Honda U3-X: An Omnidirectional Segway-Style Unicycle That I Want Badly [Mobility Devices]

Jalopnik just posted this crazy Honda unicycle, the U3-X, with 'omni traction drive.' It's definitely the first personal mobility device that might help you fulfill your lifelong dream of re-enacting Jamiroquai's 'Virtual Insanity' video. Pics and details at [Gizmodo via Jalopnik]

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Taurus Balance Vehicle: Segway or Sexway? [Transportation]

Now I’m pretty sure that the whole Segway fad is over, but it looks like others have different ideas in mind. While this unusual horse-like vehicle looks interesting on paper, I’ve got trouble looking at it and thinking about transportation.

Designed by Erik Lanuza, the Taurus is supposed to be the Segway of the future, replacing cars and motorcycles as transportation in the inner city. One thing is for sure: from the looks of the photo above, the future will be sexy.

Honestly, it makes me think more of some kind of kinky sex-horse than anything else. What do you think?

[technabob via Wired]

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New video shows Honda’s U3-X Personal Mobility Robot in its full prototype glory [Honda]

Remember the U3-X Mobility Robot from Honda from last year? Well, the auto-unicycle is still a prototype, but Honda has just released a new (and pretty interesting) promo video on its official YouTube channel. The company says the U3-X can run continuously for one hour on a single (lithium-ion) battery charge and can be recharged via a conventional 120-volt power outlet.



The prototype weighs just 22 pounds, can stand by itself and features a foldable seat and retractable footrests. But its main bullet point is the omni-directional driving wheel system, which, according to Honda, is the only one of its kind. It allows U3-X drivers not only to move forward and back but also sideways and diagonally, setting it apart from vaguely similar products like the Segway or Toyota’s Winglet (which is also still just a prototype).

Here’s the promo video (in English, 3:39 min):




[CrunchGear]

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