Axl & Rusty
Best friends, travelling companions and a surprisingly effective exploration team. AXL asks questions, investigates, experiments and builds. RUSTY sniffs things.
Together, they explore, investigate, experiment, get things wrong, try again and discover that one good question usually leads to another.
The adventure wouldn’t be the same without either of them.
Meet AXL
Explorer. Experimenter. Builder. Question asker.
AXL is curious about almost everything.
He loves being outdoors, exploring unfamiliar places and discovering how the natural world works.
If he finds something unusual, he wants to know what it is.
If something doesn’t work, he wants to know why.
If something could work better, there’s a good chance he’ll try to build or improve it.
AXL doesn’t always know the answer.
That’s rather the point.
He observes, records, investigates, experiments, builds, tests and learns from what happens next.
For AXL, “I don’t know” isn’t the end of a question. It’s where the interesting part begins.
AXL at a Glance
Happiest Outside.
AXL loves technology, engineering and building things.
But some of his favourite discoveries aren’t things anybody built at all.
Forests, oceans, rocks, weather, plants, animals and the countless systems operating throughout the natural world fascinate him.
He doesn’t see nature simply as a backdrop for an adventure.
It’s something to observe, understand, respect and protect.
AXL would much rather stop and investigate an unusual plant, animal track or rock formation than walk past it because it wasn’t part of the original plan.
For AXL, exploration isn’t about conquering somewhere.
It’s about understanding it.
AXL’s Exploration Gear
AXL doesn’t carry equipment just because it looks cool.
Everything has a purpose.
His backpack contains a carefully chosen set of exploration essentials for navigating, observing, recording, communicating, staying safe and dealing with the unexpected.
Some are tools he uses regularly. Others may spend most of their time packed away – but if something goes wrong, the weather changes, a mission runs longer than expected or he finds himself further from help than planned, he’ll be glad they’re there.
AXL can’t know exactly what he’ll discover before he sets out, so preparation matters.
These are his core exploration essentials. When a particular mission requires something more specialised, he can add the equipment needed for the job.
Curious enough to explore. Prepared enough to do it properly.
Exploration Headset
Much more than headphones.
AXL’s exploration headset helps him observe, record, automatically tag discoveries with location data, communicate when needed and review what he’s captured later.
Compass
Simple. Reliable. Essential.
Batteries can run out and signals can disappear. AXL carries a compass because knowing which direction he’s heading never stops being useful.
Notebook
Not everything needs a screen.
AXL uses his notebook for observations, sketches, measurements, questions, ideas and anything else worth remembering while he’s exploring.
Camera
Observe now. Look closer later.
AXL documents places, objects and discoveries so he can examine details again, compare what he finds and keep a visual record of each expedition.
Satellite Phone
Safety first. Always.
When normal mobile coverage isn’t available, AXL’s satellite phone gives him a reliable way to call for help or communicate in an emergency.
WATER FLASK
Exploration starts with the basics.
AXL always carries drinking water. Whether a mission lasts an hour or much longer than expected, staying properly hydrated comes first.
first aid kit
Ready for the unexpected.
Cuts, scrapes and minor injuries can happen anywhere. A compact first aid kit means AXL can deal with small problems before they become bigger ones.
FIRE STARTER KIT
A small kit with an important job.
A compact fire starter and waterproof tinder can provide warmth, light and an emergency signal if AXL ever finds himself outside longer than planned.
EMERGENCY BIVVY
Tiny pack. Serious backup.
Lightweight and compact enough to stay in his backpack, an emergency bivvy gives AXL basic shelter and protection if he unexpectedly has to remain outdoors overnight.
EMERGENCY FOOD
Just in case the mission runs long.
AXL keeps a small supply of high-energy food in his pack for the occasions when an expedition takes longer, goes further or becomes considerably more complicated than expected.
SPARE SOCKS
Small thing. Big difference.
Wet feet can quickly become uncomfortable and cause problems on a long expedition. AXL keeps a clean, dry pair packed away just in case.
RUSTY’S SNACKS
Explorers need fuel too.
AXL always carries a small supply of food and treats for RUSTY, especially when they may be away from SEEKER or camp for several hours.
METAL COOKING CUP
Boil it. Heat it. Drink from it.
A lightweight metal cup can heat water, warm simple food and double as a drinking cup.
MULTI-PURPOSE KNIFE
One tool. Lots of jobs.
A compact folding multi-purpose tool gives AXL a knife, scissors, screwdriver, spoon and other useful tools without filling his backpack with separate equipment.
UTILITY CORD
Small coil. Hundreds of uses.
AXL carries a compact length of strong cord for securing equipment, making repairs, tying things down, improvising shelter and solving unexpected practical problems.
PORTABLE POWER BANK
Backup power when it matters.
