Scooter (Gobots)

Scooter is a fictional character in the Gobots toyline, and the subsequent "Challenge of the GoBots" cartoon. The character transformed into a motor scooter.

Challenge of the Gobots

Scooter was the Guardians’ resident inventor. He was highly intelligent, and equipped with an array of equipment that allowed him to hack into computers and the like. Scooter was also equipped with a hologram projector, allowing him to create illusions either to confuse enemies or provide himself with cover. He was unarmed, but briefly tried having blasters fitted in place of his hologram projector – however, he eventually realized the latter was more in tune with his personality, and switched back. He enjoys a friendly rivalry with fellow Guardian Turbo, joking about the stronger Guardian’s lack of intelligence. Since his arrival on Earth, Scooter has become good friends with the young human astronaut Nick Burns, finding him to be something of a kindred spirit. However, one thing they don’t have in common is that Scooter is a complete coward – Nick regularly has to coax his Gobot friend into action in tight situations. Scooter is simply the youngest Guardian in appearance, personality and voice.

Robo Machines

In the "Eagle comic", Scooter appears without introduction in the second story arc – having presumably been one of the volunteers recruited from Robotron by Ex-El. He served on board the Command Centre as a courier, and was left guarding the Security Forces’ base of operations when the other SF Robo Machines set off to battle Casmodon. However, he was persuaded to observe the battle more closely by the SF’s human ally, orphan Charlie Brampton. This meant leaving the Command Centre unmanned and unable to support the rest of the SF when the battle turned against them. Scooter (who again seemed to be unarmed, if a lot braver than his cartoon counterpart) narrowly avoided being killed by Cy-Kill, though indirectly helped drive Casmodon off when Charlie was captured and able to disable the Devil Invader from the inside.

Toy

Scooter’s toy was a re-release of the Machine Robo "Scooter Robo" figure. It was first issued by Tonka in 1983, and remained available throughout the production of the Gobots toy line. In the packages that predated the cartoon Scooter was labeled a renegade, not a guardian. Packages after the cartoon was released labeled the character a guardian. It was also released in Europe. In 1993, the figure was reissued as part of Bandai’s Robo Machines line.