Honda's U3-X unicycle really for robots
Honda on Wednesday unveiled the U3-X, a stool with a unique directional wheel system that allows it to travel diagonally, as well as right, left, forward, and backward.
It's basically a robotic unicycle.
The device is able to readjust itself so that instead of riders having to constantly balance themselves, the robotic unicycle does the compensating.
Honda pointed out in its unveiling video that the U3-X's seat is slightly higher than an average person's waistline, forcing riders to jump up slightly to sit on it and place their feet on a foot rest. This elevated height of the robotic unicycle leaves riders at relative eye level with passing pedestrians while in motion, according to Honda.
It's a nice touch. A common complaint among people in wheelchairs are the social and psychological effects of literally being looked down upon while traveling the world in a sitting position. But requiring the rider to be able to hold upright while on a backless seat clearly disqualifies the U3-X as a wheelchair substitute for many.
And in this age of rising obesity, who among the fitness-conscious is really going to ride the streets on a robotic stool when they can get a little chance at some exercise during their busy day by walking?
It's just one of those things you know no one is really going to buy. So why, then, did Honda unveil the U3-X robotic unicycle?
Like the Segway, the U3-X is more about showing off an engineering breakthrough than selling an actual product. In this case, Honda contributes to the ongoing discourse on mobility among roboticists.
The legs vs. wheels debate among roboticists has been going on for years. A third option, the tank tread system, has been introduced in recent years as a solution for rugged combat robots like iRobot's Packbot and Vecna Robotics' BEAR. Still others have looked to nature for locomotion ideas as with the SINTEF snake and the dolphin-like Seaglider.
Honda's HOT Drive System (Honda Omni Traction Drive System), the omni-directional wheel Honda claims is the "world's first wheel structure which enables movement in all directions" adds to this ongoing discourse on mobility.
Note Honda's word choice in describing their system.
The U3-X is not the first multi-directional rolling robot and Honda knows this. Carnegie Mellon, for example, unveiled the Ballbot in 2006. But the method Honda uses--which includes synchronizing small motor-controlled wheels to make the U3-X multi-directional--is unique.
Honda's U3-X also includes balance control technology that allows the device to respond to how its load shifts and readjust balance accordingly while on the go.
"The incline sensor detects the incline of the device based on the weight shift of the rider and determines the rider's intention in terms of the direction and speed. Based on the data, precise control is applied to return the device to an upright position, which achieves smooth and agile movements and simple operation by weight shift only," Honda said in a statement.
The device will be more fully demonstrated at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009 in October.
In a software-driven world, it's easy to forget about the nuts and bolts. Whether it's cars, robots, personal gadgetry or industrial machines, Candace Lombardi examines the moving parts that keep our world rotating. A journalist who divides her time between the United States and the United Kingdom, Lombardi has written about technology for the sites of The New York Times, CNET, USA Today, MSN, ZDNet, Silicon.com, and GameSpot. E-mail her at candacelombardi@gmail.com. She is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not a current employee of CNET. 
It's not a pretty sight for you to appear so dense. Honda's engineers used information gathered from the experiences of wheelchair users as a springboard for determining the ergonomics of the U3X. Just because wheelchair-bound disabled persons can't use the device doesn't mean their life experiences aren't applicable for other applications not specifically directed towards them.
Many manufacture a car today: A U3-X or Asimo few can do.
YES it would never be used for what it is shown. Even a schoolboy won't play with it for over 15 mins let aside the person who 'might' need such a automatic-cycle.
... but for for one such stuff may just be enjoyed for the fun of engineering!
I do not work for Honda or have any other such conflict of interest.
Many people have difficulty either with actual walking, balancing or something to do with the exertion of walking etc. but they are not paralyzed at all.
Its entirely arbitrary to assume that every person in a wheel chair must have totally or even partially paralyzed legs.
For example:
-spine or or other bone problems so that while the person has muscle control, impact from walking in cushioned shoes causes them pain as does incidental movement you probably don't even notice when walking.
-heart problems so that the exertion of walking cannot be undertaken or not reliably
-people with MS have variable control issue with limbs - but they an still do things like drive a car, and they can walk, they just need help or would be far freer or more comfortable with help -a and something like this is perfect
-the elderly who may just generally be able to get around as much
-chronic fatigue or other exhausting illnesses such as cancer
- anyone who for whatever reasons uses a scooter or a wheelchair and is not totally paralyzed is severely limited in where they can go because unless you are wealthy its just not feasible to take toe wheelchair or scooter places, and f you are dependent on public services to do this, a single trip can have to be scheduled months in advance and take 10 times the time and trouble it would take a normal person to do the same thing.
Cruelly, insurance companies or others are usually dismissive of such non paralyzed person's needs since unless they are totally immoblie or paralyzed.
How petty, senselessly mean and stupid is that?!
An aid like this could reduce a lot of unnecessary suffering and create freedom for people like this who now are extremely limited n how much they can walk or move around on their own. It could easily have minor modifications or optional configurations available to for example have wider or different foot placement and some other way to hold on to it.
A major benefit is that in comparison a wheelchair or scooter is very time consuming, costly and unwieldy to get to most places - this invention is small and compact and apparently light weight and could be stored or moved in a regular car or even on public transportation.
In addition to the very important aspect the article mentions - that of having a way to not be lower than eye level compared to everyone else - this aid also allows the disabled to not be at the receiving end as a source of irritation to other people because of a large ungainly wheelchair or scooter.
If any of you posters had noticed the title of the article said its for robots. In other words its a tech demo. Honda's robots will interface with the internet and find your comments and come for you because you said its useless. ha ha ha
i like your comment best
A one minute video search will find you videos like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pkn8Ko-q74
Seriously, how dumb do you think Honda is that they'd fake something like this?
Why can't they come up with something that can at least stand on its own when turned off.
"technology only (i.e. to prove that it works as advertised).
2. Any versions that might be developed for the mass-market will surely be available in various design
configurations for various user requirements (i.e. perhaps with a larger seat with back and other
restraints for the disabled).
- by September 27, 2009 7:20 AM PDT
- Once again the Jetson's have foreshadowed current innovation. Remember Rosie the Robot? She was a unicycle. Not sure if I can post a link here but...
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