Approximately a year ago, Honda unveiled a novel mobility solution dubbed the Uni-One. Unlike conventional automobiles or motorcycles, this creation from Honda represents a hands-free, personal mobility device designed to offer enhanced mobility.
Conceptually akin to a Segway on steroids, the Uni-One employs self-balancing technology and maneuvers based on the postural movements of its user. Additionally, it incorporates the ability to adjust riding height and, more recently, seamless integration with the virtual realm.
At its core, the Uni-One relies on Honda’s proprietary Omni Traction Drive System (HOT), enabling omnidirectional movement of its wheels. Equipped with two HOTs, one on each side, the vehicle gains unparalleled maneuverability, capable of moving in all directions and altering its trajectory swiftly.
Controlled primarily by the user’s body posture, the Uni-One negates the need for traditional buttons or steering wheels, though a joystick is available for additional control when necessary.
The device features two seat settings: a low setting, facilitating eye-level contact with seated individuals or standing children controlled via the joystick, and a high setting, elevating the user’s perspective to that of a standing person and leveraging postural changes for movement control.
However, Honda’s ingenuity didn’t halt there. For the upcoming SXSW 2024 event in Austin, Texas, the company devised an innovative integration of the Uni-One with virtual reality, promising an unparalleled experience.
This novel, “all-new entertainment,” transforms the mobility device into a vehicle for real-world movement while immersing the user in simulated environments.
The concept is straightforward: users simply settle into the Uni-One, don VR goggles, and embark on virtual adventures, from soaring through the sky to gliding along a simulated half-pipe path. All the while, the user’s physical movements synchronize seamlessly with the virtual experience facilitated by the advanced chair.
Honda has trialed this concept extensively across various locations in Japan, even developing a dedicated VR game for the experience at Suzuka Circuit Park.
The debut of the Uni-One and its VR integration in the United States at SXSW 2024 underscores Honda’s commitment to this innovative mobility solution, with prospects including applications in theme parks, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and even support for racing games.