GM and Segway's PUMA live reveal
by Sebastian Blanco on Apr 7th 2009 at 12:31PM 
GM/Segway Project P.U.M.A. - Click above for a high-res gallery
You know how the oil companies are all trying to become energy companies now? The new PUMA (aka, the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project) from GM and Segway shows one way that auto companies could shift over to being transportation companies if they wanted to. At an unveiling of the enclosed Segway for two this morning in Manhattan, GM and Segway reps talked about how the PUMA represents a big evolution of the automobile. GM vice president of research and development Larry Burns said the PUMA "is about fundamentally reinventing the automobile"
Burns said that the PUMA is a descendant of the AUTOnomy skateboard platform (which gave us the Chevy Sequel) and is pretty much the anti-HUMMER. In fact, Burns called the HUMMER the "extreme overdesign in personal transport," hinting that the PUMA represents the opposite tack.
The battery-powered PUMA is wholly functional, and we're still trying to figure out if it's more or less dorky looking than a Segway. Whatever the case, we still kind of like the two- (or six-, depending on how you're counting) wheeled design and are looking forward to the fall, when the media will actually be able to test drive the little buggers and next year, when some models with body panels and stylish looks arrive -- yes, the renderings that GM showed today do look a little like a Toyota i-swing with two wheels. The PUMA is 1/6th the size of a standard cars (and half the size of a Smart Fortwo) and should be about a third or a fourth the cost of a normal vehicle to operate, including insurance, running costs, etc.
Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. said that with two wheels, you get "unparralled" maneuverability. This thing can really turn on a dime. With a top speed of 35 mph, a 35-mile range, and the ability to recharge for 35 cents (or so GM says), there's got to be a market for city dwellers who think bikes are a good idea, but just too sweaty. For more, see GM's press release from last night.
Two videos, including one form our friends at Engadget, are available after the jump.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
I am Rich 12:41PM (4/07/2009)
Cool idea, if you drink the Kool-Aid. This is what Obama wants for us; the commoners. Obama is refusing repayment of the TARP funds from the banks, since he wants to continue to control the banks that took the funds.
Now, he wants the automakers to make the cars HE deems fit for the rest of us.
His manifesto: “We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK.”
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skant 1:11PM (4/07/2009)
Thank you for flaming. Next time, please use common sense before pushing your agenda on others. Subscribing to party politics doesn't mean you should be devoid of rational thought.
oldraven 1:59PM (4/07/2009)
You've got an incredible eye. I didn't see the name Obama in that article anywhere.
Frank 2:35PM (4/07/2009)
Oh, get off your high horse. You same people would take some unrelated stroy and shout "It's Bush's fault!" at every opportunity. I guess it depends on who's ox is getting Al Gored.
oldraven 3:11PM (4/07/2009)
You'd be wrong about that, Frank. If the story had ANYTHING to do with Obama, or politics in general, then I'd understand. But it doesn't. I'm sick beyond belief of hearing that name.
And Bush didn't get his digs from me until he started talking about Iraq. Obama got them from all sides the day he took office.
Anyway, this is autoblog, not politicalbitchonline.
Frank 8:42PM (4/07/2009)
I didn't mean you specifically Raven, but you know what I am talking about.
KIB2 11:52PM (4/07/2009)
Oh get over it McCain lost and Sarah Palin was a flop. The fact is GM has been working on this for sometime. I'd rather drive a light rail or subway and maybe even take a cab then drive this thing. I just could not imagine 20,000 of these things running up and down Manhattan.
Jared 7:45AM (4/15/2009)
Another example of how the 2party system is ripping this country apart. The second someone says Obama, 3 people respond with negative comments. Or Vise-vera with Bush or any other president.
Jake 12:41PM (4/07/2009)
The birth-control car!
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C.W. 12:48PM (4/07/2009)
agreed.
this thing is absolutely ridiculous. what the eff is going on!?....
I hope this is some sick twisted belated april fools day joke.
Jon 1:08PM (4/07/2009)
Agreed! Not much room for the Hanky-Panky, or much of anything else
hokieman09 1:58PM (4/07/2009)
They already have that its called a prius
Mazda FTW! 12:42PM (4/07/2009)
I really like it. It has practical application and this is the sort of "cool gadget" that is required to catch the attention of young people and the media to show that the new GM is different from the one they picture.
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Sea Urchin 1:01PM (4/07/2009)
This thing costs money. GM should spend every penny it has either to make viable cars that will sell for profit or they should be repaying the taxpayer.
tekd 1:17PM (4/07/2009)
lol I don't think it costs all that much money to throw a roll cage over a segway.
Which is essentially what this is-two seats and a roll cage put on top of a segway.
I guess it's nice that you can have a covered segway but this thing looks less safe than a friggin' motorcycle...those metal bars are on the passengers' shoulders, lol.
oldraven 1:57PM (4/07/2009)
Sea Urchin, it cost 0.5% of their annual engineering budget. It wasn't really a waste of money.
And Pods are the very near future, believe it or not, for urban driving. Since Toyota, Chrysler, Nissan, Suzuki, etc. are all working on Pods, do you think GM should sit back and get left behind on yet another emerging market trend? That's the kind of thinking that got them light years behind the competition with Hybrid technology.
Polly Prissy Pants 1:58PM (4/07/2009)
I'm with Sea Urchin - this is stupid. How Segway even exists outside the gates of an amusement park is beyond me. And if we all wanted cheap electric city transportation why not just buy a bunch of golf carts? At least I could get some groceries in one of those.
If this is how GM is spending my tax dollars then I want them back.
Machwon 12:44PM (4/07/2009)
It looks like they took a cage off the Zipper rides and balanced it on 2 wheels... looks equally as dangerous but not near as fun.
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GusTurbo 12:46PM (4/07/2009)
Am I the only one who thinks this would be fun as hell to go around in?
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C.W. 12:53PM (4/07/2009)
@gusturbo...
yes.