Looks a little dorky, at the same point, walking the miles on campus wasn't exactly a ton of fun, and this gets us one step closer to WALL-E

I'm thinking about grabbing one. Range on these things, depending on the model, is anywhere from 6-25 miles with 1-3 hours of charging necessary. Weighs in from 18-30 pounds.

7/25/2014 1:53:45 PM

not much appeal to me. i actually enjoyed/miss walking or biking around campus. If it's close enough to walk or bike I'll bike. If walking or biking isn't feasible/safe one of these isn't going to change anything really.

[Edited on July 25, 2014 at 1:58 PM. Reason : ]

7/25/2014 1:57:47 PM

7/25/2014 2:32:16 PM

Totally! With my Google Glass, Samsung Smart Watch and Iphone drinking my Starbucks coffee. What else?

7/25/2014 2:46:16 PM

Quote :

"not much appeal to me. i actually enjoyed/miss walking or biking around campus. If it's close enough to walk or bike I'll bike. If walking or biking isn't feasible/safe one of these isn't going to change anything really."

7/25/2014 2:54:20 PM

So a mini segway for lazy people?

7/25/2014 3:06:39 PM

so just a more dangerous segway?

7/25/2014 3:23:57 PM

I see fat people on this.

7/25/2014 3:43:04 PM

No, I would not buy that. Nor would I use one seriously if it was given to me for free.

But I find walking to be enjoyable, so I have no use for these types of products. Plus I'm not lazy.

7/25/2014 3:49:38 PM

You can dice it a bunch of ways. I have to go into main campus a lot. This requires getting in car, burning gas, and hunting for a parking spot. Because I'm not going to waste the 30 minutes, there and back, to walk from my office into campus. In my situation, it isn't laziness, its the exact opposite... wanting to be productive with my time. I suspect this at 10 MPH would likely get me to the meeting about the time I got there with the car, without all the grief.

But, yes, this is a one wheeled segway, although they make a 2 wheel model that is apparently stable enough to be ridden well by a novice in under an hour. The one wheeled version is more comparable to learning how to ride a bike. I thought it was neat. Surprised most of the rest of you don't.

7/25/2014 4:00:44 PM

Quote :

"The Benefits of Walking Walking Toward a Healthier You There are countless physical activities out there, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all! It's the simplest positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health. Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day can help you: Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels Improve blood lipid profile Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity Enhance mental well being Reduce the risk of osteoporosis Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes There really are so many benefits for such a simple activity!"

30 minutes of walking is not really a waste of time...

7/25/2014 4:22:15 PM

Why don't you just get a bike?

And why are you surprised that we wouldn't like what you described as "a one-wheeled segway" since most everyone thinks those are retarded?

[Edited on July 25, 2014 at 4:29 PM. Reason : .]

7/25/2014 4:28:06 PM

it's a neat device. i have no interest in owning one, though.

7/25/2014 4:35:39 PM

Riding bikes to meeting or the office is never a great idea. You end up sweating a lot, and you coworkers don't appreciate you smelling like you need a bath.

7/25/2014 4:54:10 PM

7/25/2014 6:16:26 PM

We do have free buses. Could take the CM and walk from that. I frequently eat your way and usually bus at least one way. Seems to work out for us.

Plus I am so uncoordinated I would keep kill myself on that thing!

[Edited on July 25, 2014 at 7:46 PM. Reason : ]

7/25/2014 7:45:51 PM

Anyone that gets pushed off of one of these earned it.

7/26/2014 12:21:48 PM

it looks like it would put a strain on your ankles trying to stay balanced on that thing. there are several wobbly moments in the video.

7/26/2014 3:40:22 PM

Quote :

"Riding bikes to meeting or the office is never a great idea. You end up sweating a lot, and you coworkers don't appreciate you smelling like you need a bath."

in my opinion/experience, at the speed this thing is going, you can nearly coast on a bike without much more effort than you'd exert staying balanced on this airwheel. Biking several miles to work in traffic at a good pace is one thing. Yes that can get sweaty for those who do it. But coasting on a bike across campus is less sweat-inducing than walking.

