Yeah, we've seen a
self-balancing unicycle before, but the brand new U3-X from Honda takes it to another level. A creepy-sterile, awesomely futuristic Honda level, to be precise. What makes the U3-X particularly interesting is it has the regular large wheel of a unicycle, but that wheel is actually made up of several small wheels in a series, which can rotate independently, meaning that the device can go forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, all being controlled with a simple lean. Honda credits its
ASIMO research for this multi-directional capability, though we're not sure we see it -- ASIMO is biped, after all -- but far be it from us to discredit an excuse to keep up the good work on the ASIMO front. Right now the "experimental model" of the U3-X gets a single hour of battery and weighs under 22 pounds, with a seat and foot rests that fold into the device for extra portability. No word of course on when the thing might make it to market, but Honda plans to show it off next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. A devastatingly short video of the U3-X in action is after the break.
posted Sep 24th 2009 12:27AM
This post sponsored by the number 8!
Thank you
how are numbers so ritch they can sponsor tv programs and stuff...and don't get me started on the letters....
P.S. i'd be freaken scare of falling off...unless they use wheeble technology: where you wable but don't fall down
Cool but not Segway Cool!
Seems to Me like they ripped off that french guy with His Unicycle self balancing thingamajig. or this guy: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/vancouver_engineer_invents_sel.html
' the hell? I was half expecting her to don a clown suit and start juggling.
Same here. I wonder how many face plants their female employees suffered before they perfected it. Still pretty cool though. The sideways movement looks like magic.
I thought that was a bottle opener...
I guess not.
Or is it?
i want one asap
Very interesting design. Looks pretty uncomfortable in my opinion and very hard to control.
Very hard to control? Pretty sure she was stationary and the camera just moved.
It just looks hard to control :)
What!? an ass-cart with no cup holders!
bolderdash
Will they make an American version? (Higher weight limit?)
based on your picture, i think this is the right model for you. :-|
or perhaps, you're the perfect model for it?
:-|
Yes. The new model will feature training wheels (for increases stability), a direct line to Pizza Hut, cup holders, a TV, and a roller deck with "20 reasons why my weight problem is NOT my fault."
Expect the new models to available at a McDonald's near you...
@sintricate
Based on your comment, i'd say you ditch that avatar and this segway, and get on some exercise and diet plan ASAP! OR just wait for one that has a higher weight limit, if you don't want my advice.
Wow another joke on American's weight. How original? *yawn*
Instead of creating crap like this that goes 5 miles/per hour why don't we all just walk. Hell I can walk faster than this thing goes.
Advertise this:
http://calacanis.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/2008_0601.jpg
But you get this instead:
http://crookedhouse.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ecc66978833011570b3b05e970b-500wi
Proliferation of "personal mobility devices" is a really bad idea.
i don't want to ride on a giant version of my flash drive...
That's what she said... but she did it anyway.
This gets rid of my biggest gripe with the Segway-having to stand up! Standing while moving is for suckers!
Seriously though, this would be perfect for people who commute to work, but don't go very far for lunch destinations. Just keep U3-X in your trunk and zoom on over to a spot nearby. You can save a lot of gas by not having to drive in stop and go traffic during lunch hours.
I can't tell by watching this video, but I think it might need some more power. And lets be honest, here in america that seat will need to be bigger also.
Just the thing for that immobile person with perfect posture.
At last! my GizmoDuck suit is complete!!
Interesting. I hope they have some leg straps or something though. I wouldn't want to drive that thing if I had to hold onto my seat like that. It'd be a big plus if you had freedom to do other things with your hands.
...like answer your phone?
This is an awesome piece of technology. It can take personal mobility to a whole new level. It address many issues with Segways like size and portability. If somehow it's weight can reduced to less than 10 pounds and it is made more compact people can carry it in their bags and use it whenever required.
Of course the best solution would be if someone came up with something that could fit beneath any pair of regular shoes (or replace shoes), works like motorized skates whenever needed, with the balancing capabilities of Segway and directional capability of the above mentioned Honda Personal Mobility Vehicle and extremely light weight would change personal mobility FOREVER.
wat
...until the batteries run out.
you do realize that standing for long periods of time is more tiring and difficult than walking, when you are just standing there (on motorized skates) your legs would have constant pressure on them instead of the slight moment of rest your legs get when they are stepping forward. back when I worked at subway i realized how much just standing there was hurting my legs, so I started walking around.
is good to know she prefers to be on top.
Wow, it's almost as fast as walking, with the added expense of buying a weird looking device you'll need to carry around with you when you go someplace they don't allow motorized vehicles.
The federal government will take 5 million of them!
I think the ASIMO heritage of this is from the balancing tech
finally the ASIMO can stopped being picked on at Robot Club. The ultimate evolution of robot kind isn't feet...it's the Uni-Wheel! All the cool bots have them.
Finally, we can finally have some respectable robot overlords.
By the look on her face it seems as though it does a little more than move her around.
does it come with a manual tranny? xD
Haha +1...
