Apr 13 2010Pull Over That Ass Is Too Fat, Woop Woop!: Honda's New Self Balancing Mobility Thingy
Honda, in their unending quest to weaken the human population to the point where we can't even run when they release the robots, has developed the U3-X, a personal mobility device that will allow our legs to atrophy even quicker. Nice try, Honda, but I'm writing this post from the treadmill! Kidding, I haven't gotten out of bed yet and I've already begun drinking.
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.
There's a couple videos after the jump if you want to see the U3-X in action, but if you came here hoping to see me in action I'm afraid you're gonna be disappointed. However I will be dancing in just my boxers tonight with the bedroom blinds open. Standing room only, parking in the bus-lane at your own risk, no flash photography.
Hit the jump for two videos, a short one I watched and a long one I didn't.
Honda's self-balancing U3-X on show [gizmag]
Thanks to David, Bongo and Dick, who don't need U3-X's to know how to roll. You just shake the dice and drop them, amirite?
Reader Comments
1. Closet Nerd - April 13, 2010 1:06 PM
Like we're not already lazy enough?
.... just sayin
2. Father - April 13, 2010 1:10 PM
Those seats aren't big enough for the people who would actually buy these things.
3. Brittany - April 13, 2010 1:16 PM
Now that's just sad, lol.
4. fleity - April 13, 2010 1:19 PM
1. guess there is a reason why the promotion video is without sound, damn that thing is loud.
2. rolling sidewards looks hilarious
3. could be much more fun without that seat-thingy Oo (atleast for some people)
5. Christopher - April 13, 2010 1:23 PM
Jesus, that's loud. It sounds like riding around on a vacuum cleaner...
6. Pat - April 13, 2010 1:24 PM
Neat, but I'm wondering if they could modify the sound so it doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner.
7. Samir N. - April 13, 2010 1:25 PM
Too bad someone like me is going to throw a branch in your path....
8. I've got a crush on the GW - April 13, 2010 1:26 PM
Damn that's not much faster than walking. At least a segway is fast enough for mall cops to chase shoplifting punks around. (until they get on the escalator)
9. JADE - April 13, 2010 1:31 PM
Yea and only a boney chinese ass will fit on that thing..........just sayin
10. CLF - April 13, 2010 1:40 PM
Do you think this thing stimulates female genetalia?
11. Dishy - April 13, 2010 1:49 PM
@10 maybe if you ride it upside-down.
It'd be awesomer if this thing was a pogo-stick. And hopped instead of rolled.
12. chuck - April 13, 2010 1:50 PM
i would just love to ride around looking like a little kid who's gotta take a shit
13. Tr011 - April 13, 2010 1:51 PM
fake and gay
14. Little-big-face - April 13, 2010 1:52 PM
lol where do i get 1
15. TrO77in - April 13, 2010 1:54 PM
Fake n Gay.
16. Jess - April 13, 2010 1:59 PM
I'm gonna go ahead and call this:
If you are above 5'5" this will be extremely uncomfortable to keep put on without feeling like you are doing a squat the whole time.
17. Tr077in - April 13, 2010 2:16 PM
@16 Lawl..What i told ur mum.
18. mobedda - April 13, 2010 2:16 PM
It almost looks like you have to assume a "stress position" to move anywhere. You'll get awesome abs after a while, but isn't it easier to walk?
19. Tr077in - April 13, 2010 2:37 PM
@18 Tell ur mom no.
20. Mario - April 13, 2010 2:58 PM
time to chop off your legs Japanese lol, or is walk getting that difficult lately?
21. Made For Jousting! - April 13, 2010 3:09 PM
Give two contestants long poles, and let's see who can knock one another off! Oh, and I do believe I heard the guy mumbling there was a weight limit, so besides being too tall, many of fat Americans will be too heavy! And yeah, I bet rough terrain is a no-no too! :-)
22. Greenman - April 13, 2010 3:45 PM
I'm in love with that Asian lady in the picture up there.
23. Remegy - April 13, 2010 6:13 PM
wow, those people look SO cool!
24. John - April 13, 2010 8:27 PM
People are falling for their tricks. They are only demonstrating them being used by humans in order to dance around their true purpose... Light weight assault robots--as bipedal movement currently is limited only to heavy armored models and specifically designed jumping bots.
