It would seem that there are enough people in the world who find walking from their desk to the printer hard work to warrant Honda coming up with a solution. The new UNI-CUB is described as an evolution in personal mobility that began with the U3-X mobility concept that was announced in 2009.
Featuring technologies derived from Honda's Asimo humanoid robot, the UNI-CUB, which looks like a kitchen bin with pedals attached, is controlled by the rider simply shifting their weight to alter its speed and direction. Thanks to the preposterously named Honda Omni Traction Drive System the UNI-CUB can even move diagonally or side to side, perfect for avoiding people who choose to get from A to B the old fashioned way.
Honda says the UNI-CUB 'promotes harmony between the riders and others', as the seating position means the rider is just below eye level of most pedestrians and just above eye level of someone seated on a normal chair.
With a top speed of 6km/h and a projected range of six kilometres from its lithium ion batteries the UNI-CUB is the ideal device for getting around Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation where it will continue testing until March 2013. Staff will be performing demonstrations and offering test rides to interested parties.
If you happen to be in the area, drop in and tell the engineers to stop faffing around with the UNI-CUB and get back to working on the new NSX...