We just had a chance to go hands... er, rear-on with Honda's latest R&D experiment, the
U3-X Personal Mobility Device, and we've got the say -- it was a moving experience. If you'll recall, the tiny, uni-wheeled unit is built on the same balancing principles which the company's ASIMO uses, and utilizes the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system. What does all that mean? Well, it means that when you sit down on the thing, it moves in whatever direction you lean in, however slightly. The experience is kind of amazing, as it requires very little effort on the rider, and though you feel like you could easily go flying off of the U3-X, you always retain a solid center of balance. As opposed to something like the company's Walking Assist devices (which you can see us taking for a spin
right here), this is a totally effortless experience. It just goes where you want it to -- almost by suggestion. There's no telling if Honda will ever bring something like this to market -- they're notorious for crazy projects that never see the light of day on store shelves -- but it's an amazing look into the potential future of transportation. If you thought the
Segway was a little big for your taste, this could be the answer to your prayers. As far as we're concerned, now that we've taken a ride on the U3-X, walking just feels like a chore. See for yourself what it looks and feels like in the video after the break!
posted April 7th 2010 9:31AM
NO NO NO! These pictures are all wrong. If no one walks from their office to your office any more there should only be 300+ Pound people on those not 2 skinny girls!
@Jaylittles531
I think you're confusing advertising with real life. Think anyone would by a big mac if everyone in McDonald's commercials was a fattie?
I do see this helping people of normal weight with limited mobility, but more of a novelty overall.
@Jaylittles531 That's nice. Don't forget to ask for your free sep-tua-centennial cupcake in a cup.
@Jaylittles531 what the heck are these going to be used for? i dont get it i mean this is like a freakin unicycle. i hope that these never hit outside near a road.
@Grizz
IN A CUP!
@kumar
Most people with limited mobility though wouldn't be able to hold themselves up like that since there is no back so I dont really see that being a selling point.
@Jaylittles531
You do remember that it is a Japanese invention. the ones who are truly obese in Japans are the people who will be buying these for the multiple levels of employees below them.
They won't use one, they have people who use this to run errands for them. Plus they would be far too busy drinking ocha and osake, smoking some overly-priced cigars, being entertained by geisha while in the company of some equally corrupted politicians. :D
@Grizz Hey, I know a damn good recipe for muffins that is made in the microwave using a coffee cup to hold it together.
@Jaylittles531 WAALLLLLLLLL-EEEEEEE
Wow, that thing is f'ing cool!!
Just think about it, my hands will be free to eat my bacon double cheeseburger and fries. Nice. Honda, please implement a cup holder, for my super sized high fructose corn syrup drinks.
@emopoops What have you got against unicycles? I ride a unicycle, you know.
@Jaylittles531
Honda is a Japanese Corp. So my guess is it was designed for Asians, not obese people living in North America.
@The Madman
A unicycle requires you do actual work, this thing doesn't.
@Jaylittles531 I know, and that's great and all, but emopoops was whining about unicycles. ¬_¬
ZOMG an OMNI-WHEEL!
I never thought the day would come!
*sheds a tear in joy*
@Jaylittles531
that is INCREDIBLE!
until you hit a bump, or go out on the road, but seems awesome for the office though where it's mostly carpet
@Jaylittles531
So the large majority of people with mobility problems can't sit upright?
@Jaylittles531
You have it all wrong, imagine using this in a doctor's office, the doctor can chart from his desk, tilt over and move to the patient, slide back while holding his tablet/equipment. Better on your joints and back. I think this is a great invention!
@chrlchmp exactly! Or any office chair. Much easier than rolling casters on my Aeron.
@Jaylittles531 - Exactly! The same way the people in the ad below are all wrong!
A Honda U3-X and a KFC Double down. American BLISS!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVLEB0lv1rw
@Grizz We have a pool?
I can take my tea back to my desk without spilling it!
@Jaylittles531
If the only exercise people are getting is from walking from office to office then I'm pretty sure they're lazy bastards and deserve to be 300+ pounds.
On another note, these things look awesome, but I wonder what the battery life is like and if the battery dies, do you fall flat on your ass?
@chrlchmp
What can a doctor or any person do on this that they can't do on their own two feet? I can lean over, and walk backwards holding a Tablet PC... Just curious. ;)
@Jaylittles531
You know, Josh may be skinny but I wouldn't call him a girl.
Can't wait for the U3-Xtreme games. Totally see people souping these things up and doing aerials off a half pipe.
Joshua doesn't look happy in that picture - it makes me sad :(
@nuck
Haha for sure, he looks so disappointed in himself.
"Why am I letting them take apicture of this....?"
@nuck Now they changed the picture ... I am even MORE sad :(
do want honda u3-x jousting tournament
@Uncontrol
I was thinking Nerf basketball.
@Uncontrol
Office Wars will be forever changed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVKnF26qFFM
@Uncontrol That thing is AWESOME! It looks like magic... floating from left to right!
I'm gonna go ahead and need a job at Engadget...like now.
@Maurizio
Sign me up too.
@Maurizio Josh gets all the good stories, he makes Paul sit in the line overnight at the Cube to get an iPad.
Josh you missed an opportunity here... you should have been playing with your iPad to show off its true mobile capabilities.
Better get Americans skinny before introducing another factor of fatness to the market! ^_^
@cheto Don't hate. Perhaps one day your pathetic little country can come close to a standard of living akin to ours. Then you too can try to work smarter not harder.
@cheto
You're the one's in mad-crazy-love with ultra-fat guys running into each other barely wearing napkin over their privates...
I mean, at least our fat people do silly things fully clothed...
@Invalidd I like siestas ;)
@cheto Actually so do I... It's probably why I'm so fat. ;-)
Forget saving for an iPad, I'm getting one of these!
Touche Honda, touchee
@bazookafx3
the only thing that could possibly be better is a flying carpet!
@bazookafx3 ... I'd love to use the iPad as a steering wheel with all the motion sensitivity & what nots.
The video sold me. I want one, even though I can't imagine where i'd actually ride it.
This is gonna be the revoluion in Mario kart where bowser always wins.it'll be called Honda on mushrooms kart
Segway killer!
@fais legs killer!
No red pants this time Topolsky?