Shibaura Institute of Technology shows off 'robo-skateboard'
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 3rd 2010 10:55PM
posted April 3rd 2010 10:55PM
Not satisfied with a simple electric skateboard? It seems like some researchers at Japan's Shibaura Institute of Technology weren't either, and have been busily working on this so-called "robo-skateboard" for the past little while. Like some DIY efforts we've seen, this one uses a Segway-like mechanism to let you ride it by simply pressing down on the front or back and turn by leaning left or right, although it apparently tops out at a mere six miles per hour. It also weighs a whopping 33 pounds, which explains the retractable luggage-like handle for carrying it around, and it's apparently been quite a significant investment for the institute -- considering that the researchers are hoping to get the price down to ¥100,000 (or just over $1,000) by 2013, which is when they hope to bring it to market.
lol...why?
@jjasper123 shhh. you know that happens when you ask questions.
@NathanHeil yeah well... :)
@jjasper123 state of the art poser technology :)
...i want one!
@jjasper123 fersure. i guess they have to for reals be all having scateboards for the people that cant skate on their own.. anyways im pretty sure that this is very rediculous being the robotic skatebaord would probably cause many falls that wouldnt happen if there wasnt a robot controliing the skateboarder.
@emopoops Holy shit, I pray to god every night that you're a troll. One's grammar simply cannot be so horrible.
Pro-Tip: Don't try to do this on your ipad.
@New Reformation
What about if you put together TWO iPads like they did the Macbook Pros?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR9alRlsI9I
@abedinthehouse
and hey, with that price, you can me one of your own with a pair of iPads now, without waiting 3 more years.
@Alexpeegs
Reported.
It's an edgy segway... Kind of like a segway with gel in it's hair and a tshirt from hot topic... Or it's just stupid
If they can make the battery charge from you lugging it around, then it might do some good.
Or you can build one yourself for $300...
http://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-build-self-balancing-skateboardrobotsegway-/
States, cities, towns, etc -- start your meetings to discuss banning this device..it's unsafe!
What A Rebel
I'll prepare mydlef for a beating down at the skatepark once I get a hold of this.
You've only got about five years left to make a Hoverboard.
Mattel? Are you listening?
Hoverboard pls? Thx!
But, Will it Fart? Like iFart?
Japan, where invention is the mother of necessity.
Doorway openings foreseen to reduce 33% after the release of this device.
LOL, the acronym is SIT. or ShIT if you wanna differentiate from your favorite rump exercise.
Great, no i have two lines being wasted with ipad links! http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4154/twom.png
@JackBauer of course i meant "now"
I'm going to hold my breath, now.
Why do I get the feeling that the Chinese could make this for $100?
Wot? No USB?
Cool, That place is 5 minutes walk from my apartment. I wondered what they research there.
I can think of a few ways to save a buck in construction costs...
Stap a wii fit to a remote control car... Problem solved!
Of course, I don't think they should worry too much about construction costs, and instead concentrate on liability costs from all the clumsy nerds that end up buying them...