London Olympics 2012

If you watched the London Olympics in 2012, there is a strong chance that, in the midst of the world’s greatest athletes, you saw Design Q’s handiwork. BMW, the official automotive partner of London 2012, entrusted our team with the creation of a fleet of remote-control Mini Coopers for use in the field events - retrieving discusses, javelins, hammers and shot. Design Q reworked digital data of the production Mini to create seven scaled down (almost quarter-scale) models. Designed to carry 8kg loads, each car had a custom-made aluminium chassis with moulded composite bodies adorned with realistic 3D printed details, including functioning headlamps. Powered by electric motors, the cars were used in rotation throughout the Olympics and Paralympics in four-hour shifts. The two lucky staff members assigned to provide technical support spent the duration of the Olympics trackside - rubbing shoulders with the likes of Usain Bolt who, between heats, enjoyed taking one of our Minis for a quick spin!