What would you think about commuting across New York’s central park in a bubble with two wheels? Before making up your mind with an answer, just check out this beauty, a new concept gyroscopic vehicle from designer Sanu KR.

Mr. Sanu has based his design on that of a Segway, only with bigger wheels and a glass-bubble-of-a-chamber in which a driver can sit on a comfy recliner. On a Segway, the driver has to stand and commute and is also exposed to the elements. This vehicle looks sexy enough, but like all concepts, Mr .Sanu might have overlooked a few practical technicalities in this geeky contraption.

For starters, it will be interesting to know how propulsion will work; probably batteries.  Granted the joystick guidance system works without much of a problem.

Then there is the issue which all gyroscopic two-wheelers face. They do tend to tip over while braking. The driver will most likely need additional inertia arresting systems to prevent doing a face plant in his own windshield.

Indeed, it is a concept and it does look sexy. In fact, it feels a bit nostalgic too. Sort of reminds me of a transparent glass yo yo I used to play with as a kid, or a jumbo reinforced wheel chair.

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One of the hardest things to do is learn how to ride a unicycle. It might take an average human being several weeks to master one of those. But we can do that in about 20 minutes all thanks to the new version of the Self Balancing Unicycle (SBU) from Focus Designs.

Learning how to ride a bicycle is absolutely easy. But what makes a unicycle so difficult to ride is that it topples either forward or backward when pedaled as the wheel just rotates about a single axis. Pro unicyclists have no trouble with this as they are trained to use the pedals to adjust the wheels backwards and forwards with ease. But that’s not the case when noobies are on it.

The SBU Version 2.0 knows how to maintain its own balance and you won’t even have to pedal.

The new SBU comes with seven sensors, gyros and accelerometers to monitor orientation, a processor, which runs a bundle of algorithms, increases or decreases the speed of a hub-mounted motor to maintain balance. Similar to a Segway, you just have to lean forward to move the unicycle forward and back to brake. And you can avoid accidents by simply putting your feet down to stop it.  True unicyclists may say this takes the fun out of unicycling, but it’s a good way for some without advanced balancing skills to get started.

A lithium-ion nano-phosphate battery powers the 1000 watt motor and the SBU, which weighs in at 13 kg, has a top speed of 10 mph (16 km/h) for a range of 12 miles (20 km). Recharging the battery takes about two hours and the average cost for that is just 2 US cents.  The SBU Version 2.0 is now available from Focus Designs with a price tag of $1,499.

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One of the highlights includes “Svala,” a white dress that looks like a mix between a hospital gurney, a wheelbarrow and a Snuggie. The dress activates when you put it on and wheels you around the city. You can even charge the contraption as long as you store it vertically, exposing the solar panels. The dress will be on display in the centre of Barcelona until the end of the month.

Even better, there’s a “City Skiing” suit that lets you “ski” through the city’s pedestrian areas using nano-wheels. The ski-suit comes equipped with brake lights, turn signals and a GPS system. Because you can never look too ridiculous when strutting your stuff in Milan.

For all you Segway fans, the “Flymag” (or is it Flagway?) is worn like a cardigan and works like a Segway: the movement of your body makes it go faster or slower and left or right. The whole thing can be wrapped up and carried like a backpack.

All the wearable transporation is electric and solar-powered. I think I’ll stick with my rollerblades; they don’t require any energy at all. And I don’t have to wear a giant white dress to get them to work.

[IED via TreeHugger]

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