The confluence of a growing elderly population and a booming robotics industry has made Japan the world leader in mobility innovations. I’ve written about the Winglet from Sony and the Walking Assist Device from Honda, both designed to make getting around easier for older people who need a hand. Then I saw the U3-XÂ unicycle last week and now have this nagging feeling that maybe they’ve gone too far.
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Sure, the specs are impressive. The one wheel is made up of many wheels which can change direction. The user leans in the direction they want to go (like a Segway) and the unicycle goes without using any turn ratio, forward and backward, to the side, or even diagonally. Cool. But…
It’s hard to see how a unicycle can help the mobility-impaired. The user would have to have a normal sense of balance, which is not a given for a mobility-impaired user. The seat on the U3-X is a little higher than a person’s waist, so you have to hop up to sit on it. The advantage is that the user can look standing people in the eye. But just getting there is above and beyond what a mobility-impaired person can do. And have you seen the size of the seat? Think about the people who use the motorized carts at your local supermarket, and imagine them trying to balance on the U3-X. Unless it’s a market in Japan.
So how will this machine really be useful to the elderly and mobility-impaired? First, put a wide bucket seat on it, lower it, add a basket for the stuff you want to take with you, widen the wheel base for stability… and then realize you’ve just redesigned the basic Jazzy.
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Still, I wouldn’t mind finding a U3-X under my tree this Christmas. It could be a lot of fun! There’s no word on when, or even if, this machine will be available to the public.
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It looks like a fun device – I’d like to try it.
BUT, in the above blurb, it’s stated: “The seat on the U3-X is a little higher than a person’s waist, so you have to hop up to sit on it.” Compared to the video, it doesn’t look like it’s waist high. It looks a good bit lower.
Also, what kind of surface is it made for? Could it function on the same surfaces as a Segway (outside, on sidewalks/roadways).
I would love to try it!
posted by Rich Williams on 9-28-2009 at 12:24 pm
Was the model who demonstrated it eight feet tall? In mt several trips to Japan I never met anyone who was taller than me, so they would have had to have imported her from Giantland.
First Captcha: shortly
posted by Old Geezer on 9-28-2009 at 12:32 pm
I got that information from the highlighted link:
“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.”
But it doesn’t look high in the video.
posted by Miss Cellania on 9-28-2009 at 12:48 pm
Regardless of it’s height, let’s talk liability– depending on the “handicap”, wouldn’t handicapped people be 1.) more likely to fall, 2.) less able to mitigate falls, and 3.) more likely to incur serious injuries after having fallen? That’s the beauty of the Jazzy– it’s built to be idiot proof.
I can totally see Troy McClure, star of such films as “Leper in the Backfield” and “The Contrabulous Fabtraption of Professor Horatio Hufnagel,” pushing this product.
posted by Joel on 9-28-2009 at 3:59 pm
I teach in Japan and I can tell you that kids love unicycles here. If you ever visit an elementary school you are bound to see a countless number of children criss-crossing the playgrounds on unicycles. I’m sure this is the brainchild of a group of engineers with an one eye towards the future and one eye trying to recapture their childhood.
posted by Joe on 9-29-2009 at 8:01 am