OK-Go Rides Honda Uni-Cub In Latest Video

I’ll admit that despite my distaste for most of pop culture, OK-Go videos like this and this are a lot of fun to watch. Their latest music video for the song “I Won’t Let You Down” sees the singers spend the entire time riding the Honda Uni-Cub βeta, and it’s just as fun as their previous efforts.

Originally revealed in 2012 and then slimmed down in the βeta version revealed last year, the Uni-Cub is an interesting exercise in personal transportation. It has about 6 km/3.7 miles of driving range and a top speed of 6 KPH, which is just slightly faster than walking speed. However it is incredibly easy and fun to operate according to many of the reviews I’ve read, and as OK-Go shows the design presents a number of fun opportunities.

Thinking more practically, the Uni-Cub (or something like it) could potentially replaced wheelchairs or walkers for people who have trouble getting around. They could also be used for unguided tours, or even to rent for tired travellers who need to get from one side of the airport but want to give their weary feet a rest.

Or maybe all the Uni-Cub will ever be remembered for is that one time a hipster band made a kinda cool music video with that Japanese Segway thing.

Honda Uni-Cub Is A Futuristic Personal Mobility Device

The world’s roads only continue to get more and more congested, and the day of massive personal automobiles may come to a close sooner than you think. Honda is preparing for the future with a second-generation version of its personal mobility device, the Uni-Cub. But traditional cars shouldn’t feel too threatened just yet.

The Uni-Cub is a really, really short-range transportation device, with enough power from its lithium-ion battery for just 3.7 miles of driving at a top speed of 3.7 mph. That is only slightly faster than walking speed, which wouldn’t be so bad if the range wasn’t similarly limited. I went for a run yesterday and covered almost twice as much distance in the same time. The new version is smaller and lighter than the original.

Still, in countries like China and Japan where traditional cars spend more time idlHonda Uni-Cub Is A Futuristic Personal Mobility Deviceing in traffic than actually driving, personal mobility devices seem like an inevitability. Cities like Beijing have already taken steps to limit automobile traffic in the city limits, but people are still going to need a way to get around the city besides public transit. These people pods will also be more affordable, so the rising middle class in China and India might be able to afford it

Honda joins the likes of GM in thinking that personal mobility pods will have an important place in the cities of the future, but what say you? Will people-moving pods become the norm in the mega-cities of the future?

Source: Honda

Another Look at Honda's UNI-CUB - VIDEO

Another look at the Honda UNI-CUB:

Honda unveils UNI-CUB electric personal mobility device; evolution of the UX-3

the new UNI-CUB. Click to enlarge.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the new battery-electric UNI-CUB personal mobility device. Featuring a compact design and comfortable saddle, UNI-CUB is designed to offer the same freedom of movement in all directions that a person enjoys while walking.
Representing the evolution of the U3-X personal mobility device that Honda announced in 2009 (earlier post), UNI-CUB features Honda‘s proprietary balance control technology and an omni-directional driving wheel system: Honda Omni Traction (HOT) Drive System. These technologies allow the rider to control speed, move in any direction, turn and stop, all simply by shifting his or her weight; the system is designed to provide an omni-directional freedom of movement similar to human walking.. Since the rider can freely move forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, he or she can quickly and easily maneuver among other people.

Image of HOT Drive System. Click to enlarge.

UNI-CUB has a two-wheel configuration with a minimal wheelbase. The front wheel features the Honda Omni Traction Drive System that Honda first announced in 2009. The rear wheel moves laterally to facilitate turning. By leveraging the different rotational speeds of the front and rear wheel treads during lateral movements, UNI-CUB can move forwards and backwards, side-to-side and diagonally and also turn in place, making possible quick, nimble movement.
When the rider is using weight shift control, UNI-CUB’s incline sensor detects the direction in which the rider is leaning, allowing UNI-CUB to calculate the direction and speed intended by the rider. And touch panel control via smartphone and other devices is another convenient control option.
UNI-CUB’s compact saddle-style packaging makes it easy for the rider’s legs to reach the ground and maintains eye-level height with other pedestrians. This configuration promotes harmony between the rider and others, letting the rider travel freely and comfortably inside facilities and among moving people, according to Honda.
UNI-CUB features a swappable lithium-ion battery, and has a range of 6 km (3.7 miles) with a top speed of 6 km/h.

UNI-CUB and rider. Click to enlarge.		UX-3 and rider. Click to enlarge.

Starting in June 2012, Honda will jointly conduct demonstration testing of UNI-CUB with Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. In addition to testing the feasibility of using UNI-CUB indoors, this project will explore the practical applications of the device in a wide range of environments in Japan and other countries.
The balance control technology of UNI-CUB is part of the Honda Robotics family of technologies, which originates with Honda’s research into humanoid robots, including the world-famous ASIMO.
Going forward, Honda says it will continue its proactive research and development of next-generation mobility technologies.



Source: Green Car Congress