Honda U3-X
Just saw the news report on TV this morning. Honda yesterday announced a prototype vehicle that they are working on called the U3-X.

You'll get a better idea by watching the video below of how it works.
As you can see, its a bit like a Segway but unlike a Segway, the U3-X can move in all directions just by leaning ones body weight.

The U3-X weighs under 10kg and dimensions are 315×160×650mm. Battery lasts for about an hour before you need to carry it ^^; Speed goes up to 6km/hour.
Details at Honda HP show how thw U3-X uses balancing technology used in ASIMO.
ASIMO balancing technology in action below.
Photos from Livedoor.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)



















-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
I see the future now, and it's full of obese people on the industrial strength version of these things.
Web Developer
http://kungfudiscomonkey.net
They would still need to be able to balance on one of those.
A Curiosity
they would probaboly have some sort of auto balancer by then...
Full-time geek/Part-time student/Part-time musician
http://randomgeekness.livejournal.com/
I hope so ^^ it would be paradise for me *o*, Industrial strength version!!!! LOL!.
Figurine Enthusiast, Uni Student
something like what happened in Wall-E?
Engineering Student
Bigger seats too!
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Exactly what I was thinking O_o
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
lol I was thinking the same when I saw it, It reminded me of Wall-E ^^
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
I was thinking the same thing as well. Though at least it's kinda cool.
College Student, Computer Science Major
http://www.projectsaber.com
You can also imagine a future where everyone is using these to travel around. Seems like part of a high tech and futuristic world. ^^;
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
high tech and full of obese people =P
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
hahaha~
filmaker
http://bigstick-freshturd-hotday.blogspot.com/
i want to see asimo ride that thing....
Cook assistant
http://figuramania.blogspot.com/
Hahahaha, wow, that would be interesting :D
Trendspotter Busybody Mercenaries
http://spectreoutreach.blogspot.com
I see horde of Honda U3-X conquering the Malaysian pedestrian path like Honda EX5
Terrorist ? =)
Looks like it can be some hi-tech chair in the office ^^
Wonder whats the limit on the weight of the person though, probably cant apply TOO MUCH weight @.@
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
They'll have to make a bigger version for westerners lol. Not cos of the weight maybe, but cos of the difference in height, I cant imagine I'd fit easily on one of those without toppling off it lol.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
looks like fun!
http://moemoekyun.wordpress.com
looks better than segway ^^; nice model LOL
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
OMG thats so cute! And so cool! And so portable!!! Looks so freaky the way it glides lol... mental...
Yeah the way that it seems to just float about is cool.
???Confused???
Nice and compact...would be nice in the office...
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
*falls on cute girl*
Sorry miss. My U3-X ran out of battery.
Exploring worlds and ways of thought
That would be an awesome computer chair with a high back and recliner feature. XD
lol...The Future is Now!
I wonder if it is very power consuming & how fast can it go.
Quite small though....would be better if its slightly bigger. =]
IT dude, Gamer
http://www.giantbomb.com/profile/zyn
This is the future.
Student
Seems like a motorised unicycle.
Student/Artist/Freelance Writer
Soon clowns will be scary on a whole other level.
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
I can already see the future.
"My Honda U3-X challenges your Segway!" -insert InitialD BGM here-
Multimedia Technology Student
http://thehappyninjadrawn.wordpress.com
LOL.
I don't know if I could use one of those, it really looks like a unicycle and I'm no good at riding those ^^.
Student, Help Desk Worker
http://aaronsblog-godpir.blogspot.com/
That is awesome! It looks like it floats across the ground though...how does it move like that? It doesn't look like there is a tread or a ball on the very bottom of it...hmmm...interesting...I somehow want one now...XD
Student
http://cream77.deviantart.com/
This reminds me of Wall-E
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
Haha, I was just about to say that, will all the fat people in the hover chairs.
Terrorist ? =)
If you click the link to the site, it shows a picture of the wheel.
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
I wonder what the weight capacity of that is and/or if they'll make other models for each weight class.
