Core77

Unbelievably Portable Personal Transportation Device from Japan

The WalkCar is the size of a laptop, and just does not seem real

By Rain Noe - August 10, 2015

in Cars | Product Design | Video

Japanese inventor Kuniaki Sato has come up with something that beggars belief: A small aluminum platform, about the size of a laptop, that can carry a human being for a distance of 12 kilometers under its own power, and responds to Segway-like leaning for the UI. Take a look at this thing:

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The small wheeled device, called the WalkCar, was created by Sato in a bid to demonstrate that Japan is still capable of innovation; it's probably no accident that the name is similar to "Walkman," the product that launched Sony onto the world stage and pushed Japanese electronics prowess into the global consciousness.

You're undoubtedly wondering "How the hell can this thing be real? How can it store that much juice and develop that much torque in such a tiny package?" Details provided by the company are essentially nil, although in this Reuters video, we can see it's charged by USB (!) and hear that it tops out at 10 kilometers per hour:

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I think it's safe to say that when the Kickstarter launches this October, the $800 device is going to fly off of the virtual shelves. Sato's company, Cocoa Motors, estimates they'll have units ready to ship by next year.

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Danilo Calvache

9 years ago

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interesting, but I always prefer walking, that's why we have legs.

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Thomas LR

9 years ago

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Standing is more tiring than walking.

But hey, let's put more crap out there and let's have C77 advertise for it.

Also: curbs.

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Matt Chapman

9 years ago

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Seems to work well on nice smooth surfaces. Can imagine it would shake you to death on a typical English pavement (pictured).

I'm not sure what problem the designer is trying to overcome. As other people have already commented - it's not for the immobile. I get the impression this is just for the "hip" and "trendy" to glide around on looking "cool".

Anyone who thinks this product will take over the world is probably still cowering indoors awaiting the imminent globe-dominating invasion of the Segway!

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- Matt Chapman
  
  Matt Chapman
  
  9 years ago
  
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  Forgot to credit the picture - courtesy of www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk
  
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Eric Strebel

9 years ago

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Wow, that is so Japanese. It looks incredibly booking!

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Edward Hyde

9 years ago

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I can see this device being of great benefit to the elderly and those with difficulty in walking longish distances. Could be carried in the car and used to "walk" from the car park to the shops. However, knowing the attitude of the UK Department of Transport, it will probably be anothe 40 years before they investigate it, let alone approve it.

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Tayln S

9 years ago

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I can't believe, what a bad design. First of all they designed it like a weigher and OMG what is it. there are chair whell, is it so?

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phil k

9 years ago

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Solution for a non- issue

If you can balance and handle driving this thing, you can walk.

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Will Gibbons

9 years ago

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I see this rendered useless unless you live somewhere that has perfectly smooth sidewalks without curbs, pebbles or water. It would seem a skateboard actually offers a few pros this doesn't... curious how this responds to going down steep hills....

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Predrag Azdejković

9 years ago

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Creating new fat people since 2015.

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Paulin Guéry

9 years ago

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Such teeny tiny wheels, better not encounter a bump in the road.

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