I just want to know if they guarantee the rider won't fall over.

TOKYO, Japan, September 24, 2009 - Pursuing the concept of "harmony with people" Honda has developed a new personal mobility technology and unveiled U3-X, a compact experimental device that fits comfortably between the rider's legs, to provide free movement in all directions just as in human walking - forward, backward, side-to-side, and diagonally. Honda will continue research and development of the device including experiments in a real-world environment to verify the practicality of the device.




Read more, see video here:
Honda Worldwide | September 24, 2009 "Honda Develops New Personal Mobility Device With the Goal of Co-existing in Harmony with People -- World's first drive system that enables movement in all directions --"

It's really weird, and yet, it's really cool. I don't know what the ultimate goal of that thing is, but I was thinking of my back pain and mobility. And other disabled people. Obviously, it would be a bit difficult to deal with if one were paralyzed or had no use of their legs. Can't stand up to get on the thing.

But there could be almost a folding tricycle type unit that could take the place of a bulky wheelchair. Making most any car able to carry disabled folks AND their mode of transportation.

Like combining the Honda U3-X with this Rollator walker:


Drive Winnie Lite Supreme 3 Wheel Rollator Walker from ActiveForever.com

Truth is, I want one of these, for adults:


Anyway, what do you all think about that Honda Mobility Device? What would you use it for?

 

for elderly and handicapped i think it's a great device. but it still needs to be able to
climb stairs.. in japan it is not very friendly to people in wheelchairs, baby strollers,
people with bad backs, who can't walk without crutches, etc.

try traveling in that condition in japanese rush hour trains and subways. people will
walk over you or give you nasty looks. bump you away from the flowing traffic of people.

im glad to see some japanese folks are willing to try things to help those in need.

 

Where is the seat? Who can sit on that for longer than 5 minutes before getting a self inflicted wedgie?

 

Check the video. The black area at the top, both sides of that black circle pop UP, one for each butt-cheek.

 

I don't know if it's intended for disabled, though. It certainly wouldn't help if one didn't have balance and fell over.

But maybe all this technology CAN be used somehow, for helping people get around. People that have problems with mobility.

I've seen some folks toddling along with the walkers, and they do NOT have the ability to ride on one of those things, by itself.

I also noticed the other day with a shorter shopping cart, while leaning over it (because of my back pain) that it was SO much easier to walk if most of my body weight was on the cart. I mean, it was PAINLESS walking. My legs could move fairly freely. They were mostly dangling.

Now, even if I lost a bunch of weight, I still won't get down to 50 pounds, LOL. I still won't be able to defy gravity by partially floating. But something that supports a lot of my body weight makes walking very easy. And leaning over the cart let my back (lower back) dangle and stretch, instead of it being squashed by my upper body weight.

Getting rid of that body weight squashing the back, that was KEY. For me and my body pain.

I've been trying to figure out some kind of apparatus that would do that for anyone. Take the weight off the legs, off some of the back, etc. Something that won't tip over.

It would also be great for very overweight people. I know I couldn't strap on an extra 150 pounds and be expected to walk around the block. I'd probably just collapse on the spot.

But if there was something else to support a lot of the weight, it would allow many more people to get out and get around. Broken legs, knee surgery, hip replacement, arthritis, spine problems, balance problems, extra weight.

I'd like to see more people be able to get around that have problems getting around.

 

come to think of it, i think honda was making something for the handicapped. it was like a robot with a seat and you just kinda sit/or put your weight on it and it does most of the walking for you.

considering asimo (?) can be built i dont see why not! :D

 

I remember that, it looked like an assist "robot walker" meant to give an additional boost to people with weakened legs (the elderly perhaps). Basically it was a seat with two powered legs that stick close to the user's biological legs.

That was a cool idea - especially for climbing stairs.