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
Cool! more innovative and futuristic ideas :D
Time Traveller/High School Student
http://thetsundere.wordpress.com/
How cool!
I wonder if these are as much fun to ride on a a Segway? ^^
Medical student
http://www.protocolsnow.com
What's the battery life for a Segway? U3-X will have to improve on one hour to be a Segway killer, but good start!
Draftsman Graduated, Environment & Interior Design Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manuelriosg/
Cool I want one of this U3-X!!! But the Asimo's balancing technology fail is epic!!! LOL
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
lol what's with the Asimo video... it's like after it falls... they all pack up and leave.
U3-X looks so fun to ride on. The balance system is amazing. Downside is the 1 hour battery life.
Rocketman
Couple thoughts:
1. I want a reclining office chair version of that.
2. Its almost like those things the people ride on in Wall-E.
3. I want like... twelve of those.
Student
http://animarka.blogspot.com
Bwahah, office chair!:D 'Guys, I'm quickly going to the cafeteria with my U3-X. Anyone want something?' lol
Student or something like that
http://myanimelist.net/profile/tiberis1221
Yeah, saw it on tv too ^^
I think i rather prefer the segway one XP
Bigger wheels LOL
animetard and a writer
http://kluxorious.blogspot.com/
that is some pretty awesome technology
Student
http://the-home-planet.blogspot.com
Ah, I saw that on the news today, as well!! Thought it looked really cool, if a bit scary... I always have balance problems, so I can just imagine falling off it so easily...
The channel I was watching described it as "a motorized unicycle that can stand on its own". And said that the company was just trying to figure out if there was a market for it...
Silly Honda, it's an awesome "gadget". Of course there's a market for it...
Chinese/Viet restaurant waiter, no post secondary
When the battery lasts more then 6 hours, and its safe for most people to ride on, i'll get one :3 Oh, and it goes faster then an average person running.
IT Analyst
http://www.facebook.com/damdx
Poor Asimo.
But I think that was an old Asimo model.
Now they come with oiled knees lol
Student, Performer
http://kesenaitsumi89.wordpress.com/
LOL. you should stop showing the video of the ASIMO falling from the stairs. ^^''
http://seriebnadamas.blogspot.com/
So funny I guess
lol at the ASIMO, but it's hard to get a robot to walk on its own so it's understandable that it has some slip ups. The U3-X seems like it'd be soooo fun to ride.
BioResearch Assistant
Interesting, it's basically an automated unicycle.
Student
http://volzel.net/
Wow, from the first image I thought it was some fancy looking speakers...
Student.
http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/profile/Yuusuke-kun/
awesome!!
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Look like a unicycle but with motor, if it can be balanced handfree, then it's a plus.
Not sure how good is the balancing, but I still prefer my Segway for the time being~~~
Nekophilia
I think one can get constipation from that. >.<
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
Wow! A mass-production version! I've seen several different DIY versions of these recently. Look at this one!
http://gizmodo.com/384074/uno-a-unicycle+motorbike+segway-hybrid
Student
This looks cool! Would like to try it myself.
trainee at German Telekom
http://grew.themania.org/
Why can't it be more seat abit more comfier?
And yeah... can someone drift with it around the corners in cities? XD
Art Student
http://binte-ji.deviantart.com/
When I see these, I think of the obese people in Wall-e. But it does look like a lot of fun. lol I do hope it's implemented for something useful in the future, instead of adding to our current problems.....
student
http://listlessink.wordpress.com/
Interesting. Wonder why there's no back on this thing. Also wonder about balance.
Student~
it's interesting about the balance thingy...
but how does it move? It seems like it mvoe in all direct... a wheel can't do that... unless it can turn?
Student
Asimo falling was hilarious.
Would also be interested in finding out how the thing balances, if it does :/
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
i could barely make out those tiny wheels at the bottom.
This is too slow. average people walk at about 5km per hour. this will have to be carried after an hour. adding 10kgs to your weight. this will be troublesome in crowded places. This might be good for workplaces with very large floors or open spaces and very less no. of people. practically its useless in its current version.
maybe in time when they develop it further it could be used as a mode of transport.
