Autoblog

Honda unveils another Segway-fighter [w/video]

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Technology, Honda

It seems that ever since humankind grew legs and climbed out of the ocean, we've been trying to figure out ways to avoid using said appendages. While many of these efforts have been wildly successful - think Roman chariots, Pony Express, and the Ford Model T - the recent spate of personal mobility devices hasn't quite taken off.

The poster child for this failure is, of course, the Segway. Though completely awesome, its greatest success has come in comedic appearances on television (Arrested Development) and in the movies (Paul Blart: Mall Cop). But manufacturers have forged ahead, undaunted in their desire to bring human-like mobility to humans. The latest: The Honda Uni-Cub.

An evolution of Honda's U3-X motorized unicycle, the Uni-Cub marries a saddle and sturdy base with an omni-directional drive wheel. A rider controls the Uni-Cub by simply shifting their weight. Honda says it is "designed for harmony with people," as the device positions the rider at relatively the same height as pedestrians, rather than towering over them like a Segway rider.

The Uni-Cub is designed for use indoors, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery and electric drive. It can reach a top speed of 3.7 miles per hour and has a range of 3.7 miles, meaning that any reasonably fit individual should be able to both outrun and outlast the Uni-Cub.

Honda will begin demonstration testing of the device in June.

Scroll down to read the full press release and watch a video of the Uni-Cub in action, and be sure to check out all the images in our gallery.

Continue reading Honda unveils another Segway-fighter [w/video]

Honda unveils another Segway-fighter [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geneva Preview: Honda 3R-C Concept is a funny little thing

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda, Electric

Honda 3R-C Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda's bringing a concept car to the Geneva Motor Show that you would more expect to see in the design student gallery section - or Tron Legacy - than on a major automaker's platform. The 3R-C concept is a three-wheeled, battery-powered single-seater. We're going to assume the seating position in the rendering is a slight error of scale or that there's something more complex going on, otherwise, we don't know how the driver would see above the controls. At first we were confused about the driving position, but a belatedly complete set of press photos explains that the headrest-looking thing is actually a backrest...

It will be joined by the EV-N concept that is debuting in Europe for the first time, but that cute little number was initially shown at the Tokyo Motor Show. Follow the jump to read about both electric offerings, and check them out in the galleries of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Honda 3R-C Concept

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda EV-N concept

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Honda 3R-C Concept is a funny little thing

Geneva Preview: Honda 3R-C Concept is a funny little thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Honda

Jim Kenzie of the Toronto Star tries out the U3-X - Click above for high-res image gallery

If there is one thing humans love, it's personal mobility. After all, what other species regularly harness other creatures for the sole purpose of getting around. The auto industry is all about personal mobility. Since the dawn of the car in the late 19th century, it has been adopted world-wide as one of the preferred means of getting around.

Mobility, of course, is about a lot more than just driving. Just moving around is important and when people find themselves unable to move or having difficulty, it plays havoc with the psyche. A number of automakers are researching ways to expand mobility beyond the automobile and the result is projects like the GM Puma and Toyota Winglet. Honda, too, is studying the problem and while we were in Japan for the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda took us to their R&D center to check out a few recent projects, including the quirky U3-X (shown above). Read on for a first hand account of what we saw and sat on.

Gallery: Honda mobility devices

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices

Tokyo 2009: Autoblog samples quirky Honda U3-X unicycle and other assist devices originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments