The mobility movement that’s spreading across the industry isn’t limited to city streets.
Honda unveiled the UNI-CUB today, a lithium ion powered personal mobility device built for hallways rather than expressways.
The project stems from Honda’s r&d program for mobility products. Honda spokeswoman Robyn Eagles, who was zipping around the stage with ease on a UNI-CUB, called the device a cousin of Honda’s advanced Asimo humanoid robot.
The intuitive UNI-CUB shows how the creative strain in the mobility space will lead to an array of imaginative products, whether they’re small transporters such as UNI-CUB or autonomous shuttles such as Navia.
Navia, built by French tech company Induct Technology, made its U.S. debut at the 2014 International CES. Navia holds 10 people and can be summoned by smartphone or make rounds on a preset schedule.
The 40-pound UNI-CUB has no pedals and relies on subtle hip movements to maneuver it.
The learning curve is quick, Eagles said, adding that it would be difficult to fall off. When UNI-CUB senses instability, it sends out a warning beep.
Honda has no plans to sell it.
So where would somebody need a transporter such as the UNI-CUB?
Eagles said 20 of the contraptions are on loan to a Japanese museum where museum visitors can glide on UNI-CUBs when they get tired of walking.
