The Amazing Honda U3 X

Honda has pushed the boundaries once again. In the recent history we have all been impressed and surprised by Honda and their many other developments outside of manufacturing some of the most reliable, fuel efficient, and high performing automobiles on the market today. We have seen Honda make a fully functional robot, mechanical legs for factory workers, and even a jet airplane. However now Honda has decided to break into the personal transport device market.

In late September Honda announced the development of the U3-X. For lack of a better description, this device is like a powered, self balancing unicycle. The U3-X is reported to weigh about 22 pounds, and lasts for one hour on a single charge. When in motion, the device seems to almost float, however it is slightly more simple than that. There is one main wheel that moves forward or backward, with many tiny other wheels that move from side to side. The direction is controlled by simply shifting body weight. This is why it is able to self balance itself. Small shifts in body weight are easily compensated for.

While Honda has made the product, they have made no announcement to release it or produce it on any kind of mass level. Mainly people are excited because of the vast amount of possibilities that the U3-X opens. It is devices like this that make us check the date, and wonder if the future is here. Although it kind of makes sense. According to Back to the Future 2, in five years our cars are supposed to float, and kids will be riding around on hover boards. Maybe the U3-X is the beginning of making those fantasies a reality.