The Segway never revolutionized personal transportation the way that its creator might have hoped it would, but one Japanese inventor is looking to take another crack at it with the WalkCar.
It Doesn’t Get More Literal than the WalkCar
The name implies almost everything you need to really know about the purpose of the WalkCar. The device has a very portable design — it’s about as large as a typical laptop — which allows it to be carried with the user just about anywhere. Just throw it in your bag and you’re well on your way. “I thought, ‘what if we could just carry our transportation in our bags, wouldn’t that mean we’d always have our transportation with us to ride on?” said WalkCar creator Kuniako Saito in a recent report from Reuters.
The WalkCar is More Than Capable
The $800 mobile device is surprising in more ways than one. The WalkCar is composed of aluminum and only weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of four to six pounds. Even with its lightweight body, the device can still support a person weighing up to 265 pounds. Riding on the WalkCar is interesting, and it’s best thought of like a skateboard. The device activates and goes when the rider stands on it. To guide the board the user just shifts their weight, similar to a skateboard. The max speed of the WalkCar is around 6.2 miles, which is just about on par with a brisk walking speed. To make the device stop, the user just needs to step off the vehicle. So far the device seems to work largely as expected. The biggest complaint users have had so far has revolved around how loud the motor can be while riding around.
So When Can We Get One?
The good news is that people interested in the project will be able to reserve one sometime this fall when Saito says the Kickstarter page will go live. As stated previously, fans will be able to pick one up for right around $800. The current launch date is set in Spring of 2016. So what do you guys think? Will the WalkCar be able to accomplish what the Segway couldn’t?
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