Prince William quipped that four mph simply was not quick enough for him after taking a prototype mobility scooter for a spin at a Bristol research facility today.
The heir to the throne was testing the Supersmith 3Scooter, an innovative three-wheeled vehicle featuring patented self-stabilising robotic technology, when he made the light-hearted remark to its creators.
The scooter, designed for both indoor and outdoor use, is scheduled to hit the market this spring.
The Prince of Wales visited Bristol Robotics Lab on Thursday, where researchers demonstrated how cutting-edge technology is being developed to help elderly and disabled individuals maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.
Prince William jokes four mph mobility scooter ‘not fast enough’
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During his tour of the facility, William was introduced to three different products: VIVO body braces designed to promote independent living, the Supersmith mobility scooters, and Milbotix SmartSocks capable of monitoring health metrics, including heart rate.
The inspiration behind the Supersmith scooter came from a deeply personal place for Tom Morgan, the company's chief executive and co-founder.
Mr Morgan developed the design with his sister in mind, who lives with multiple sclerosis and has experienced frustration with mobility technology that failed to adequately address her requirements.
Her struggles with existing solutions drove him to create something that could genuinely improve the quality of life for people facing similar challenges with conventional mobility aids.
Prince William tried a mobility scooter at Bristol Robotics Laboratory | GETTYMr Morgan explained the rationale behind choosing three wheels over four, noting that the configuration allows for swift movement through confined areas and crowds whilst remaining lighter and more compact.
"The problem is that three wheels typically tip, and so what we've done is developed this robotic patented technology that when you're going around corners, it will gently lean you into the turn," he said.
"And when you're going over uneven ground or on a camber, which would typically tip you off, it helps keep you perfectly upright and stable and safe."
Bristol Robotics Lab operates as a collaborative venture between the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, situated at UWE's Frenchay Campus.
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Prince William was shown Isambard-AI, the UK's most powerful supercomputer | GETTYThe centre brings together more than 500 academics, researchers, students and entrepreneurs, serving as the birthplace for numerous robotic innovations.
Professor Darren Reynolds, pro-vice chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at UWE Bristol, said: "These start-ups are addressing societal challenges that will improve people's lives and power our economy."
He added that the Prince had witnessed first-hand the facility's community of tech-focused entrepreneurs reimagining the future through robotics and artificial intelligence.