There is a lot of engineering inside that thing, incredible how they have eliminated the oscilations almost completely, Segway has to do corrections in 2 dimensions having 2 wheels but being just 1 wheel this have to do in 3D. How that thing can move ahead, back, left, right and diagonal with the same wheel and without not changing its plane, is really more a robot than a simple vehicle. Only can be surpassed by a levitation vehicle.
Considering the design choices, this is more a mobile stool then a unicycle vehicle. Realizing that makes it more interesting. For transportation, the Enicycle is much better because it can turn and go faster.
i dont think their goal was to market this exact model, but to demonstrate its possibilities for something that COULD go mainstream, something more practical. You gotta consider that by presenting this invention they are probably getting tons of potential investors from the hype alone, anyone crazy enough to spend the money on it now is just a bonus.
Good for Honda for coming up with experimental devices - this one appears quite useful for lower limb disabilities, for those who are impaired and tired of limitations imposed by wheelchair/walker devices. This is the "cutting edge" of innovation .... not for the average person who can already walk normally (but something only a disabled person would appreciate).
Interesting looking but I would guess that the wheel would have to be replaced often. Also would be difficult to carry a briefcase or purse with such a device. Might also want to attach a siren and tracker to it in case someone attacks the rider to try to steal the device.
as an industrial designer a few things immediately struck me. Its still more about design than function... remove the fancy folding seat and use that space for a larger battery. Also add small petals on the footrests for rotation as it seems everyone has to put their feet down to turn the device... this would make it possible to add some height to the device so the rider looks and feels more comfortable
in the future, obviously these will emit no 'sounds', so a cool thing would be archery! :D shoot arrows around while getting here and there at high speed. just a thought
It looks like a cross between a segueway and a unicycle. I'm guessing the rider needs to have good balance as a pre-requisite? As this is 3 years old what has been developed since? Am very interested in this technology.
Well, if streets and sidewalks get carpeted it would be almost as fast as walking... but not quite. Maybe it would be a good addition for someone recovering from a foot or leg injury to use around the house.
I heartily agree its more about design than anything else. Regardless, without the quantum leap in battery technology we've all grown inpatient for, this, along with so very many other newer ideas, is a mere novelty. Perhaps if we could take the obvious nervous energy of the rider and somehow transfer that to the battery ... LOL
I enjoyed the clarity of that statement. The Japanese have never been involved in anything like you speak of... oh wait... korea. Now, I love Japan and it's people, but I don't know of any major country that doesn't have skeletons of some sort in it's closet. On a different note, Amazing innovation!
they're encouraging people to put less effort in our daily activities then make us spend money on gym or buying new equipment for physical fitness. WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA.
The target demographic is likely the elderly, not the obese (as with most robotic innovations from Japan). A large and increasing percentage of the Japanese population is over 65; they are experiencing negative growth. U3-X is an elegant solution to improve elderly mobility and is significantly better than the alternatives (visit 'The Scooter Store' for comparisons).
funny thing is that the cops in my town have segways at the moment. won't be surprised if they get these in the near future. now i wonder if you shoot an emp at a segway, does it come to a sudden stop and the rider fall off?
That thing would kill my back first. It should be designed with a more ergonomic structure so your knees can lean on little pads and your spine is in less of a strain.
@bignickkay I've always thought that the movie Wall-E got the image of our future pretty down pat... or at the very least I want one of the hover chairs from it. :)
There is a lot of engineering inside that thing, incredible how they have eliminated the oscilations almost completely, Segway has to do corrections in 2 dimensions having 2 wheels but being just 1 wheel this have to do in 3D. How that thing can move ahead, back, left, right and diagonal with the same wheel and without not changing its plane, is really more a robot than a simple vehicle. Only can be surpassed by a levitation vehicle.
Considering the design choices, this is more a mobile stool then a unicycle vehicle. Realizing that makes it more interesting. For transportation, the Enicycle is much better because it can turn and go faster.
Impressive ground clearance!
Wow it even SOUNDS like the future.
want one..... thats so cool. and much more practical than a Segway haha.
the way it moves is so awesome
I think the wheel design on this is the best part the wheel goes sideways and normal . It looks like quite the engineering feat. nice one
Do you remember that scene in Wall E when you see all humans scooting around on the personal mobility chairs.....
It may be a novelty /now/, but this kind of device will probably be everywhere in ten years. Looks both fun and eerie, gliding along like some ghost!
Having seen a concept video for this, I can tell you it is a wheel made of wheels that are 90° to the main axle...thus the lateral movement.
Applying this idea and for security and redesign as a chair, may be the best.
i dont think their goal was to market this exact model, but to demonstrate its possibilities for something that COULD go mainstream, something more practical. You gotta consider that by presenting this invention they are probably getting tons of potential investors from the hype alone, anyone crazy enough to spend the money on it now is just a bonus.
I want to drive one of these. It looks like so much fun.
Very nice work by honda. Wonder how long the battery last between charges.
Good for Honda for coming up with experimental devices - this one appears quite useful for lower limb disabilities, for those who are impaired and tired of limitations imposed by wheelchair/walker devices. This is the "cutting edge" of innovation .... not for the average person who can already walk normally (but something only a disabled person would appreciate).
Interesting looking but I would guess that the wheel would have to be replaced often. Also would be difficult to carry a briefcase or purse with such a device. Might also want to attach a siren and tracker to it in case someone attacks the rider to try to steal the device.
