Motoring giant General Motors (GM) have combined engineering know-how with Segway to revive a new, tiny two-wheeled urban electric vehicle.
Called the Puma (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), the vehicle is a departure from previous Segways as it allows for two passengers, can reach speeds of up to 35 mph and is protected from the elements.
Neither company has yet given any firm production or pricing details, but are said to be in consultation with city planners around the globe to test the Puma in urban environments.
Commenting on the prototype, Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc, said: “We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility…There’s an emotional connection you get when trying something made by Segway. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype embodies this completely through the combination of dynamic stabilisation, seamless drive-by-wire controls, and sophisticated battery systems to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.”
The Puma unveiled by GM and Segway uses a lithium battery and has a range of 35 miles from one charge.
On the move
Meet a Role Model involved in the design of mobility products.
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Date Published: April 08, 2009
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