25. Khephran - April 13, 2010 8:29 PM
The reason it is so small is because Asian people made it lol
26. joemama - April 13, 2010 8:34 PM
@22> really? after 22 posts? cmon i know there are more asiaphiles in here
27. blueZorro - April 13, 2010 9:37 PM
Kick ass. Make them invisible so I can look like I'm riding an invisible mobility thing.
28. Andre - April 14, 2010 1:02 AM
Im starting to think that Japanese people are retards.
29. Monkat - April 14, 2010 2:37 AM
Oh, Japan! You're so silly!
But seriously, this thing is just a waste of energy (gas/electricity), money, and time. If it were faster, it might be a substitute for short travel distances, but it looks like you can walk faster, and get some exercise while you're at it.
30. random - April 14, 2010 3:02 AM
the movement seems really smooth. thinking sci-fi wise, make it into a skate board, and that would be one cool ride. how about cars? perfect parallel parking is not long a dream.
31. ray ban wayfarer - April 14, 2010 5:25 AM
WTF.....real men dont read books
32. Claire - April 14, 2010 12:32 PM
Oh good, we can have chicken fights with these:
http://208.106.181.133/_media/imgs/articles2/a96724_a473_murata_seiko_chan2.jpg
33. fish - April 15, 2010 3:23 PM
Perfect for sports officials. Referees of the future rejoice.
34. witchyone8180 - April 15, 2010 6:19 PM
Why? Seriously. WHY?
35. Jay Green - April 15, 2010 6:43 PM
They are getting us ready for a Zombie invasion not a Robot one, the Flu will mutate due to Flu injections and the Governments of the World know it.
36. Moto1 - April 15, 2010 9:53 PM
I can't wait for freestyle motocross on these things! Awesome!
37. ClusterFUCK - April 16, 2010 1:59 AM
Ahh mann this maybe a stupid as hell... but i think it would be fun to fuck around on! haha.... its the people in suits that make it look gay....
38. ciao - April 16, 2010 6:27 PM
I like to get an 8 mobile, ssshhhh don't tell my vespa
39. Bernard - April 17, 2010 6:30 PM
It should have a cellphone function and an mp3 player and then it should turn into a ghetto blaster when you carry it on your shoulders, and maybe also turn into a chainsaw to cut trees so it could be more useful then to just get you from place to place provided your pathway is smooth from point a to point b.
40. Raptor Assasin - April 17, 2010 10:46 PM
Yes, we Americans may be fat and retarded, but the Japanese love to use their superior brainpower to invent genius shit and then promptly misplaced its use. This technology could revolutionize the automobile and wheelchairs, but what are they using it for?
ZOOMING AROUND THE FUCKING HONDA FACTORY!
However.....Bitches get free rides on my personal transport-er thing-y.
41. Raptor Assasin - April 17, 2010 10:48 PM
*misplace
Happy spell-tards?
42. will - April 19, 2010 1:02 PM
as if people arent fat enough. Im sure in like 10 years everyone will have 1 and we'll ALL be as fat as can be. Like in that movie about earth dying or something and they have to live on a ship. Just sad. $50 says either japan or china made this
43. Cardy - April 20, 2010 2:05 AM
@42 Yea, Wall•E. Don't act like you haven't seen it...
44. ANIBAL - April 27, 2010 12:49 PM
HEY!!! WHY ARE YOU SO NEGATIVE PEOPLE, IT COULD HELP TO SAFE MONEY, NEVER WORRY ABOUT PARKING, AND OF COURSE IS ELECTRIC, SO DONT CAUSE POLLUTION, PLUS WITH THE HEAVY TRAFFIC YOU COULD SAVE TIME FOR DOING OTHER THINGS INSTEAD OF GETTING ATTASK ON TRAFFIC!!! SO TRY TO BE CREATIVE AND POSITIVE AND DONT SEE JUST THE BAD SIDE OF ALL, REMEMBER IF WE JUST ADJUST AT WHAT WE HAVE, INVENTIONS WILL NEVER APPEAR OR BECOME REAL, SO TRY TO BE CREATIVE AND MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE!!!
45. Gerson Varela - April 27, 2010 3:20 PM
Me parece interesante el movimiento de la rueda en tres direcciones, es un buen problema de cinematica. Felicitaciones!!!