7/26/2014 4:56:44 PM

lol I'd love to get some fast version of these things and race them.

7/28/2014 10:36:15 AM

Blathering blatherskite

7/28/2014 10:45:33 AM

i would totally buy one of these
it would make running with my girlfriend a lot easier

7/28/2014 4:25:36 PM

HOOK ON

7/28/2014 5:30:30 PM

do any of the videos show how you get on it? do you have to lean against a wall to balance?

7/28/2014 5:53:29 PM

I looked into getting one of these. Ended up building an electric bike instead. Not as compact, but more utility and when the battery runs out you still have unlimited range (kind of like your Volt). I do think this is probably the most compact device for powered transportation that can possibly be built, and there is something cool about being able tonpick it up and carry it like a suitcase. This would make it more convenient than a bike if you have to use crowded public transportation inbetween. I think it could be a great urban transporter.

As far as people thinking that you look weird, well in NC people think you are a weirdo if you wear anything other than an oversized t-shirt, cargo shorts, and NB shoes. So anything new you will try is guaranteed to make people look at you funny. So unless you want to be just like those people, you shouldn't worry too much about what they think.

[Edited on July 28, 2014 at 9:10 PM. Reason : .]

7/28/2014 9:04:02 PM

That is a YEAR [old], assuming it is the same as this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_-um9BU8Q4 <--- instructional video

Watch the video if you want to see how to actually use it, instead of experts riding it in London like it is so fucking easy.

7/28/2014 11:33:39 PM

If you're worried about sweating on a bike, just get one of these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Razor-E100-Electric-Scooter/4698058

I think I've seen several different gas or electric ones. You might still look a little dumb, but a lot less stupid then you would on the one in the OP.

7/29/2014 11:08:39 AM

Quote :

"As far as people thinking that you look weird, well in NC people think you are a weirdo if you wear anything other than an oversized t-shirt, cargo shorts, and NB shoes"

You have no idea what you're talking about. There's an entire thread dedicated to the hatred of cargo shorts.

[Edited on July 29, 2014 at 11:16 AM. Reason : Girls wear over-sized t-shirts and norts. ]

7/29/2014 11:15:37 AM

^Well that used to be the case when i lived there. You can replace it in whatever the current uniform is. I am fully aware of the cargo shorts thread and i'm glad that some progress is being made.

^^I see some people erode those as well, but they are just not as neat/more childish in my opinion. Although someone I work with rides a push scooter around and most people here in DC don't give it a second glance. A major downside of these are the really tiny wheels, which has a big effect on the ride quality, you have to really watch out for bumps and cracks. On the upside, the learning curve is much easier than something like is Solowheel or even a Segway.

7/29/2014 12:41:33 PM

I think the stability of a long platform to put your feet on as well as handlebars would equal out the stability that this "airwheel" has to offer with it's one big tire.

And if we're arguing the ridiculousness/childish look of either one of these...then you're just splitting hairs....because they both look pretty dumb/childish.

7/29/2014 1:08:45 PM

One is decidedly more high tech/cleverly designed. That makes is neat/ more appealing to me. Chevy Volt and Toyota Echo are both small cars with great gas mileage, but I'd be proud to drive a Volt and wouldn't ever consider an Echo. But I bet general public would not be able to tell the difference as long as they both were the same color, so they would probably perceive me in exactly same (inferior) way to someone driving a CRV or another small bland SUV.

7/29/2014 7:13:11 PM

Quote :

"If you're worried about sweating on a bike, just get one of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Razor-E100-Electric-Scooter/4698058"

well, maybe not that one in particular:

Quote :

"Razor electric scooter maximum rider weight: 120 lbs"

7/29/2014 7:17:08 PM

No

7/29/2014 10:14:35 PM

^^ Yeah...I just picked the first one that came up in a search. I'm sure that one is for kids.

^^^ You sound like you have some severe self-esteem/inferiority complex issues.

