Segways are nerdy and awkward, there’s no way around it. This solowheel, a “self balancing electric unicycle” is just as nerdy as a Segway but slightly less awkward. The Solowheel only weighs 20 pounds and comes in a relatively small package and is definitely no where near as unwieldy as a Segway. Plus, it doesn’t come with the reputation of mall cops and weirdos. It’s supposed to come out in March for $US1,500.
Yeah,.. looks like it would be uncomfortable on the knees after awhile. Plus the turn circle leaves me feeling it would be dangerous for changing direction quickly!!
Doesn’t look like it’s got much space for battery power. Might need a backpack or something for extra juice. You have to wonder whether these smart engineering types could benefit from teeming up with a couple of artists to help them introduce a funky/cool factor into these products to make their value more apparent to the wider public. It’s just not enough to have something that works well, people have to WANT to use it.
What everyone seems to have missed… how do you get on/mount up?? They carefully avoid any mention of this in their promo material, I imagine most riders start by hanging on to a pole for balance.
“Now you too can feel like you’re perpetually falling over!”.
But seriously, this design looks like it would kick you the f**k off if you hit bumpy ground. I mean, the Segway gives you handlebars for your own balance as much as the device’s.
If your counter argument is “what about skateboards”, well, a) they lose momentum in bumpy ground cause they’re not powered and b) the flat surface means you can dismount very quickly and easily.
Just to provide the facts, Segways do not depend on the handlebar to achieve balance. The handlebar is primarily used to change direction. They do help the rider maintain some degree of stability even when completely stationary or when heavily braking.
luke
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 9:45 AMless awkward?
Nodeity
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:58 AMYeah,.. looks like it would be uncomfortable on the knees after awhile. Plus the turn circle leaves me feeling it would be dangerous for changing direction quickly!!
MrTaco
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:45 PMWhy not just add a stem for a seat and make it a proper unicycle, so you can sit while you roll?
Matt Larritt
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:45 PMNodeity – If there was ever a situation where u needed to turn this thing quickly, it’d probably be safer and simple just to step off it…
Nodeity
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 2:28 PMSo no riding on crowded footpaths then.. :]
ozoneocean
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 1:14 PMDoesn’t look like it’s got much space for battery power. Might need a backpack or something for extra juice.
You have to wonder whether these smart engineering types could benefit from teeming up with a couple of artists to help them introduce a funky/cool factor into these products to make their value more apparent to the wider public. It’s just not enough to have something that works well, people have to WANT to use it.
Paul
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 1:21 PMWhy not just walk… seriously.
Devz
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 7:20 PMagreed. +1 (legs don’t cost an extra $1500USD)
Peter Bowring
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 5:25 PMWhat everyone seems to have missed… how do you get on/mount up?? They carefully avoid any mention of this in their promo material, I imagine most riders start by hanging on to a pole for balance.
Perhaps most will finish their ride the same way?
you're wrong
Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 8:31 AMwatch the vid. 1 minute in it shows a guy getting on.
RichardH
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 5:37 PM“Now you too can feel like you’re perpetually falling over!”.
But seriously, this design looks like it would kick you the f**k off if you hit bumpy ground. I mean, the Segway gives you handlebars for your own balance as much as the device’s.
If your counter argument is “what about skateboards”, well, a) they lose momentum in bumpy ground cause they’re not powered and b) the flat surface means you can dismount very quickly and easily.
I2man
Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 5:25 PMJust to provide the facts, Segways do not depend on the handlebar to achieve balance. The handlebar is primarily used to change direction. They do help the rider maintain some degree of stability even when completely stationary or when heavily braking.
Steve
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 7:46 PMNo handlebars, no seat… Since when did walking become so unacceptable to people?
Keatsy
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 10:45 AMI think it’s a great machine . I travel 12 km to work which is impractical to walk, but Solowheel would be an alternative “green” option to the car.
Hugh
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 7:21 PMhow can i get it? i am living at Syd now. i am very interest on this solo wheel