Honda is developing a hands-free wheelchair that can be steered just by leaning your body left and right, like on a hoverboard.
Named ‘UNI-ONE’, the robotic chair is intended to allow those with mobility issues to use their hands for other things while in motion.
It uses a posture sensor to gauge the ‘natural posture movement of a person walking’ and uses this to determine the direction and speed the user wants to travel in.
When a user sits in the chair it automatically retracts its main wheel and lowers itself down, sticking out its four prop legs for stability.
But, with the push of a button, the user can command it rise up again, ready to start moving in the direction dictated by their position.
This higher level is also closer to the line of sight of a standing person, and is meant to allow the user to ‘communicate naturally while moving’.
Named ‘UNI-ONE’, the robotic chair is intended to allow those with mobility issues to use their hands for other things while in motion
It uses a posture sensor to gauge the ‘natural posture movement of a person walking’ and uses this to determine the direction and speed the user wants to travel in
On the Honda website, it says: ‘When three generations of a parent and child go to a theme park, UNI-ONE will reduce the burden on elderly people who are not confident about walking for long periods of time, allowing them to move around and have fun with their families.
‘In addition, even people with lower limb disabilities will be able to use their hands freely while moving around on the UNI-ONE, making it easier to work.
‘For those who need a wheelchair to move around, instead of having a caregiver push the wheelchair, they can stand side by side and talk to each other while walking on their own.
‘Or you can reduce the burden when moving [across] a large area for work.
‘We want to increase the number of options that have never existed before in various scenes, and to enjoy our daily lives more and spread joy.’
The Japanese manufacturer announced its first self-balancing personal mobility device in 2009, the Honda U3-X.
This utilised technology from its ASIMO bipedal human robot, and involved the user sitting on a saddle and was controlled by weight-shifting.
This robotic unicycle was followed by the UNI-CUB and and UNI-CUB β, unveiled in 2012 and 2013 respectively, that featured the world’s first ‘omnidirectional’ wheel.
This higher level is closer to the line of sight of a standing person, and is meant to allow the user to ‘communicate naturally while moving’
UNI-ONE was awarded the Good Design Gold Award at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Awards 2022, and is currently being exhibited at the Suzuka Circuit Park in Taiwan
The user can switch the chair’s position with an up-down button, but it automatically switches to the low position if an error is detected to prevent it from tipping over
These were never made available commercially, and have instead evolved into the UNI-ONE chair, which is said to give better control.
It boasts state-of-the-art balance control technology, and a posture sensor which ‘estimates the passengers intentions’.
This can tell when they want to start moving or stop, as well as direction and velocity, and ensures that the UNI-ONE does not overturn.
As it can detect even slight changes in stance and body angle for even small turns, Honda claims it is easy for everyone, ‘from the elderly to children’, to operate.
‘In addition, we are proceeding with development so that it can be used by people with lower limb disabilities who can maintain balance in a sitting position,’ the company says.
This research is to be coordinated with the Yokohama City General Rehabilitation Center.
Honda hopes that, as well as assisting those with mobility issues, the chair could be used as part of virtual reality games and sports
On its website, Honda said: ‘Even people with lower limb disabilities will be able to use their hands freely while moving around on the UNI-ONE, making it easier to work’
Like in the UNI-CUB devices, the wheel of the UNI-ONE is controlled by units on both sides that work in tandem, enabling it to move in all directions.
This system make it easy to ‘change course with hands on walls and desks’, unlike with conventional seated wheelchairs.
Rubber on the seat and wheel mechanism cushions the user and helps them balance when travelling across rough terrain or switching between low and high positions.
The user can switch the chair’s position with an up-down button, but it automatically switches to the low position if an error is detected to prevent it from tipping over.
As well as to optimise balance when travelling, the higher position also stops the user from being looked down upon and aids communication.
Passengers are also securely strapped in, and can operate the chair with a joystick rather than their body weight if they wish to.
Honda hopes that, as well as assisting those with mobility issues, the chair could be used as part of virtual reality games and sports.
UNI-ONE was awarded the Good Design Gold Award at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Awards 2022, and was demonstrated at the Suzuka Circuit Park in Japan last month.
It is still in the research and development phase, and Honda has yet to disclose its maximum speed or battery capacity.
MailOnline has reached out to Honda to discover how much it will cost and when it will be available.
