JAPAN: Japanese carmaker Honda uses its Asimo robot technology to create a mini-personal transporter

Record ID: 402087

  • Title: JAPAN: Japanese carmaker Honda uses its Asimo robot technology to create a mini-personal transporter
  • Date: 25th September 2009
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE) (REUTERS) ASIMO ROBOT DEMONSTRATION AT A ROBOT SHOW
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Science / Technology
  • Reuters ID: LVA1QP1PBSY7VQQJZI2F665M56HZ
  • Story Text: Honda Motor Co unveiled on Thursday (September 24) a small-sized, electric battery-powered personal transporter they say may be the future of indoor transportation in Japan.
    The unicycle unit called U3-X, is shaped like the number eight, can be steered by leaning in the direction the rider wants to travel. It is similar to a Segway but is more compact and can be easily stored in the trunk of a car.
    But while the Segway has been used mainly outdoors and in big buildings, the 65 cm (2 ft 2 inch) tall Honda machine is small enough and light enough to use at home. Japanese traffic restrictions have meant Segways and other similar vehicles are virtually impossible to use except indoors.
    With a maximum speed of 6 kph (3.7 mph), or about the pace of brisk walk, indoors would be a natural environment for the U3-X.
    "I am convinced that this new mobility unit, which uses the balance technology we developed through our research on the Asimo robot, will bring us a step closer to creating a fun transportation mode that will also open the way forward to infinite possibilities," Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told reporters.
    Ito added however that the vehicle is purely in the development stage and the automaker has no plans to sell it yet.
    The self-balancing unit weighs in at less than 10 kg (22 lb), and is powered by a lithium-ion battery and runs for an hour per charge.
    Japanese media reported that Honda expects this vehicle may possibly be used one day in airports or hospitals.
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