Toyota Develops Lightweight Segway-Like Vehicle

[jpak]

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1800896/

Toyota Motor Corp. (TSE:7203) on Friday unveiled a two-wheeled electric vehicle similar to the Segway that riders stand on and control by shifting their center of gravity.

The Winglet is more compact than the Segway, with a width of just 46cm, and it weighs two-thirds less. Built in three models, the Winglet can move at speeds of up to 6kph and travel 5-10km on a one-hour battery charge.

Toyota plans field trials with the Winglet at Central Japan International Airport and two other facilities starting this fall and hopes to eventually commercialize the vehicle for movement inside large complexes like shopping malls and hospitals.

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[elocs]

1. I can see why they would do this since the Segway was such a smashing success.

Walking is really overrated anyways.

[phantom power]

3. I always figured the Segway was killed by its pricetag...

although it's also a product with a limited niche.

[elocs]

4. You're right there. It looked good on "Fraiser" with Niles on it though.

I wonder if anyone here has actually seen one in use in everyday life.

[phantom power]

5. We actually have police using them at Sky Harbor Airport.

True story. Prior to that, I think the only one I'd seen was the one Niles owned.

[Howardx]

6. the cops at our local mall use them

special police models with lights and all. god forbid they have to walk.

[Greyskye]

10. I've seen one here at work in the hallways

I work at a large site - here's the overhead view:


Once in a while I see a guy driving a Segway through the halls. Not sure what exactly his job is. :shrug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. And it's hands-free

http://news.cnet.com/segway-meet-the-toyota-winglet/


So much easier to use your cell phone while riding, but it just may beat out the ThighMaster for daily reps :P
(am picturing worse traffic clogs on the sidewalks than on the streets ith these as riders are distracted by their calls, and ignoring everyone else around them.)

[bdf]

7. A Toyota spokesman later confirmed that

Like the Segway, the Winglet has very clever software designed to ensure that it is impossible to fall off one, unless you're a complete fucktard.

[JohnWxy]

9. thank you for that image. ...made my day!

[JohnWxy]

8. check out this electric motorcycle that places both wheels side-by-side

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-05/zero-emissions-one-wheeled-motorcycle



Gulak put off college for a year (now 19, he enrolls at MIT this fall) and began building the Uno at a motorcycle shop outside Toronto. He modified the frame from a Yamaha R1, which is wider than most motorcycles, so it can house the side-by-side wheels. But he quickly realized that he was out of his depth in the electronics department: He would ride the Uno for a few seconds, and the circuitry would catch fire. So he contacted Trevor Blackwell, a robotics engineer who specializes in self-balancing software. With Blackwell’s help, Gulak equipped the Uno with a gyroscope and a control system that both keeps the rider balanced over the tires and manages the suspension.

The Uno’s two wheelchair motors should, theoretically, give it a top speed of 40 mph, but for safety’s sake, Gulak hasn’t taken it above 15 mph yet. “The only way to figure out if an alteration works is to jump on and ride the thing,” he says. “I’m pretty sure I chipped my kneecap in one crash.”

[napoleon_in_rags]

11. Wow, freaking awesome. Thanks! nt

very cool.

[Indenturedebtor]

12. Very cool but how about something that's powered by a more environmentally friendly battery

Like say... A snickers bar :shrug:

Just what we need - a bunch of morbidly obese sloths scooting around the office like Baron freaking Harkonen. Bleh.