Engadget's wild ride in the P.U.M.A.

Against all odds, GM and Segway let us inside their precious P.U.M.A. prototype, and we went for a quick jaunt down 18th St. We couldn't drive it, unfortunately, but there was plenty of action to be had from the passenger side. Starting from a rest on four wheels -- the main powered wheels and the front two "safety" wheels; we never touched the back two to the ground -- the contraption shoves itself up onto two wheels quite gracefully, with the passenger compartment moving slightly independently from the wheelbase and floor. It was a bit odd, but not at all unpleasant, and we were soon zipping down the road. Since the P.U.M.A. is self-balancing, we felt way less force when accelerating and decelerating than we would in a car, since our body was being "leaned" into it instead of pulled along. Turning on a dime is quite fun as well, and we could see this thing making itself quite at home on city streets. While it remains to be seen if GM and Segway can commercialize this in time, and for the right price, we're fairly enamored -- at least it's something different, and it's already twice as interesting as Segway ever managed to be.

Camera work and moral support courtesy of Autoblog Green's Sebastian Blanco.

Gallery: Engadget's wild ride in the P.U.M.A.

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[7egend @ Apr 7th 2009 2:08PM]

Fugly.

[chispito @ Apr 7th 2009 2:12PM]

Looks better than a Kia.

[Kamokazi @ Apr 7th 2009 2:18PM]

Yeah...just like a Segway, you still look like a complete goober while riding it.

And I still want one.

[CraigJ @ Apr 7th 2009 2:40PM]

I don't care what it looks like. The tech is way cool.

Sebastian Blanco needs a new camera or need lessons on how to use the one he has.

[Luke @ Apr 7th 2009 3:18PM]

I have two questions

1) Why not save money and make it four wheels, save all the money for the needed gyroscopes to keep everything balanced and make the steering like a tank where each set of wheels can be powered independently, to turn tight corners. I am probably missing something obvious with this question, but thought I would ask.

2) Two dudes cramped next to each other is not that greatest marking. I dunno, do a male female couple at least. It just looks awkward.

[bangladeshiluv @ Apr 7th 2009 3:23PM]

Disneyland called and they want their Haunted Mansion car back

[Ian @ Apr 7th 2009 4:00PM]

Yay, I've always wanted to roll like a paraplegic.

[rony @ Apr 7th 2009 4:06PM]

really? fix four laser blasters 2 on each side.......pew pew pew.

now that is something I would buy.

[d.pelkey @ Apr 7th 2009 4:36PM]

My tax dollars helped GM stay afloat so they could build this POS?!?!! This is your tax dollars at work...you paying to build something...ANDTHENPAYINGTOBUYITAGAIN!!!

[maveric101 @ Apr 7th 2009 4:41PM]

looks kinda like a giant stroller...

[CraigJ @ Apr 7th 2009 6:25PM]

@d.pellkey

Yeah, because I'm sure it only took them 3 months to design and build that...

Gawd I'm sick of this shit.

When GM kills the EV1 it's an oil company conspiracy and when they are doing innovative R&D it's a waste of taxpayer money (even though it's not) GM is not my favorite company, but for Dog's sake, quit yer bitchin'

[chrise524 @ Apr 7th 2009 6:28PM]

@Luke

It wouldn't be a Segway if it wasn't on two wheels.

[ImaYam @ Apr 7th 2009 6:49PM]

I like how the ad on the bus at the end of the vid says : "Need a lift?"

[rcappo @ Apr 7th 2009 7:40PM]

@ CraigJ

If they did some re-engineering of the EV1 and released it with a $20,000 price tag (which is still high), that would be something. They could sell that.

This might be a good redesign of the wheelchair, and would allow people in wheelchairs the ability to travel far distances. But, I don't see very much use for the average consumer, even in a big city with expensive parking.

[CraigJ @ Apr 7th 2009 7:54PM]

your points (unlike the person I was responding to) are good points. Just because they are showing off an experimental vehicle does not mean that the current implementation is what will be brought to market. The tech they are developing could find it's way into more "normal' cars.

[OneLove @ Apr 8th 2009 3:34PM]

Get ready P.U.M.A. racing on espn.

[BatteryAcid @ Apr 9th 2009 9:55PM]

@ Luke aside from the obvious cool factor there are a few reasons for going with two wheels. This allows that ill sliding mechanism to make acceleration and deceleration easier. It also allows less resistance turning on a dime. If you have ever watched a 4 wheeled vehicle with independently powered wheels for turning on a dime you will notice that when turning on a dime the vehicle shakes a lot and drags the 3 other wheels burning rubber and tearing up the surface beneath the machine. I know from experience skid steer loaders do this.

[Sam @ Apr 11th 2009 4:49AM]

@BatteryAcid -- if, and ONLY if, your wheels remain rigidly parallel with the major axis of the vehicle. If you allow each wheel to be independently steerable, then all the problems you cite disappear.

However, there is no doubt that two wheels and a gyroscope is _substantially_ simpler mechanically and lighter weight (read, more energy/fuel efficient) than a four-wheel, independent drive, independent steering system needed to compete. The only thing the latter might offer is a lower price-tag, but that's a short-term thing if there ever was one.