7/30/2014 12:25:25 AM

And you sound like a bad armchair psychologist that is quick to jump to conclusions. First, I choose to drive a Subaru station wagon, so I definitely don't have any self-esteem issues Plus I just told you I considered buying one of these Airwheels, you think a person riding one of these would be very concerned with how other people look at him/her? It is important to me however that i truly enjoy and appreciate the things I own. I know a few things about cars, so I would take time to choose one based on more things than just the color, brand, and price (which is how most people pick theirs). I am also fully aware that most people would make some sort of a judgement by the car I drive, just like they judge you by the clothes you wear. When you dress up in the morning, or when you are buying clothes at the mall, do you choose clothing based on how other people would perceive you or based on what you think will suit you? Or are those two things the same?

[Edited on July 30, 2014 at 1:15 AM. Reason : .]

7/30/2014 1:14:18 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kngspqvHa0

7/30/2014 3:57:56 PM

^Love me some Pixar, but what's shown in the clip you posted is actually already happening in NC with cars. I guarantee you that anyone that even considers using an AirWheel is in much better shape than your average American, and is probably spending more time getting from place to place on foot than 90% of people who live in North Carolina. This wheel attempts to solve a number of issues including individual mobility, traffic congestion, pollution, and energy independence, and does it in a pretty clever way at a (comparably) low price point. I can't beleive how much hate it's getting on here just because you people can't wrap your head around it. Before you can say "why don't you just walk", I challenge you to walk at 10-12 mph. And I also challenge you to leave your car/truck/SUV at home and just walk next time you are running some errands. Those of you saying "why don't you just bike", I do agree that bike offers more utility and longer range, but if you ever tried to bike to work in NC any time between may and October, you know exactly how this thing would be better than a bike for commuting to work, if you live within the battery range and have to dress up.


[Edited on July 30, 2014 at 4:19 PM. Reason : .]

7/30/2014 4:17:42 PM

Quote :

" Would you buy this?"

no.

7/30/2014 8:44:57 PM

Quote :

"but if you ever tried to bike to work in NC any time between may and October, you know exactly how this thing would be better than a bike for commuting to work, if you live within the battery range and have to dress up."

That's the thing...you're going to be a sweaty mess regardless. Shit...you're wearing a suit and you get out of your SUV with the AC blasting and you'll still have back sweat by the time you cross the parking lot.

I just think there are other options out there that are just as efficient and don't look as retarded. This is just as bad as a Segway.

7/30/2014 10:51:00 PM

What are these options? I genuinely would like to learn more. I am a bit of a transportation geek. I own a car, a motorcycle, three bikes (one of them with electric assist), have a bikeshare membership, a transit card, and use uber/lyft pretty consistently. Every single method of transportation has its advantages.

I don't think i'd be a sweaty mess if I could move at 10mph without pedaling, there is quite a bit of airflow at that speed. Sweaty back you mentioned comes from hot leather seats or from the greenhouse effect of the car sitting in the parking lot.

Segways were and still are very expensive and you can't really take them into public transport, so this is a bit better than a Segway if you take multiple modes of public transport. Segways have the advantage of more carrying capacity and longer range, but the air wheel would be easier to take inside and charge at work (in fact, I think they should have built the charger into the wheel). As far as "looking retarded", its just a matter of how many of these are on the road. Many people in NC think Toyota Prius looks "retarded", but here you see them everywhere and no one gives them a second look. Most people today would think that someone riding a penny-farthing bike looks ridiculous, but that used to be the norm, and many people still love riding those for one reason or another. What I think is ridiculous is having to burn millions of years worth of carbon deposits at 15% efficiency to move 3000+lbs thing around just so you they can deposit a check in a bank. But people in NC do it all the time, and to them, it's normal.

7/31/2014 12:19:31 AM

Well, I've ordered one of these things, so if you see a dork riding one, you'll know its CarZin I ordered the 2 wheel model, which should make my learning curve a lot better (the Q3). I ordered it with a 270 Watt hour battery, which is supposed to give it a range close to 20 miles... not that I'll use it that far.

I've watched a LOT of videos of people on these things, and not a single person has been what I consider 'unfit'. They are all slender. I think if you were a fat ass, you'd struggle to ride this thing.

7/31/2014 9:18:59 AM

Quote :

"What are these options?"

