Honda shows robotics for handsfree unicycle

Mr Mamoru Mori, executive director of National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) and former astronaut, rides Honda Motor's new Uni-Cub personal mobility device at the museum in Tokyo on Tuesday. (TheStraitsTimes)

Look, no hands. Scooting about in a unicycle is no sweat with Honda's new robotics technology.

Swaying your body from side to side is all you need to do to turn, rotate full circle and zip around on the Uni-Cub, which looks a bit like a floating car seat.

Reporters got a test ride on the machine Tuesday. It takes some getting used to but responds smoothly and quietly.

Honda Motor Co. said Uni-Cub is not dangerous to pedestrians even if it crashes. But it can only be used on flat surfaces.

It will be on display at a Tokyo science museum and go through some tests for feedback. There are no plans yet for a commercial product. Honda declined comment on pricing or timing.