[Steven @ Apr 17th 2009 8:10PM]

@ OneLove

I would soo watch P.U.M.A. racing on espn

[ThreeDee912 @ Apr 18th 2009 5:31PM]

I have a feeling everyone is bashing this thing simply because it's made by GM. It's a prototype. What about all the crazy vehicle prototypes being made by Toyota in Japan?

[Phoenix @ Apr 21st 2009 6:40PM]

I wouldn't mind that. It would make my commute to work better and I wouldn't have to deal with as much BS as I do when searching for a parking space. The only downer is the low top speed. Well, c'est la vie.

[HyDeph @ Apr 7th 2009 2:08PM]

I WANT THIS

[Buis @ Apr 7th 2009 3:15PM]

but where would you put all the other stuff you want? It doesn't have any obvious luggage storage...

[NHAnimator @ Apr 7th 2009 3:27PM]

Where would you drive it? It won't be allowed on sidewalks and you'd die on the main roads.

[d.pelkey @ Apr 7th 2009 4:45PM]

BTW, i'm sure it's getting flamed on plenty but if you slapped an Apple on the front and called it the iCar the fanboys could stop riding in mom's minivan : )

[Temple @ Apr 7th 2009 7:17PM]

Segways aren't allowed on sidewalks in New York, this sure as hell won't either.

Absolutely useless you want to go on a joyride with your boyfriend.

[Kevin Galligan @ Apr 7th 2009 7:31PM]

Guys. It goes up to 35 mph. There's no reason it shouldn't be on city streets. People ride bikes on NYC streets all the time. this is far safer.

The problem in nyc is parking and charging. Riding wouldn't be an issue. I know they claim it needs to be in a bike lane, but you can ride in the street in manhattan. This thing would be great. Also, assuming they'd relax the parking rules, you could pull it in between plenty of spots with wasted space.

[Temple @ Apr 7th 2009 8:35PM]

35 mph top speed is absolutely useless if you're on the main road. It means that its a lot slower up to 35 mph, and you will be moving slower then most traffic. Taxi drivers and city motorist aren't the most patient people around.

You're more likely to get beeped at or side-swiped driving that thing.

[Information Central @ Apr 15th 2009 12:03AM]

"Absolutely useless you want to go on a joyride with your boyfriend."

And you're a guy.

[sandervantulden @ Apr 7th 2009 2:11PM]

Smooth...

[Information Central @ Apr 15th 2009 12:03AM]

Unlike the camerawork. Here's a clue: Put the camera on a tripod, not an epileptic.

[Eddy Munn @ Apr 7th 2009 2:11PM]

Chances are it won't be road legal in the UK.

[r3loaded @ Apr 7th 2009 2:30PM]

Hopefully, Boris Johnson, for all his quirks, will endorse these for London's streets :)

[Jibaro009 @ Apr 7th 2009 2:41PM]

Leave that to TopGearr

[mitt @ Apr 7th 2009 2:52PM]

yeah boris would love this, i can just see him zipping around in one. he might well try and do something to help get this road legal when/if it comes to the uk

[go seki @ Apr 7th 2009 5:35PM]

@Jibaro009 : How hard could it be?!
I can see the lads .. you have 50quid to build your own two person electric wheelchair .. now how fast will it go round our track .. for this we need to hand it over to our tame racing driver .. Some say he has no feeling below the waist and that his feet never touch the ground all we know is he's not The Stig, he's Grandad Stig!

[Jamie Kephalas @ Apr 21st 2009 4:29AM]

Something alot of people forget is, it doesn't cost much to make something road legal over here (uk).

You can buy kits which include number plates, indicators and brake lights, whack a decent LED headlight on and get some insurance! Being a leccy vehicle it'll most likely fall under free road tax also! :-)

Think of it like this. If someone can make a sofa, with a pizza for a steering wheel road legal then why can't this. :D

[a ham sandwich @ Apr 7th 2009 2:11PM]

aw its cute!

as long as they make it affordable, i guess...

[Draaaainage! @ Apr 7th 2009 2:49PM]

This will be the "next big thing" just like the segway was but they'll price it into the stratosphere so that normal people won't have any interest in it.

My guess is that it will come in, in price, right between a Hyundai Accent and an Elantra. Totally unjustifiable to the average person.

[Barry @ Apr 7th 2009 2:15PM]

Wouldn't the whole thing just roll end over end if you slammed on the brakes?

[krische @ Apr 7th 2009 2:28PM]

No, because the cabin leans backward to stop. Plus there are those "training wheels" in the front.

[Flaystus @ Apr 7th 2009 2:13PM]

I like to call it the warthog!

[Kamokazi @ Apr 7th 2009 2:20PM]

Yeah, I mean what kind of made up animal is a Puma anyway...kinda like that chippa-thingy....what's that called Simmons?

[a ham sandwich @ Apr 7th 2009 2:31PM]

+1 for both

[Tiptup300 @ Apr 7th 2009 2:42PM]

Chuppacobra sir!

[Deeznuts420 @ Apr 7th 2009 2:46PM]

+1000 for reference

[BlurMagic @ Apr 7th 2009 3:12PM]

-1000 for being an idiot.

See: Chupacabra

[Dustin @ Apr 7th 2009 7:35PM]

rooooosterteeeeeth!!!

[El Taco @ Apr 8th 2009 12:01AM]

thank god I wasn't the only one to think of that.

[Sam @ Apr 11th 2009 5:22AM]

You mean, chupacabra?