Honda re-invents the wheel to unveil latest mobility device

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has unveiled a new experimental personal mobility device that fits comfortably between the rider's legs to provide 360 degree movement.

When walking, we perform forward, backward, side-to-side, and diagonal movements, the latter of which are difficult to achieve with a standard wheel, but Honda's latest experimental technology, the U3-X, is also capable of this.

The rider can adjust speed and direction of the device, move, turn and stop in all directions simply by shifting their upper bodyweight.

[B]Utilising ASIMO technologies[/B]

Honda has drawn upon advanced technologies used in the humanoid robot, ASIMO and benefits from the extensive study of human balance.

Honda's balance control technology enables ASIMO to stand, walk and run in a controlled manner. This technology has been developed for the U3-X - to detect a shift in the rider's bodyweight to adjust the direction and speed of the device. Based on the incline sensor data, precise control is applied to return the device to an upright position, which achieves smooth and agile movements and simple operation using weight shift only.

[B]Re-inventing the wheel[/B]

The U3-X also uses technologies from Honda's omni-directional driving wheel system (HOT Drive System) which enables movement in all directions, including right and left and diagonal, thanks to many small, motor-controlled wheels that are connected in-line to form one large-diameter wheel.

By moving the large-diameter wheel, the device moves forward and backward, and by moving small-diameter wheels, the device moves side-to-side. Combining these movements means the device moves diagonally too.

The U3-X's design focuses on the user as well as the other people around it. User-friendliness was key, so the reach from the device footrest to the ground is small, and the device places the rider at roughly the same eye level as other pedestrians.

[B]Compact and innovative packaging[/B]

The U3-X has a light-weight monocoque body, with the foldable seat, footrests and body cover housed within the body of the device, making it highly compact, portable and convenient.

[B][U]Key specifications[/B][/U]

Length × Width × Height (mm): 315 × 160 × 650

Weight: Less than 10kg

Battery Type: Lithium ion battery

Operation time: 1 hour

The compact device is an experimental technology at this stage and Honda will continue research and development, including testing in a real-world situations, to confirm the practicality of the technology.

Honda is striving to propose the next-generation of mobility which expands the joy and fun of mobility. The U3-X has been developed based on the concept of "harmony with people".

Honda has been conducting robotics research since 1986, including ASIMO, walking assist devices and U3-X, at the Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Fundamental Technology Research Center in Wako, Saitama, Japan.

Honda will showcase the U3-X at Tokyo Motor Show 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan from 24 October. There are no confirmed plans for sales of the device as it is still at an experimental stage.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090925230225435.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090925230244417.jpg[/IMG]

Credits: JRC