Honda has developed a personal mobility technology, U3-X, that resembles a futuristic unicycle. The experimental device fits between the rider's legs. It provides free movement in all directions -- forward, backward, side-to-side, and even diagonally. Honda is researching the device - including experiments in a real-world environment - to verify the practicality of the device.
The US-X includes an incline sensor detects the incline of the device based on the weight shift of the rider and determines the rider's intention in terms of the direction and speed. It also includes a HOT Drive System, which is an omni-directional driving wheel system. The technology was developed from Honda's ASIMO robot project.
Honda plans to showcase the U3-X at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009, which begins October 24, 2009 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.
