Honda
Honda is taking practical reality Mobile River . go down to debut at SXSW 2024 , the Honda XR Mobility Experience combines VR headsets with the automaker ’s Uni - One “ personal mobility twist . ”
First show in 2023 in Japan , the Uni - One is like a more comfortable Segway . It ’s self - balancing and has two ride heights . At its lower pinnacle , which puts the user roughly at eye degree with seat people , it ’s controlled via a joystick . But bring up it up to the taller ride height , and users can move the Uni - One in all directions or deform around hands - free simply by shift their weightiness .
baron occur from what the company calls the Honda Omni Traction ( HOT ) driving force system . Two wheels furnish drive force-out , while motors read onboard detector to determine the desired direction of travel based on the user ’s strength . Four unpowered auxiliary rack help stabilize the electric chair when it ’s in its low position . The 154 - pound Uni - One has a top speed of 3.7 mph but attain its maximum range of a function of five mi at a steady 2.5 miles per hour .
Honda thinks the Uni - One could be a playfulness toy for use at amusement venue . In one 2023 demonstration at Japan ’s Suzuka track , the car manufacturer couple the Uni - One with augment world technical school , have user navigate through scenes exhibit on a tab . Now , it ’s ditch the tablet and countenance user go totally pass - free with the XR Mobility Experience .
SXSW attendant will have the opportunity to lather into a Uni - One , put on a VR headset , and either experience “ the peaceful experience of floating in the sky or the exhilarate impression of gliding along a half - piping path , ” according to a Honda military press exit . The experience may prove exhilarating , but there ’s no account for how user will count doing it .
Honda claims to be work toward U.S. commercialization of the XR Mobility Experience or something alike . The car maker believes it would be a skilful fit for venues with turgid , unlittered spaces , such as theme parks or even shopping center , where users could , for example , play racing games in which they navigate a track in Uni - Ones .
Honda has always been in particular concerned in forms of mobility beyond car . It started out make motorcycle and now invent everything from lawn mowers to private reverse lightning . A twist like the Uni - One certainly fits that ism , although vehicles likeHonda ’s coming air of EVswill probably continue the company ’s core business .
