Urban Transport

Honda's self-balancing U3-X on show

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Honda's self-balancing U3-X
Honda's U3-X
Honda's self-balancing U3-X
Honda's U3-X
Honda's U3-X
Honda's U3-X
Honda's U3-X at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show
Honda's U3-X
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Honda's U3-X personal mobility device which so impressed us at the Tokyo Motor Show last year has made its first appearance on U.S. shores. The unique multi-directional, self-balancing one-wheeler is currently taking part in a three day demonstration New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square with a second event scheduled for April 13-15, at the 2010 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, Michigan.

While it looks like a high-tech unicycle, the U3-X and the technology that underlies it could have far reaching implications on the way we - and robots - get around in the 21st Century. It uses the world’s first omni-directional driving wheel system (Honda Omni Traction Drive System) to achieve smooth movement in any direction along with the company's proprietary balance-control system evolved from research into human walking dynamics for ASIMO the humanoid robot.

See the U3-X in action in the video below:

View gallery - 8 images
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5 comments
robinyatesuk2003
the best mini documentary clips I have ever seen,,,,many thanks
Grunchy
These self-balancing devices are essentially inverted pendulums, which is pretty much what rocket science is. Rockets have the same kind of problem, they have to self-balance as they sit on top of the rocket thrust without tipping over.
Craig Jennings
And yet they make out Rocket Science is so difficult Grunchy, a bit of CP here and CG there and you have a rocket going the right way. :)
lipase
Cool idea for older people and people who can't walk but for the average human why not just walk or better yet, roller blade? Where could this unicycle idea go? I can't see people wanting to go 60mph down a motorway like this
Yenko
Gee lipase, I don't know. Maybe the average person will get old, it happens. Or injured, suffer from high blood pressure or other balancing weakness maladies. 60 miles an hour, did they even suggest it would replace long distance automobiles? never mind. The average human, please.