AXL carries a compact, rugged power bank to keep essential equipment working when he’s away from a reliable power source for longer than expected.
More Than Headphones
Built for exploration.
AXL’s headset is a piece of exploration equipment.
Combining several useful functions into something AXL can always have with him, it helps him capture information while he’s exploring and return to it later.
Observe
Listen to his surroundings and notice details.
Record
Capture voice notes, observations, ideas and interesting sounds.
Tag
Connect recordings with location and sensor information.
Communicate
Stay connected and exchange information when needed.
Review
Listen back, compare observations and think again about what he’s discovered.
For AXL, the headset is part field recorder, part communication system and part explorer’s notebook.
Built for discovery. Powered by curiosity.
What AXL Wears
Different job. Different gear.
Exploration can take AXL into very different situations.
Sometimes his everyday adventure gear is all he needs.
Sometimes a problem calls for something more specialised.
As the adventures continue, AXL’s clothing and equipment can change depending on what he’s trying to do.
But you won’t find future equipment revealed here before it appears in the story.
If AXL needs new gear, you’ll discover it when he does.
Explorer Outfit
AXL’s everyday adventure gear.
Practical, comfortable and ready for exploring, climbing, investigating and whatever else the next mission throws at him.
Additional outfits and specialist equipment will appear here as they are revealed during the adventures.
Meet Rusty
Companion. Explorer. Professional sniffer.
RUSTY is AXL’s loyal companion and best friend.
He’s curious, brave and remarkably good at noticing things.
- Sometimes it’s a sound.
- Sometimes it’s a smell.
- Sometimes it’s something AXL walked straight past because he was thinking about something else.
RUSTY has a way of finding the little clues that can suddenly become very important. His instincts often send the adventure in directions AXL wasn’t expecting.
He doesn’t need to understand every equation or engineering problem to be an important part of solving it.
He brings his own strengths to every mission, from sharp senses and boundless curiosity to an impressive determination to investigate absolutely everything.
And occasionally chaos.
Mostly useful chaos.
Rusty at a Glance
Different Strengths. Better Together.
AXL and RUSTY explore the same world very differently.
AXL asks questions, looks for patterns and tries to understand how things work. RUSTY experiences much more of the world through sound, scent and instinct.
Put those strengths together and they often notice far more than either of them would alone.
AXL Thinks
AXL’s first instinct is usually to understand what he’s looking at.
He observes, records and compares what he finds, then starts asking questions.
AXL investigates with curiosity, evidence and a lot of questions.
Together, They Investigate.
AXL might understand the problem.
RUSTY might be the reason they find it.
Sometimes AXL spots the clue. Sometimes RUSTY does.
Sometimes one of them notices something that sends the other in a completely different direction.
AXL can investigate what RUSTY finds. RUSTY can lead AXL towards things his eyes, equipment or assumptions might have missed.
Neither of them needs to be good at everything.
That’s what makes them such a good team.
Sometimes AXL leads. Sometimes RUSTY leads.
Sometimes neither of them has the slightest idea what’s happening.
Those are often the interesting bits.
Rusty Notices
RUSTY doesn’t investigate the world the way AXL does.
He doesn’t need a notebook, camera or compass to notice that something has changed.
RUSTY explores with senses, instinct and an extremely determined nose.
Best Friends First
AXL and RUSTY aren’t simply two characters assigned to the same missions.
They’re best friends.
They explore together, look out for one another and have learned that being good at different things makes them a stronger team.
AXL doesn’t need RUSTY to think like AXL.
RUSTY definitely doesn’t need AXL to think like RUSTY.
They trust each other anyway.
Rusty Moments
Because not everything goes according to plan.
Every adventure has important discoveries, difficult problems and unexpected mysteries.
And then there are…
Rusty Moments.
Every episode ends with a RUSTY Moment – one last chance for RUSTY to remind us that even serious exploration doesn’t have to be serious all the time.
What Makes an Explorer?
AXL and RUSTY approach the world very differently.
But they have something important in common.
Curious
Asks questions.
Wants to know more.
Observant
Notices details.
Nothing is ignored.
Investigative
Looks closer.
Tests ideas.
Learns.
Persistent
Doesn’t stop because it’s difficult.
Respectful
Understands.
Protects.
Cares.
You don’t need a laboratory. You don’t need to know everything.
You don’t even need AXL’s backpack.
You just need to be willing to wonder what happens next.
Get to Know Them as the Adventure Continues
AXL and RUSTY’s story has only just begun.
As they explore, experiment and discover more, you’ll get to know more about them too.
Ready to Join Them?
Start at the beginning and follow AXL and RUSTY as the adventure unfolds.
There are questions to answer, mysteries to investigate and an entire world waiting to be explored.
The adventure continues here.