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U3-X is Honda's latest mobility device
As well as rhyming with Jane Fonda and Anaconda, Honda has a pretty nifty thing going on with mobility devices and robots. (they are also in the automobile business but since I think their cars are fug we'll leave it at that.) Anyhoo, leotard fans, let's have a look at their latest invention, the U3-X. It's a cross between a unicycle and a Segway and, as you will see from the video below, there are all sorts of things the 22-pound U3-X can do.
It uses the balance control technology developed during the creation of Asimo, which means that the rider controls speed and direction merely by leaning with their upper body. Unlike most mobility devices, which either put the user above or below the eye level of pedestrians, this little baby sits its rider at just the right height. And last, but not least, it's HOT. Not Paris Hilton hot, but it boasts the Honda Omni Traction drive system, which means that, as well as going forwards and backwards...
It can go sideways. As can Jane Fonda. Your move, gigamungous serpent.
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BusinessWire Via Jalopnik
By ROBOT at 5:45 AM ON 09/24/09
Fix the captcha thingy. PLEASE. thank you.
By Addy Dugdale at 6:45 AM ON 09/24/09
Captcha thingy worky worky, Mr Robot. Well, works with me...
By saris at 8:28 AM ON 09/24/09
umm, ever heard of feet? Getting REAL lazy are we???
By Chaz at 9:02 AM ON 09/24/09
"Rhyming with Jane Fonda?" "I think their cars are fug?" Was this written by a 12-year-old?
By AD at 9:22 AM ON 09/24/09
How is it better, than using your own legs? You still need them to use it...
By Addy Dugdale at 9:40 AM ON 09/24/09
I'm actually 15 and three quarters, Chaz, but what's three and a bit years between friends?
By raddog5 at 10:23 AM ON 09/24/09
I think it's bonk. It looks so unstable that if you got hit by a grasshopper hit you might fall over. And it's very slow- it appears to be much slower than a Segway. I thnk I can walk faster that this thing goes.
By Dave.T at 10:59 AM ON 09/24/09
It looks slow and the riders were holding onto the seat while riding. Not very useful if you can't carry anything along.
By Bryan at 2:24 PM ON 09/24/09
If I was Aleksander Polutnik, I would be furious!
If you guys think this is cool. Check out the Enicycle.
By Carole Ford at 6:38 PM ON 09/24/09
Its simply amazing product manufactured by Honda. Moving in the era of technology its a true step forward.
By oulwan at 7:25 PM ON 09/24/09
Well, if we all want to get fatter I suppose ... WTF is the point of this thing? Losing the use of your legs through muscle atrophy?
By Topher at 1:38 AM ON 09/25/09
I could see this being useful for people who have, for example, multiple sclerosis.
By homer at 5:53 PM ON 09/25/09
maybe some day useful... looks like a serious beta version. hence the fades and cuts, feet constantly tapping on the floor, and the entirely white background to show absolutely no frame of reference for movement... thats the weirdest part...
By techbrown at 9:56 PM ON 09/29/09
Great Idea. This would revolutionize passenger travel as well. Hey Honda...Ever though of using these type of wheels on a futuristic car? That's right. These Omni-Traction Drives could be used to make drivers even better...let alone make them better at parallel parking.
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techbrown:
Great Idea. This would revolutionize passenger travel as well. Hey Honda...Ever though of using these type of wheel...More »