The Honda UX-3 is a bizarre contraption which rivals previous efforts like the Segway to become the next lightweight personal mobility solution.

The UX-3 is still at a prototype stage at the moment, but Honda intends to continue research and development of the vehicle to test the marketability and efficiency of the design. The UX-s features Honda’s omni-directional driving wheel system which enables smooth front, backward and side to side movements. This driving wheel system comprises of many smaller motor controlled wheels which help the vehicle travel side to side, but when in line make a much larger wheel which propels the vehicle forwards and backwards. These drive systems can work simultaneously to help the vehicle travel diagonally in any direction.

Anthropometrically the Honda UX-3 places the user at eye level with other walking pedestrians keeping a level hierarchy when in conversation. To move the vehicle in a particular direction the user just has to lean to his/her desired side. The vehicle miraculously manages to balance itself using the same sensor technology that powers Honda’s popular ASIMO robot. The product weights less than 10KG and utilises a lithium ion battery which should power the device for approximately 1 hour of operation.

Purpose and market appreciation aside, the industrial design from an aesthetic perspective is truly beautiful. It has a real space-age-look in finish and form. It is an object that has been designed in a real 3d manner with every orthographic viewing angle offering something visually interesting and dynamic. In future iterations of this design more work should be placed in some kind of handle for the user to grasp onto. Even the beautiful young girl in the marketing photos looks somewhat jittery in balance and there is a sense of awkwardness in where she places her hands.