Here’s some pretty nifty new tech. Segway, in collaboration with General Motors, announced their new Project P.U.M.A.(Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility) prototype yesterday – making the announcement in advance of the New York Auto Show.
What exactly is the PUMA? Think of it as an advanced two passenger Segway vehicle capable of traveling at speeds up to 25 to 35 miles per hour and at distances of 25 to 35 miles on a single charge. The vehicle features large format lithium-ion batteries which can be recharged at a cost of around 60 cents per charge.
Some of the cool tech found in the PUMA (quoting from the Segway blog here) include:
- “Dynamic stabilization: The ability to balance on two wheels and have a true zero turning radius. It gives you incredible maneuverability.
- Electric propulsion: It’s extremely efficient and gives us significant fine control over vehicle dynamics. You also can use regenerative braking to charge back the batteries.
- Smart battery management: We’re one of the world’s largest customers of large format lithium-ion batteries. As such, we’ve become experts about the safe and efficient use of their chemistry.
- Drive-by-wire digital controls: Think about this whole thing as a digital solution to an analog problem. All steering inputs, acceleration, and deceleration are done with zeros and ones instead of levers, cables, and pads.
- Intuitive user interface: Shifting the center of mass of the vehicle controls how fast it goes and how quickly it stops. Check out the video to see it in action.
- Digital dashboard: Data from the vehicle such as speed, battery life, and other information can flow wireless to a handheld device wirelessly. Add in real-time traffic and other connectivity info. and you’ll be armed with enough information to sail through your commute. “
Other interesting specs and facts about the PUMA include:
- Weighs around 300 pounds (yeah.. don’t have this thing fall on ya)
- Wireless key system
- 8 to 10 hour charge time
- Zero turning radius
- Accelerate by pushing the steering console forward. Slowdown or brake by pulling the steering console back towards you
- Not been tested in bad weather yet
- Designed for smooth terrain travel so forget about taking it on dirt roads for now
One interesting question that I’m sure some of you are wondering – how much will this thing cost? According to Segway’s FAQ – it looks like the PUMA will cost less than most current small car prices.
OK.. now onto several questions that I hope some of you might answer:
1. Would you buy it if it were available today?
2. Is it a solution looking for a problem?
[Check out the PUMA page]
Read this in Chinese Simplified and in French
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