It looks deceptively simple: a stool with a wheel, or an electric unicycle.
But Honda Motor, maker of cars, motorbikes, robots and aircraft, says it embodies state-of-the-art technology and may one day become the smallest means of transport for humans.
Honda's U3-X unicycle really for robots
Honda on Wednesday unveiled the U3-X, a stool with a unique directional wheel system that allows it to travel diagonally, as well as right, left, forward, and backward.
It's basically a robotic unicycle.
Key features of U3-X
Free movement just as in human walking;
Device control featuring application of balance control technology cultivated through ASIMO research:
HOT Drive System (Omni-directional driving wheel system):
Compact and innovative package:
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 |
clipped from blogs.reuters.com
clipped from news.cnet.com
