While watching the 2024 Olympics on TV, I kept seeing small remote-controlled Toyotas moving around the running-track infield. I googled to find out what they were doing out there.
NBC Olympics posted a story explaining how these remote-controlled cars are used to retrieve athletic equipment, such as rugby balls, hammer-throw balls, discus discs, and even javelins (a person has to stick these items in the cars). The story said such cars have been helpers in multiple Olympic games.
As I scrolled through the NBC story, looking at the photos, I was surprised to see a mini MINI Electric that was used for this purpose at the 2012 London Olympics. Maybe everybody but me knew about this, but I was astounded. Here's that photo:
I searched the image's source and found a Wall Street Journal video of these mini electric MINI Electrics motoring around. Here's a couple of images I grabbed from that video:
Unfortunately, these 2012 London Olympics R/C MINIs are modeled after an ICE MINI, not the 2009 MINI E, as you can tell by the inclusion of a hood scoop, which the MINI E correctly does not have.
NBC Olympics posted a story explaining how these remote-controlled cars are used to retrieve athletic equipment, such as rugby balls, hammer-throw balls, discus discs, and even javelins (a person has to stick these items in the cars). The story said such cars have been helpers in multiple Olympic games.
As I scrolled through the NBC story, looking at the photos, I was surprised to see a mini MINI Electric that was used for this purpose at the 2012 London Olympics. Maybe everybody but me knew about this, but I was astounded. Here's that photo:
I searched the image's source and found a Wall Street Journal video of these mini electric MINI Electrics motoring around. Here's a couple of images I grabbed from that video:
Unfortunately, these 2012 London Olympics R/C MINIs are modeled after an ICE MINI, not the 2009 MINI E, as you can tell by the inclusion of a hood scoop, which the MINI E correctly does not have.