:
655Wh
Range:
50km
IP Rating:
IP65
Active safety:
Safesteer(TM) steering stabilisation
Chassis:
Aluminium Monocurve
Tyres:
10x2.5" Pneumatic tyres
Deck:
Airdeck vibration attenuating deck, engineered elastomer.
Bag carrying / Locking:
Lock and Load hook system:
2x forged aluminium loop locking points
2x bag carrying hooks
Grips:
Silicone vibration-damping
Front headlight:
3x LED, 800 Lumen, Aluminium casing, automatic temperature control
Front daytime running light:
270 degree, 120 Lumen 99 LED array
Rear light:
60 Lumen 34 LED array, flashing brake light
Front brake:
Sealed drum brake, right-side brake lever,
Rear brake:
Regenerative e-brake with e-ABS, left-side brake lever,
Display:
LED Battery Level Indicator
Mous Intralock(TM) integrated phone mount system
Charge time:
<3hrs to 80%, Fast charger
App:
iOS and Android, Bluetooth
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