You've got one yourself:

Quote :

"three bikes (one of them with electric assist)"

Personally, I'd probably rather have a nice electric scooter (the Razor type ones), than this thing. I think people can say any of these things look "silly" (shoot, lots of people frown on bike commuters because they think they "get in the way")...but this airwheel probably takes the cake...or is at least in-line with segways.

I ride my bike to work sometimes (I wear slacks and a nice dress shirt everyday...tie and/or suit if I have an important meeting or court). Normally not during the summer when it's really hot, but if it is, then I'll leave clothes to change in at work.

I'm trying to talk my wife into letting me get an electric golf cart to mill about downtown and take to work everyday.

7/31/2014 11:24:20 AM

Well, if you are insecure about yourself, this wouldn't be the thing to ride. I'm quite comfortable in not giving a fuck

7/31/2014 12:36:14 PM

^^bikes are harder to take on a Metro, so while they are helpful, they are not exactly comparable. My roommate from NC State also lives here in DC and to get to work he takes a shared bike to the metro, then the train, then he keeps his bike near the metro station closest to his work and he rides that the rest of the way. This generally works, but presents a couple of problems. Sometimes shared bikes are all gone, because he lives in a neighborhood with a large out flux of people in the morning. Also, he has to leave his bike in a seedy part of town where he works, chain it to a bike stand, and hope it doesn't get stolen. Driving is not a good option for him because parking is hard to find in his neighborhood. Biking all the way to work is possible, but it would be an hour-long ride, so he'd have to have a change of clothes. Bikes are not allowed on the trains during rush hour times. I think for situations like his, this wheel would be a great choice. Scooter may also work, depending how the guard at the metro feels that day, but i don't see how they would hassle you for taking an air wheel into the metro, since it's basically a suitcase with a wheel inside of it. He could dress up to work, take the Metro, not have to take a chance on finding a shared bike, and keep his bike at home where he could actually ride it for fun. By the way, lots of Segways around here, mostly used by tourists and law enforcement, and whatever you may thing of their looks, you just can't argue with their utility. They are better suited than bikes for both of those purposes in many ways.

By the way, may want to read up on regulations before getting that golf cart. There is a special set of rules that govern low-speed vehicles, and they are generally not allowed on the roads with speed limit greater than 25mph. That would make many of the streets in central Raleigh off limits. Those things generally work best in beach for moving around beach communities or suburban communities.

[Edited on July 31, 2014 at 3:43 PM. Reason : .]

7/31/2014 3:40:38 PM

I don't live in Raleigh, live in downtown Charleston. Golf carts are fairly common downtown, you just can't drive them at night (and on roads over 35 mph...which there are none downtown). You can cross over highways and such (17 runs straight through the peninsula). There are LSV vehicles with headlights and turn signals are allowed at night...but I think that would just get me in trouble.

90% of my driving is downtown...and I hate to use my SUV to run simple errands when I could be saving gas and the environment in an electric golf cart. The wife just doesn't think we have anywhere to park it...

7/31/2014 3:46:57 PM

Holy hell, I just got this thing in and it is awesome!!! Already rode it about 8 miles. Definitely plenty fast and I learned it in about an hour.

8/4/2014 10:56:42 PM

I would ride one. Don't know about buying one.

Funny enough I was in London when you posted this, and I was in the general area where the video was filmed.

8/5/2014 8:15:51 AM

^^plz to post some first-person-perspective footage of you riding it around Raleigh, with emphasis on faces of bystanders. I really want to see what kind of reaction you would get over there.

8/5/2014 10:46:05 AM

Took it around campus today. I would say about 4 miles total. Only partial wipeout, but didn't drop the unit. Dipping turn to the left... Haven't gotten those yet. But handled like a champ on a shit ton of uneven bricks. I've had one car pull over and ask me about it, and countless 'What the fuck was that' comments as I pass by.

I am going to get a gopro and record people's faces as a I pass them.

8/5/2014 4:00:51 PM

and then you'll cross over from simply being a guy with a weird way to get around to douche bag

8/5/2014 8:44:18 PM