Honda's Hands Free Wheelchair 'UNI-ONE' Moves Like a Hoverboard

The Uni-One moves much like a hoverboard, by detecting the body movements of the person sitting down, the rider, It has two modes, a lower one in which the big wheels retract and four prop arms come out, and a higher mode for travel, which is activated when the user sits down or, respectively, at the touch of a button. Movement is done either by balancing the body or by means of a joystick, which is useful when the system detects an error.

The chair uses proprietary balance control technology from the robotics department and the Honda Omni Traction Drive System wheel mechanism, which allows free movement forward, backward, left, right and diagonally. No specifics are offered on the motor or battery capacity, but this is clearly not a personal mobility device designed for speed. Instead, the focus is on comfort and stability, and an intuitive experience, where the Uni-One detects and then learns from the natural movement of the body of the rider.