Honda U3-X

[runner]

September 24, 2009
Honda Develops New Personal Mobility Device With the Goal of Co-existing in Harmony with People -- World's first
drive system that enables movement in all directions --


TOKYO, Japan, September 24, 2009 - Pursuing the concept of "harmony with people" Honda has developed a new personal
mobility technology and unveiled U3-X, a compact experimental device that fits comfortably between the rider's legs,
to provide free movement in all directions just as in human walking - forward, backward, side-to-side, and
diagonally. Honda will continue research and development of the device including experiments in a real-world
environment to verify the practicality of the device.

This new personal mobility device makes it possible to adjust speed and move, turn and stop in all directions when
the rider leans the upper body to shift body weight. This was achieved through application of advanced technologies
including Honda's balance control technology, which was developed through the robotics research of ASIMO, Honda's
bipedal humanoid robot, and the world's first* omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive
System, or HOT Drive System), which enables movement in all directions, including not only forward and backward, but
also directly to the right and left and diagonally. In addition, this compact size and one-wheel-drive personal
mobility device was designed to be friendly to the user and people around it by making it easier for the rider to
reach the ground from the footrest and placing the rider on roughly the same eye level as other people or
pedestrians.

Honda is planning to showcase the U3-X at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 (sponsored by JAMA) which will begin on
October 24, 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

Striving to propose the next-generation mobility which expands the joy and fun of mobility, Honda has been conducting
robotics research since 1986, including ASIMO, walking assist devices and U3-X, at the Honda R&D Co., Ltd.
Fundamental Technology Research Center in Wako, Saitama, Japan.

* Based on Honda's internal research

video
http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090924New-Personal-Mobility-Device/video01/index.html?id=narrow


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[runner]

Key features of U3-X

<Free movement just as in human walking>

1. Device control featuring application of balance control technology cultivated through ASIMO research:
The incline sensor detects the incline of the device based on the weight shift of the rider and determines the rider's intention in terms of the direction and speed. Based on the data, precise control is applied to return the device to an upright position, which achieves smooth and agile movements and simple operation by weight shift only.

2. HOT Drive System (Omni-directional driving wheel system
Honda developed the world's first wheel structure which enables movement in all directions including forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally. Multiple small-diameter motor-controlled wheels were connected in-line to form one large-diameter wheel. By moving the large-diameter wheel, the device moves forward and backward, and by moving small-diameter wheels, the device moves side-to-side. By combining these movements the device moves diagonally.


<Compact size which fit between the user's legs>

3. Compact and innovative package:
The combination of the balance control technology and the HOT Drive System enabled the one-wheel style compact and innovative package of the device. In addition, the device adopts a light-weight monocoque body in which the foldable seat, footrests and body cover that also function as the frame are stored in the body of the device, achieving highly portable convenience.


Key specifications of the experimental model
Length × Width × Height(mm) 315 × 160 × 650
Weight less than 10kg
Battery Type Lithium ion battery
Operation time (with fully charged battery) 1 hour

http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c090924New-Personal-Mobility-Device/video02/index.html?id=narrow


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[Ryan Weld]

Awesome! Looks like a one-wheeled Segway you can sit on.

I'm pretty much done with walking, this fits the bill nicely.