In the Loop: April 8, 2009 Archive

Bikes for people who don't like biking?

Posted at 11:37 AM on April 8, 2009 by Sanden Totten (5 Comments)

GM and Segway, now there's a winning combination. One is a failing car company whose CEO was basically fired by the government. The other invented the preferred mode of transportation of Paul Blart, Mall Cop. Now they have joined forces to reinvent personal transportion.
I think I speak for all of us when I say "whaa?"

I think the hover chairs from Wall-E are next. picture from segway.com/puma

Introducing the PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility). It's a prototype of a new vehicle. Imagine driving around New York City in a giant Cadbury Creme Egg, hated by all the bikers for clogging their lane and barely noticed by cars who mistake you for a misplaced newspaper box. Sounds great right?

The good news is these pods have zero emissions, run on electricity and go up to 35 mph. They are being designed to one day drive themselves using GPS technology, allowing you to take it somewhere, hop out and let it return to home base.

The bad news is, they don't seem to shield you from the weather (certain death in Minnesota). And they have just enough room for you and your morning coffee. Technically the PUMA is a two-seater, but unless you are married or at least in a long-term relationship, it might be indecent to ride that way.

But they are apparently great for spinning in circles around scenic landmarks.

So how about it loyal Loophole readers? Would you make this your new ride?

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