Honda’s very own Segway: the U3-X

Honda U3-X

Both Honda and Toyota seem to be quite interested in producing Segway-like personal mobility devices for human usage. Toyota has the i-REAL, and this latest gadget from Honda is called the U3-X. It’s still a concept for now, a compact experimental device that fits 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 U3-XHonda’s balance control technology – gained from the robotics research of Honda’s bi-pedal ASIMO robot – enables the rider to control the U3-X by leaning his or her upper body to shift body weight. The U3-X moves via a wheel that Honda calls the Honda Omni Traction Drive System, or HOT Drive System. The letter U stands for “unicycle” and “universal”.

It enables movement in all directions, including not only forward and backward, but also directly to the right and left and diagonally. Basically you sit on it like a stool, and lean around to move. The height of the device is designed to enable the user to be placed roughly the same eye level as other people. Top speed isn’t much, considering your upright position perhaps it’s for the better. You can travel at speeds of up to 6km/h. The U3-X itself weighs less than 10kg, can run for an hour with a full charge, and uses a lithium ion battery.

The U3-X will be one of Honda’s exhibits at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 that will happen towards the end of October 2009. You can probably expect the new Honda boss Takanobu Ito to ride out onto the stage on one of these to deliver his opening speech :D

Look after the jump for more shots and videos of this gadget.

[zenphotopress number=99 album=511]

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • Good for lazy ppl like me but it will cost a bomb.

    Am I the first?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • jolly_idiot on Sep 25, 2009 at 1:42 am

    Human are getting lazier and lazier. It'll soon or later human wil become like the movie Wall-E. Human limbs are useless.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kaveh on Sep 25, 2009 at 1:45 am

    You're the first one, cfa. ;-)

    They can really make this successful by making it reasonable price. Unlike the segway that priced itself out of the market. This makes the Segway look old fashioned!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • techboy_88 on Sep 25, 2009 at 1:56 am

    jolly_idiot said,

    September 24, 2009 @ 5:42 pm

    Human are getting lazier and lazier. It’ll soon or later human wil become like the movie Wall-E. Human limbs are useless.

    Read more: http://paultan.org/2009/09/24/hondas-very-own-seg…
    —————————————————————-

    very true & straight to the point

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Elvis on Sep 25, 2009 at 3:28 am

    I wonder why they never improve the wheelchair for those who really need them. Why create something like this for us healthy and God bless working arms and legs? I am really sad that smartest brain among us create something just to amuse the rich. I dont see the point….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Dave S. on May 07, 2010 at 2:04 am

      Who said it’s for the normal human being?
      Members of my family have a serious skin disease that walking a few feet causes blisters.
      some days they can and will walk longer distances, depending on the weather etc.
      How does one go to school/university etc.
      With one of these they can sit and ride and when they get to a short flight of stairs, pack it up and up they go.
      I can’t afford it but I would find a way to so my family doesn’t have to suffer.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • That girl on the right in the vid has nice curve! :D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • anderson on Sep 25, 2009 at 4:17 am

    Well said Elvis.

    An improved wheel chair is much needed then… this toy

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Meemegi on Sep 25, 2009 at 4:18 am

    Actually its already implemented to a wheel chair by the segway guy. But of course many cannot afford it although it looks so simple.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nesca on Sep 25, 2009 at 4:31 am

    omg lols.. just walk dammit! in a way its good for oldies and disabled people but i still believe the normal healthy one will buy too

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Squawk on Sep 25, 2009 at 4:39 am

    The first cyborgs will probably be made in Japan.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yeap, we're all getting lazier and fatter each day.

    inventing this devices for fit and healthy people have absolutely no point. we're born with legs, the purpose of legs are meant to walk and transport us.

    rather than being as it is, they should utilise it for handicapped personnel who need it even more than us fat, lazy people.

    maybe in the future, all the humans will have small limbs, and extremely large head, cause we only use our brain and everything else is computer assisted.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • did anybody notice that it is only goin to work for 1 hour ? at full charge..

    unless you have a powercord or a battery bakpack its not goin to run..much

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • You're Slimebal on Sep 25, 2009 at 5:33 am

    @csv – maybe in the future, all the humans will have small limbs

    ———

    Then our legs won't be able to reach the leg stand of this U3-X

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ferdaus on Sep 25, 2009 at 5:54 am

    riz.. ur right or my right? hehe..

    hope honda will build a bigger version of this for road use..

    the power of dream.. dream is really powerfull..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on Sep 25, 2009 at 5:55 am

    Why any new products, people always think it's designed for them only? Many shallow-minded doomsayer here!

    These should be suitable for working people that walks a lot in a huge place, like in a airport, hypermarket, shopping malls, even police for patrolling streets, etc.

    Just like golf buggies that are designed for golf courses, these vehicles are meant for different purposes. It's the same like roller-skates, motorbikes, trishaws, etc do we throw them away and walk instead??