I was thinking along the same lines as you--except I was thinking that this was Japan's answer to the Sybian
I might buy something like that, but I can tell you I would definitely buy her flowers and take her out on a date!
(the girl in the picture)
and I can tell you that she would turn you down
(the girl in the picture)
(like we didn't figure that out)
"Fuck you ass hole." ;-)
1hr battery life?? better be sure of how much charge you have left.. otherwise you're gonna be lugging 22lbs back to wherever you started from...
will this eventually replace the wheelchair and those scooters for the handicap?
I don't think so, iirc disabled (paralyzed) people won't be able to use it because they can't balance themselves (at least if they are disabled from mid-torso down). That said, who knows if they will develop some miracle method of control for paralyzed people. You never know what these japanese people come out with next!
badass!
I just love the 90lb. models they use for these things...
You guys wanna know what really makes her stay put? Reminds me of Mr. Garrison's design...
THANK YOU! Until I saw the fold-out cheek catchers, I was thinking that the Japanese sex toy industry was trying to break the record for world's largest butt plug.
I don't understand what's rotating... I can't see anything that looks like a tire/wheel that spins.. . what's going on here?!??!???
Wow, someone managed to top the Segway for how much it makes you look like a tool when using it
Honda never said it would be released in its current form. If anything they will just see if it is well received by the public at the Tokyo Motor Show, which I am sure it will be because its something innovative and new. If investors like it, expect Honda to find a way to make the technology useful, whether it's used for a new robot or wheelchair. I don't see it as competition for the Segway since the wheels are too tiny for outdoor use.
guaranteed to provide a maximum loss of dignity!
I thought it might be a new Sybian.
The Mobile Sybian - For your mobile masturbatory pleasure.
It looks pretty good, especially the abilty to go sideways. Though I look at this and think the one from the Polish guy has more potential. It's easier to build, goes faster, it's cheaper and probably easier to ride. Going sideways is nice, but you might drift of course quite easy I think.
Great !
The power of the technology is truly amazing.
I think they will soon reach the point where they can attach bio-mecanical moving sticks to the hips of people to make them move forward.
I'm glad I live in the future.
Actually "the future" hasn't happened yet and never will because we are always in the present and slightly in the past but NEVER in the Future.
whatever happened to the convention of putting things to hold onto in front of the person?!
Basic rule of thumb.
If your product makes the user look like an IDIOT when they use it, no matter how cool the technology, it will fail. The segway failed on a mass marketing basis just because you look like a nimrod riding one.
Segway Failed? Why cause Bush couldn't ride one and he's the only one who looks like a nimrod whilst riding, that I understand but FAIL, nah just wrong marketing....
back to the drawing board Honda.
and here i am using my legs like a sucker
Those japanese and their crazy sex experiences, to think we missed it all before we had internet.
The Yike Bike is way cooler but no doubt way more expensive - http://www.yikebike.com
I like this idea better. Yike Bike FTW!
Notice the Yike Bike was shown on the street and sidewalk. That big wheel helped manage the real world.
This thing has a bunch of tiny wheels mounted in that big circular thing on the underside. I suspect that anything more challenging then industrial carpet would result in a face plant.
Of course, run the yike into a curcb and see what happens...
Yike thing would kill a user within a week when used outside.
At least this one you won't try to use outside.
Does this unicycle make my thighs look fatter?
I love innovation but this isn't made for the average person. You know someone who doesn't have a clown license or raised in the circus.
That chick looked so uncomfortable. ps the camera moved instead of her to show turning...wtf?
I'll wait for the version you can drive without clutching your buttocks.
This is just what I need to get me to and from my treadmill.
I'd like to ride one of these on top of a Segway for double the coolness.
Damn. Honda with all of it's kick-assedness couldn't run this vid through a comb filter first?
The ride looks really awkward, and I suspect uncomfortable for more than a minute or two.
Slap a La-Z-Boy recliner on the damn thing. Until then it ain't 'US (Fat Ass) Ready'. ; P
This is ridiculous.
As if Segways didn't make people lazy enough now they can sit down on a wheeled device resembling a penis.
Thank you, Honda, thank you for never failing to surprise me with the most foolish ideas in your cars and concepts.
I pray that there is a seat under that, or that would be a serious PITA to ride for long periods!
I'd hit it.
Actually, I have muscular dystrophy and standing for long periods IS uncomfortable. I've used a Segway and really like it for the distance you can cover quickly, but it does wear out my leg muscles. I always thought a Segway that I could sit on would be perfect. Granted, this is a prototype, but it comes really close to implementing that concept...basically a motorized stool (pardon the reference to Mr. Garrison's design :-).
Now if they can only make something that doesn't look hideous, can handle 6' 200# person, and won't cost more than a car. Dare we dream?
Check out Focus Designs' response: http://focusdesigns.com/2009/09/29/hondas-u3-x-versus-the-sbu/
This is ideal for navigating the billiard-table smooth world in which I live.