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Honda Introduces U3-X Personal Mobility Unicycle

Nerd Grind — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:50:44 +0000

Honda has come up with a unicycle called the U3-X. The device is intended to aid elderly people to be more mobile.

The device has an omin-directional driving system that integrates a large wheel that moves forward and backward, and smaller wheels that move from side to side. The wheels can even produce diagonal movement.

The U3-X weighs 22 pounds, and operates for an hour on a single charge to the lithium-ion batteries.

In the video it appears that the seat is too small, combined with tiny foot pedals, makes the U3-X very uncomfortable to ride, as opposed to the Segway which allows for a standing position.

The commercial success of the U3-X seems unlikely, much as it has been for the Segway, but eventually these device concepts should lead to something far more useful.

James Bond Film Warns About Fresh Water Shortage

Nerd Grind — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:30:05 +0000

In the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace, a villain tries to take control of fresh water around the world. It turns out that is a very real threat.

Don’t worry though, back in March 2008, Dean Kamen, the founder of DEKA research, who invented the Segway, announced his new invention he calls Slingshot (See video below). The Slingshot uses no filters, but rather purifies water using vapor compression distillation. Kamen says he company plans to put the machines into production, and if they are used around the world they can eliminate 50% of human disease which is caused by water born pathogens. The Slingshot will cost between $1,000 to $2,000.

It is designed to supply a village with 1,000 liters/day of clean water.
You can use any water source, ocean, puddle, chemical waste site, hexavalent chrome, arsenic, poison, 50 gallon drum of urine.
Vapor compression distillation is not new. Doing it in such an incredibly efficient way such that it takes only 2 percent of the power of convention distillers is new.
The are no filters to replace, no charcoal, no anything disposable (just distillation).
The Slingshot (as its called) can use half the waste heat (450 watts) from a sterling engine electrical generator (prototype also being designed by Kamen’s company) to boil its water.
The heat put into the water is recovered with a "counter-flow heat exchanger" and recycled to heat the next batch of water (that is part of the novel bit).
Slingshot will be less then 60 lbs.
The prototype slingshot was hand-built for $100K. The goal is to get production units down to $1,000 to $2,000.
The sterling engine, used as an electrical generator, can produce about 200 watts of power (it will never be more then 20 percent efficient) and 800 watts of waste heat (the waste heat that slingshot uses).
Later sources say the sterling engine can generate 1 kilowatt or enough power for 70 high-efficiency light bulbs.
The sterling engine can run on anything that burns, propane or even cow dung.
The slingshot is a David and Goliath reference aimed at putting water and power back in the hands of the individuals.

Segway gives birth to mutant unicycle baby

Nerd Grind — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:15:02 +0000

What would happen if the Segway and the roaming circus hada baby? This beautiful, beautiful monstrosity.

The Focus Designs SBU works in a similar way to it’s bizarre cousin. Gyroscopes sense minor variations in body shift and adjust direction accordingly. The SBU may, however, be even more dorky than the ubiquitous Segway. They are set to be $1,50 so Mark Wahlberg, start saving now.

Segway Polo – Gimme A Break

Nerd Grind — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:45:50 +0000

When will they admit that the Segway is just plain dumb? We keep getting hit with these stupid employments of this useless transport. Witness Segway Polo. ‘Nuff said.

Bleak Future

Nerd Grind — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:39:04 +0000

Reminiscent of the bomb shelters people built in their back yards in the 50s, another version of Gloom & Doom from Suzuki in the form of this encapsulated Segway birthed from its mothership, to protect us from the toxins produced through pollution (or are they trying to get rid of those lemons?).

Hybrid + Segways

Nerd Grind — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:21:20 +0000

Meet the Opel Flextreme with a storage compartment for two Segway scooters. One has to wonder – why?

Look, Ma! No Hands!

Nerd Grind — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:13:09 +0000

Ulrich Kahlert has invented a Handsfree Transporter that functions much like the Segway but, of course, without the need to use one’s hands. I remember the freedom I felt riding my 10-speed with my hands held high, as well as the times when an ill-placed obstacle sent me flying into space. Almost, I’d say, as it looks like this model is about to do. If she weren’t smiling, I’d imagine she were grasping for something to save her scantily-clothed hide. But, it it works, it does have a leg up on the segway (pun might be intended), because there are many instances where having ones hands free would be a distinct advantage. Which is my "duh" statement for the day.

Police Get Geeky

Nerd Grind — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:49:17 +0000

I’m all for police receiving the tools they need to make their jobs safer and more effective. I also think they should be made to look formidable, menacing even, when necessary. These Street Smart Police Units, however, or modified Segways, kind of make them look like geeks on wheels. Were I a hardened criminal, I’d likely get caught as I was rolling on the ground, laughing myself to tears. Of course, that could be the idea, but I sort of doubt it.

Easy-Glider

Nerd Grind — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:05:48 +0000

I never warmed to the Segway, not that I have even seen one, and that holds true for this strange gizmo. Meet the Easy-Glider; it just won the ispo BrandNew Award. Vital specs: top speed of 12 mph,Â it has a range of 9 to 16 miles, and needs six to eight hours to recharge.

Hardly seems worth it.

Long Beach Cops use Segway to Nab Thieves

Nerd Grind — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:35:07 +0000

Long Beach copper Joe Miguez decided to use one of the two Segways the day he busted three teenage care thieves who failed to escape his Segway pursuit.

"Given that the Segway’s top speed is a non-white-knuckle 12.5mph, you might imagine the Merc could make a rapid getaway. … Miguez was able to keep the car in sight for two blocks until the Segway’s relentless progress evidently unnerved the car’s occupants, who "leaped out of the moving car to escape just moments before it jumped a curb and struck a utility pole".

Miguez quickly apprehended the 13-year-old driver, who named his two accomplices. Once the gang had been rounded up, the trio were "charged with juvenile delinquency." Slow and steady gets the job done.

NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » Segway

Honda Introduces U3-X Personal Mobility Unicycle

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James Bond Film Warns About Fresh Water Shortage

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Segway gives birth to mutant unicycle baby

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Bleak Future

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