Automobile company Honda has unveiled a new entertainment experience that combines virtual reality (VR) with its Uni-One hands-free wheelchair.
Honda’s new technology will be on view at SXSW in Austin, Texas next month. In a press release, the company said the Uni-One extended reality (XR) experience could be featured at theme parks, entertainment facilities and retail spaces across the US.
“With the Honda XR Mobility Experience, we are expanding the joy and freedom of personal mobility into entertainment applications,” said Hirokazu Hara, vice president of new business development at the American Honda Motor Company.
“By combining the unique, physical experience of riding the Honda Uni-One with highly immersive digital entertainment, Honda is creating a brand new multimodal experience that takes extended reality technologies to the next level.”
Honda said the technology could be used in indoor and outdoor spaces without obstacles. With a VR headset, users could experience “the peaceful floating in the sky or the exhilarating feeling of gliding along a half-pipe path”, the company said.
The Uni-One features advanced self-balancing technology and sensors that allow the user to go in any direction based on postural movements. Like a Segway, the battery-operated device can be steered by riders as they shift their body weight.
New tech for theme parks and retail spaces
The seats can be raised and lowered on the Uni-One, which moves at a maximum speed of 3.7 miles per hour.
Honda is looking to collaborate with AR and VR developers on custom digital experiences for the Uni-One. Interested companies can visit Honda’s booth #729 at SXSW.
SXSW attendees will get the chance to ride a Uni-One while wearing a VR headset for an immersive experience.
Elsewhere, Ghibli Park in Japan is set to debut a fleet of Catbus-style electric vehicles developed by Toyota and based on the manufacturer’s APM (Accessible People Mover).
Images courtesy of Honda