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Elvis on Sep 25, 2009 at 6:52 am

    Actually our less capable friends are really at disadvantage on any latest tech. Take example the Kindle, device tat can read books for the blinds…..BUT the authors of books REJECT the text to audio capability of Kindle. Handphone for deaf….nowadays they can send sms. So bro Black Dog…i dont think we are doomsayers…all i am saying is that technology like this one SHOULD benefit our less capable friends….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • i want the girl with long hair.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mystvearn on Sep 25, 2009 at 8:22 am

    Need to redesign this. They are holding the seats while seating. That shows that it is not stable. Whatever happend to walking for the able bodied?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Malas on Sep 25, 2009 at 9:28 am

    Ala apa susah ..kalau malas sangat naik kokkong belakang robot Asimo saja la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rexis on Sep 25, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    I thought about Wall-E immediately too.

    Well said Elvis.

    Technology should help those less capable to become more capable, not the other way round.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on Sep 25, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Elvis, humans are always developing new products every single MINUTE, no matter for hadicappers or not. I'm sure there are lots of inventors designing solely for hadicappers too but that is another story altogether.

    This is a auto blog and we're talking about advancement in auto technology in general and you can't stop the world from constantly developing new products.

    The world can't stop turning.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • henry on Sep 26, 2009 at 12:35 am

    beautiful lady in white shirt there…. yummmm…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • firefox on Sep 26, 2009 at 1:30 am

    a…..if take this at malaysia jalan raya, haha cannot imagine..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rushdrift on Sep 26, 2009 at 3:00 am

    yes the future, when thin people will be awkward and fat people are common hahaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • mamat puchong on Sep 26, 2009 at 5:32 am

    I'm wondering how it would cost to have one of this,

    perhaps it just ment for rich people….

    anyway it's a smart invention and yes we can't stop inventing new things

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rich ppl on Sep 26, 2009 at 6:54 am

    oh what a nice invention!

    stop critizing this because of 'poor' ppl. there is only poor mind and poor thinking.

    i'm very sure lazy ppl wont be able to use this too, because lazy people dont want to move FAST!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • yippi33 on Sep 26, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    the wheel concept looks like a simplified version of the Mecanum wheel. you can find it at how stuff work site. the wheel can even spin 360. the most intelligent invention since the creation of wheel itself imho..and ermm..i'd pick the long haired one too..hheehee..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • david on Sep 26, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    i hope it comes with a remote control. it will be fun.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • You're Slimebal on Sep 26, 2009 at 11:55 pm

    I'm sure Paul posted this article because of the woman. Thank you Paul, you are such a caring guy. We sure appreciate masterpieces of art.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • stevewy on Sep 27, 2009 at 1:23 am

    got vtec or taip-R version kah? :D

    lolz! >.<

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • noBody on Sep 27, 2009 at 9:24 am

    i agree if it used for the handicapped, it should do a lot of assistance…

    but for a perfect human being, we shouldnt japerdized the gift of the priceless legs…instead of using lithium bat, why dont they designed it with turbine-based power which the rider should cycle often, not all the time, but often to sustain the power…eh…

    plus it kinda make a handy gym-cycle for all…exercise and socialize anytime n anywhere…. =)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nabil on Sep 27, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    The purpose isnt the main issue, but the great thinking behind it is important. Why would Honda spend decades n millions for their robot development? This shows they have a dream and always look for a way to a new technology. And new technology like this will open new ways for many positive things that benefit human in the future. The Segway for example, has opened ways for a smarter wheelchair that can climb stairs, overcome most obstacles on the road, and give video/filmmaking people a way to get a better dolly shot.

    Robotic technology has grown deep in Japanese culture, u see it in manga, anime, in everywhere. But they always go further beyond comic book fantasy by dreaming n creating something that may defy reality for a moment.

    I saw a TV program not long ago, showing how robotic technology would help their nurses carry heavy loads with ease. It shows a robotic suit that can be worn (think= Alien2) and transforms u into a superhuman (or supernurse), and helping a sick man getting up from his bed is a lot easier.

    Lazy people would always be lazy, segway or not. Give them a beanbag and they would be happy for life.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • c14man on Sep 30, 2009 at 8:49 am

    david said,

    September 26, 2009 @ 12:32 pm

    i hope it comes with a remote control. it will be fun.

    Haha… As long as people don't get their remote controls swtiched..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dave S. on May 07, 2010 at 2:08 am

    I want to know how much so I can look at purchasing one so my offspring can use on in University.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • SideDriver on Oct 04, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Very cool. I had a VERY similar idea drawn up much like their wheel about 12 years ago. I left that idea behind (too many parts) as I found a better way to do this with much wider applicability. Watch for SideDriver wheels coming soon…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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