Honda Unveils Electric Unicycle

Honda Motor Co. says a rider can easily maneuver its electric Uni-Cub scooter through a crowd by leaning forward, back or from side to side.

The unicycle-like device is a new iteration of the U3-X mobility device Honda unveiled at the Tokyo auto show in 2009. Both use proprietary balance control technology Honda developed as part of its Asimo robot program.

The Uni-Cub also employs the latest version of the Honda omnidirectional drive wheel system pioneered in the U3-X. The new cycle adds a small rear wheel to facilitate directional changes.

Honda says the Uni-Cub is intended to blend in with normal foot traffic by positioning its rider's eyes at about the same height as a pedestrian and offering freedom of movement similar to walking. The unit uses incline sensors to estimate intended changes in direction or speed.

The Uni-Cub is equipped with a swappable lithium-ion battery. Honda says the scooter can travel about 4 miles on a charge and reach a top speed of 4 mph. Honda will begin field tests of the Uni-Cub in June at Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation to gauge the device's practicality.