Sounds like it makes great Margaritas. It looks like it would be great in a living room but what about curbs, sidewalks, road debris and so forth?
as an industrial designer a few things immediately struck me. Its still more about design than function... remove the fancy folding seat and use that space for a larger battery. Also add small petals on the footrests for rotation as it seems everyone has to put their feet down to turn the device... this would make it possible to add some height to the device so the rider looks and feels more comfortable
I love Japan
in the future, obviously these will emit no 'sounds', so a cool thing would be archery! :D
shoot arrows around while getting here and there at high speed. just a thought
It looks like a cross between a segueway and a unicycle. I'm guessing the rider needs to have good balance as a pre-requisite? As this is 3 years old what has been developed since? Am very interested in this technology.
would be a better core work out than walking i think.
do they go up and downhill?
how long do their charges last?
You can go in any direction you wish, as long as you face the same direction.
Does it come with Ibuprofen or a similar medicine to help cope with the splitting headache that the sound will give you?
Cool gadget, but what about support for your back. You will have to have good posture to operate this one!
I love Honda...
I assume from your statement that you don't use any form of modern transportation. Way to go. That's admirable.
I think this has applications for those people who have lost the mobility in their legs (with some modifications. amazing!!!
@izzy226 they'll probably have different versions of it, if they do plan on selling them
Why are their so many futuristic things created. But nothing is been sold to the public.
will these climb the mountain or will it blend?
I wonder if the sitting position on it is really good for the back.
The wheel design would be AWESOME on like a chair. Primarily i'm thinking for the office. :D
Yes but will it blend?
if you sit on it properly, good posture is always good for your back.
what about speed bump, hole, squirrel? where is the airbag?
This is the next step into the evolution of sportbikes. With this technology, one-wheeled Ninja ZX-R's are almost near. O_O
How does it stay up right like that? Without tipping over to the side?
Well, if streets and sidewalks get carpeted it would be almost as fast as walking... but not quite.
Maybe it would be a good addition for someone recovering from a foot or leg injury to use around the house.
Honda just reinvented the wheel. Coming soon in the new Honda Accord 2024 model.
wow...how cool,the new rolling chair of the future....excellent !
i think it's kind of cool and the future is near !
Does it have winter tires? :D
No, that's a great product, really! The WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE sound will NEVER get old!
Will it blend?
will there be a Type-R version?
what keeps it from just falling over??
I heartily agree its more about design than anything else.
Regardless, without the quantum leap in battery technology we've all grown inpatient for, this, along with so very many other newer ideas, is a mere novelty.
Perhaps if we could take the obvious nervous energy of the rider and somehow transfer that to the battery ... LOL
@MasterMark123 yes but what if you are a little less mobile than others...
I think it sounds awesome.
It cant turn? How do you turn when your at cruising speed?
Where's the cup holder?
is this hovering on air?
is it front wheel drive?
what's the U3-X worst enemy? Stairs
Does it have a weight limit?
Well, it is self-balancing. Did you watch the video?
does it only move on carpet?
how much does that guy charge to follow you around and catch you when you fall?
they use those same multi-directional wheels on luggage unloaders
I enjoyed the clarity of that statement. The Japanese have never been involved in anything like you speak of... oh wait... korea. Now, I love Japan and it's people, but I don't know of any major country that doesn't have skeletons of some sort in it's closet. On a different note, Amazing innovation!
Lets see what happens when you hit a raised door sill?
Honda is AMAZING!!!
You lean to make it move? :/
Personal mobility device or new desk chair?
it just seems like a really cool office chair
I know this! Isnt it the onocicle ( is that word right? Im german :D) for farc
they're encouraging people to put less effort in our daily activities then make us spend money on gym or buying new equipment for physical fitness.
WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA.
omg i would pay to see that. thanks for the lolz visual.
The target demographic is likely the elderly, not the obese (as with most robotic innovations from Japan). A large and increasing percentage of the Japanese population is over 65; they are experiencing negative growth.
U3-X is an elegant solution to improve elderly mobility and is significantly better than the alternatives (visit 'The Scooter Store' for comparisons).
funny thing is that the cops in my town have segways at the moment. won't be surprised if they get these in the near future. now i wonder if you shoot an emp at a segway, does it come to a sudden stop and the rider fall off?
cant get it, how they made it hold the balance in such a small area of the wheel & it runs in all directions, this is amazing ! Honda Shuffling LOL
This device isn't going to fatten you up, you will fatten yourself up.
wow now we really getting into future =P
Bring it over -- I'll buy it!
guitar track?
That looks like fun!
but will "old" ppl manage to balance their body on this thing?
Great, a lovely chair.
that makes a segway seem like an ancient artifact.
Not everyone can walk easily. Some people with mild disabilities can benefit from something like this.
But a ball could...similar to a ball point pen perhaps?
Man, i love japan.
so it begins
Honda could make a wheelchair version using this technology, it would be a great improvement for persons with disabilities
seems more like a injury deal, lazy deal, or just moving around in a work place area. (just quick ideas,,,)
can't WAIT to get this for Dadsy and Mumsy. Teehee. The old one's get so tired when they go shopping.
omg how to ride this? oO
I saw this movie called Wall-E where this didn't turn out so well
it will be in the next x games.
it needs a touchscreen, with a gps or somehting.
It would be nice for working in the lab.
That thing would kill my back first. It should be designed with a more ergonomic structure so your knees can lean on little pads and your spine is in less of a strain.
@bignickkay I've always thought that the movie Wall-E got the image of our future pretty down pat... or at the very least I want one of the hover chairs from it. :)
How about feet?
@manofsan Rofl. yeah, this is the first step
they do have something for people like the ones you mention; it's call a wheelchair.
I want one of those! I'm 100% disabled, need assistance. This gives me hope.
I can just see people modifying the voltage and drag racing these.
this would be really good at an office job.