Honda U3-X indoor mobility vehicle

October 30, 1:35 PMLA Auto ExaminerMichael Anson

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In the U.S. we know about the Segway personal mobility device, but at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, Honda showed off its technology by displaying the U3-X indoor mobility vehicle. The U3-X is tiny, about the size of an oversize tennis racket and has a fold down seat.

While the Segway uses two wheels and four gyroscopes, the Honda U3-X has one large wheel which the machine balances for you. Driving the U3-X is easy: the driver leans forward to move forward and leans backward to move backwards. Never fear, drivers can move diagonally as well.

The key to the U3-X is the Honda Omni Traction Drive system. The tiny vehicle has a lithium battery that is said to power the vehicle for up to 60 minutes at a whopping top speed of four miles per hour.

Honda started in business building motorcycles, built its reputation building automobiles and now shows off the company’s technological prowess with the U3-X indoor mobility vehicle. No word is available yet on whether or not this vehicle will ever be built or, if so, ever imported into the U.S.