Sony patents skateboard with Segway spin

Drawing of Sony's new skateboard

(Credit: NewScientist.com)

A patent filing shows Sony may have its eye on building the younger, hipper version of the Segway scooter.

In November the company filed a patent for a skateboard, "which can travel in the front and back direction and which can turn by right and left wheels rotated when a rider riding on a step-board moves the position of rider's balance from the center of a vehicle base."

Like the Segway, Sony's futuristic skateboard would be steered by riders shifting their weight. The patent also says the board's electric motors would turn off automatically when the rider steps off, or, perhaps more realistically, falls off.

[gg4rest]

Not a Patent, just an application

Saying that Sony patented this is incorrect. This is simply an application. They are attempting to patent it.

Think of it like a loan application. You apply for a loan with a loan application, but that doesn't automatically mean you will obtain that loan. And with a patent application, it can take 2 to 5 years to obtain the patent.

[rottcrazy]

Also, the application wasn't filed in November

In addition to this only being a patent application, the article says that the application was filed in November. when actually the application published in the U.S. in November. It was actually originally filed in Japan in June of 2003.