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
this is pretty awesome - at least it can fit in the back of my car ^^"""
http://personal.babelred.com
I can see the pain... Ouch...
graphic designer/ illustrator
http://www.zerodegreedesigns.deviantart.com
I thought it was cg or something when it moved- so weird...
http://xcomprandomness.co.uk/
So it's an electric unicycle... Probably wouldn't sell here because of the cold and rainy climate ^^;
Lazy Gamer at home
http://www.espadakiller.wordpress.com
Argh...just walk god damn it lol
Mad scientist
http://yazor-san.daportfolio.com/
Exactly. I don't see the use of that thing exept for lazy people. ToT But it's some cool technology though.
Looks real good XD
Hurry for the future
Nurse
That is awesome...
I agree that it's really silly and walking would just be easier (and healthier), but I still think it's great, if just as a concept. I would still laugh to myself if I saw someone zooming down the sidewalk in one of those, though, just like I do with Segways. Still, Japan does come up with some amazing gadgets.
http://news.monsterlittle.com
It's so cool! Hope I can have one.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
The technology used is pretty amazing. I would have never thought that the balance technology used in ASIMO can be used in this way!
But I think it should stay as a prototype. Like what previous commenters have pointed out, this would make people lazier. People should just stick to walking if they wanted to travel a short distance. What's the point of being born with legs if you're not gonna use them, amirite?
Warehouse Employee
http://daftline.wordpress.com/
Ultracool, but I guess it just stays with watching the video...
Student
Pretty soon man will no longer know how to walk.
Prop Armor Craftsman :D
ASIMO FAIL! Lol. I don't know why but the first thought that came into my had was that these are a little creepy.
Yes indeed, a future full of obese people.
MSc student, Software Technology
http://www.deblanck.org
That's an awesome thingy! Replacing the car with this as an alternative way of going to work could be cool! (perhaps 6km/h is just a wee bit too slow for this)
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
I can already see people racing in these....
IT Administrator
That is cool!
How much will it be?!
LOL
I just laughed my ass off when she sat on and it took off.
Dental Technician, i make teeth!
http://antsizedman.blogspot.com/
Thought it was a speaker when i first saw it.
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
very coooool design for a motorized personnel transporter.
"get up Asimo 2"...............it never got up???? hehheehhehhe:P
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
LoL from the thumbnail I thought it was a couple of speakers XD Pretty nice that you can strafe with it, but hard to see how you can turn at high speed instead of strafing :P
Teacher of English
http://www.freewebs.com/superrobots/
JAPAN: The world of the pastpresentfuture.
Bus Operator, Part time Zaku Pilot
I need one of these to get to my transport!!!
failing student
http://ukyuki.blogspot.com/
when i first saw the picture i thought it was a speaker lol
University Student
interesting. Technology seems to be progressing very well.
I got an idea... Why don't they tack that onto Asimov's feet so he can move in all directions and faster!? :P
Certified Trouble Maker, Part-Time Otaku
http://picasaweb.google.com/adi.widyatmoko?feat=email
superb. i love what honda created. wanna have one for sure :D
Graphic Designer
That's awesome! I want one.
When I first saw a Segway I didn't understand the point of it. Sure the technology is impressive but you're still standing. It's like, lazy but not quite all the way there.
Freelancer, Blogger
http://archersanime.blogspot.com/
I would get one Just so i could say i have one
Student in Internet-based Systems
Next dimension of lazyness. :D
Screenwriter Wannabe
are people really this lazy? lol
Student
I've been watching that video for a while now...I can't figure out how it moves ^^;
And i laughed pretty hard at the robot, dunno why though (^_^)
neet/single parasite
poor asimo and i though it'll stand up again lol
Self Employed - Small Business
I remember the weird walking "legs" Honda made.
I see what Honda is trying to do: They're making solutions so to help old people move around more. Remember that Japan has a very high percentage of old people compared to other countries. Robots also are expected to be assistants to old people so these same old people won't have to go to sucky nursing homes.
I do envision more fat people in the future, though...