Honda’s Uni-Cub Beta review from Tokyo

Japan – the land of crazy gadgets, of that there is little doubt. But the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show was surprisingly highly focused on proper, viable products instead of pie-in-the-sky futurism. Which is not to say there weren’t some intriguing exceptions.

These exceptions included the bizarre and undeniably penguin-shaped contraption at the top of the page here. It’s called the Honda Uni-Cub, and it’s the latest in an increasingly lengthy line of Japanese personal mobility solutions.

Put simply – and perhaps a little unfairly – the Uni-Cub is like a Segway you can sit on. But without any handlebars, using your weight to control the device becomes rather more of a challenge.
 

Honda

The Uni-Cub is quite a clever little thing. As soon as you release the parking brake under the back of the seat, a pair of foot pegs flip forward. Cling on hard with your ankles, though, because as soon as you lift your feet off the ground, the Honda starts bobbing around.

This is the Beta version, new for the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show – smaller in size with improved materials, and somewhat more sensibly restricted to about 3mph flat out, as opposed to the previous 9mph. Since this is hardly even a swift walking pace, it’s all about making journeys easier rather than faster.

Easier? Well, that’s a matter of opinion. Going forwards and backwards isn’t too tricky – place your hands on your thighs and lean gently in the desired direction. Turning corners is a more challenging proposition entirely, as it involves trying to shift your weight without moving your hips.

Cue the fixed glassy gaze of concentration, made doubly weird when you are advised to ‘stare’ at the back of the neck of the professional demonstrator – who just happens to be an attractive young woman – as you follow them round. Honestly, that’s the advice given; yes, it does look very weird.

Clearly, there’s a knack to this, but fail to get your weight distribution right, and the Uni-Cub starts trying to crab sideways. To its credit, it is almost capable of doing this – but the designers clearly weren’t keen on the idea, and any attempts to exploit this ability are greeted by a beeping alarm.
 

Honda

Stick at it, and the 25kg Uni-Cub Beta has a range of about 3 miles, with the battery typically lasting 1.5 hours at an average speed of 2mph. It’s a touch ergonomically challenging for taller individuals, however, and with such limited pace you might struggle to see the appeal.

But that’s irrelevant, really, given that at present they are only available on lease in Japan. This is all in the name of verifying the ‘business feasibility’ of the device – yet even if Honda can make a case to put the Uni-Cub on sale, its appeal will be restricted to those with access to smooth floors and plenty of free time.
 

By CJ Hubbard, contributor, MSN Cars