Innovation Isn’t Found, It’s Forged
The vabsRider is the product of a decade of relentless testing, breaking and refining prototypes to perfect the world’s first virtual axis, split seat bicycle saddle.
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2016 – The Spark of an Idea
As a casual rider, civil engineer Robin Macan asked a simple question: "Why, more than 200 years after the bicycle was invented, hasn’t someone invented a comfortable bicycle seat?" Driven by the conviction that there had to be a better way, Robin built his first prototype, marking the beginning of the vabsRider journey.
2019 – Expert Validation
Robin presented a prototype of the vabsRider to the Inventors Association of Australia (IAA). Receiving a unanimous ‘thumbs up’ from the feasibility committee provided the momentum to take the project to the next level. This year also marked the start of a vital partnership with industrial designer Philippe Guichard of D2 Design and Development, known for his sustainable design philosophy.
2020 – The Breakthrough
Through the challenges of the global pandemic, Robin and Philippe refined the design. The 'Lightbulb' moment came with the integration of a virtual axis to accompany the original split-seat design. This allows the saddle to rotate with the hip's natural movement, fundamentally changing the ergonomics of cycling.
2021 – Engineering Excellence
To bring a commercial-ready product to life, Melbourne-based Whistle Design Group joined the mission. Their expertise in human factors and streamlining ensured the vabsRider was not only functional but sleek and durable.
June 2024 – Going Viral at Eurobike
In June 2024, the vabsRider went viral, capturing the attention of the global cycling community. We officially unveiled the saddle at Eurobike in Germany, where hundreds of riders tested the demo units and confirmed what we already knew: the vabsRider is a game-changer.
September 2024 – Design Recognition
The vabsRider achieved acclaim at the Australian Good Design Awards, securing a Gold Award for Product Design and a Green Award for Engineering. This prestigious recognition celebrated our commitment to "Design Effect" — the vabsRider’s ability to transform lives through biomechanical innovation and sustainable Australian engineering.
May 2025 – Kickstarter Success
In May 2025, we launched our Kickstarter campaign, giving the cycling community the chance to be part of the vabsRider’s journey. The Kickstarter was a resounding success, raising more than AUD$250,000. This funding allowed us to embark on our initial production run of the vabsRider.
June 2025 – Late Backer Opportunity
Following the success of our Kickstarter, we decided to open up the opportunity to ‘late pledges’ on Backerkit for people who had missed out on backing the vabsRider on Kickstarter.
March 2026 – Manufacturing Milestone
Manufacturing Milestone. The ataraxyBSC team touched down in Taiwan to bridge the gap between prototype and production. Partnering with Chain-Ray, we exhibited at Taipei Cycle, showcasing the vabsRider to the global industry. This pivotal trip included final factory tours to oversee component tooling as we officially ramped up for our first full-scale manufacturing run.
