Honda’s Self-Balancing Unicycle: A Segway For Sitters

Comfort and safety are the top features when it comes to buying a new car, so in an attempt to make its U3-X personal mobility device more consumer-friendly, Honda has improved both those aspects in its new Uni-Cub concept.

Unlike the Segway, the self-balancing U3-X was more like a unicycle, allowing riders to sit and steer without using their hands by simply leaning. While it worked as advertised, the concept was far from ready for primetime. But Honda’s Uni-Cub could be.

Behind the large drive wheel there’s now a smaller wheel which aids in steering and stability, and riders now have the option of manoeuvring the device with a joystick, in addition to just moving their upper body. And for added comfort, the Uni-Cub has also been blessed with some much needed armrests. Like the U3-X there are currently no plans to actually put the Uni-Cub into production, though Honda clearly sees some potential here or it wouldn’t be sinking so much money into developing these prototypes. [Youtube via TechCrunch]