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Toyota has unveiled its answer to the Segway, the Winglet – a ‘personal transport assistant robot.’

The Winglet uses an electric motor to power its two wheels and uses sensors and a gyroscope to stay upright. Like the Segway it is directed by the occupant’s shifting body weight.

A full recharge takes one hour and gives the Winglet a top cruising speed of 4mph and a range of 6 miles. That compares poorly to the Segway, which can manage a top speed of 13mph. Three different versions...Read the full article

Is it just me, or is this an answer to a question nobody asked?  4 mph is walking speed, and with obesity levels rising all the time, people don't need an even more convenient excuse not to walk!!

 Surely there's an opportunity for some cross-promotional activity here. You could have the Kentucky Fried Winglet, with special wobble-through lanes (extra wide, of course)...winglet dippers...winglet Whoppers - or is that just the riders. Suggestions please.

Really couldn't agree more with an earlier post, with a top speed of 4 MPH and a range of only 6 miles, surely it would make more sense to, dare I say it, just walk?

When you think of the manfucturing costs, even if this was a 100% recyclable product you'd be better off with a push bike or walking.

Very much a product answering a question that has already successfully been answered by ones feet.

 

I'd agree that this winglet doesn't move the game on at all, but if you look at it as a Mark 1; then maybe this is worth serious attention. Remember, the first "cars" weren't any faster than walking. What this shows is miniturisation of a Segway, new ideas being tested, and also don't forget the two companies that have been involved with it's development: Sony and Toyota, hardly failures and in many ways innovators. I could see these being used in Malls and supermarkets very soon. Health and Safety probably wouldn't let them go any faster in doors.

Brgds,

 Ian