Japanese company Yanmar has posed a new idea that involves a Segway-like device riding on water. Called the Wheeebo, the floating disc is due to be released next year at a price that’s still unknown.
In order to control the device, individuals riding the Wheeebo simply shift their body weight in the direction they want to go, and sensors intuitively detect this change. Once the shift has been detected, the electric craft will speed up, stop, or turn in the appropriate direction.
Yanmar says there is a “propeller mounted under the board.” Additionally, the speed of the craft is controlled by a wireless handheld remote that can switch between two modes. According to the site, Wheeebo’s speed is indicated as “walking speed,” at 3.5 mph. It gets its power from a nickel-hydrogen battery pack, and a single charge is good for 60 minutes of “water walking.”
Obviously, this isn’t intended for choppy water, but rather serene conditions in salt or fresh water. The Wheeebo will be available in 140 and 150 cm, and 55 and 59 inch, catering to different types of riders.
“The development of the Wheeebo demonstrates the application of design thinking and rapid prototyping to discover the needs and difficulties that users themselves did not necessarily realize they faced and offer a solution that reflects the needs of the market,” according to Yanmar’s release.
Check it out in action below.
Filed Under: TECHNOLOGIES + PRODUCTS, Motion control • motor controls
