U3-X Personal Mobility Prototype - Amazing
 

With U3-X Honda rethinks the concept of personal mobility, providing the rider with freedom of movement in any direction forward, backward, sideways and diagonally by simply leaning slightly in the desired direction. The lightweight and compact one-wheeled device also features a foldable seat and retractable footrests. A lithium-ion battery pack provides power for up to one-hour of use and can be recharged by plugging in to a conventional household or office 120-volt power outlet.

Weighing roughly 22 pounds, U3-X uses an advanced Honda proprietary balance-control system which derives from its research into human walking dynamics for the development of the ASIMO bi-pedal humanoid robot. To realize full freedom of movement in all directions, the U3-X also employs the worlds first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) which utilizes a series of concentrically mounted wheels a larger, forward and backward moving inner wheel and a series of smaller sideways moving outer wheels. Diagonal motion is achieved when both forward and sideways moving wheels operate in tandem.

In addition, the compact size and one-wheel-drive design of U3-X was intended to provide user-friendly and pedestrian-friendly operation with low-mounted foot pedals that make it easy for the rider to reach the ground, and a seat height that places the rider at approximately the same eye-level as other people.

Hmmmm. Interesting....

I dunno about the amazing part though. :winkwink:

It makes me think of the Jetson's watching it a second time.

pretty cool

This is THE dumbest thing i think i have ever seen in my life.
Other then making really lazy people fat it has absolutely no usage what so ever.

That is other then being a fun toy type gadget that i have no doubt is just another add gimic, they are just playing with tech and huge budgets.....

I want to see this thing go up some stairs lol

It reminds me of the chairs in Wall-E

Just what America needs - a device to create more fat people. :2 cents:

The only part I find amazing is the fact that it balances itself and someone using it.

I'm pretty sure I'd never use one of these. I think it's like the Segway, not many people would use it.

And It's just a prototype anyway.

I like the wheels on a wheel idea.

its great for people that want to look like idiots..

It's cool, but are people so lazy they can't just walk? It's not like a handicapped person could use that, so I can't really see the point. Maybe if they made a concept that worked like a wheelchair or something.

Yeap, a device to make people even lazier. :disgust