WalkCar – Japanese mini Segway That Fits In Your Backpack – Video

When it comes to urban transportation and mobility, one does not lack options.

The most popular way at this time going from A to B remain the cars, buses and trains but for once, we should look at the smaller ideas.

You know, electric Segways, bicycles, skateboards or funky Toyota’s Winglet. But what would you say if things got even smaller smaller than that, small enough and light enough to fit in a backpack or in your girlfriend’s large purse?

Introducing Cocoa Motors and their latest genius idea, the WalkCar. It’s not a copy of the iPad, although its dimensions and design might suggest that. What we’re dealing with here is a light (6.6 lbs / almost 3 kg) aluminum-built portable transporter that promises to take you around the city with no sweat from your behalf.

You can also call it a eco-friendly…vehicle because it is powered by a Li-ion battery, enough for a top speed of up to a fast pace of 6.2 mph (10 km/h). That’s twice the average human walking speed, so you’ll never be late again for work. In theory, three hours of charging will give you a maximum range of around 7.4 miles (12 km).

However, looking at the this gadget we realize you’ll have to travel on smooth surfaces holy because those small wheels don’t seem big enough to be capable of overcoming cracks and bumps.

It might contain the word “car” in its name, but this new machine is far from that idea. Also, there’s no steering wheel involved, all you have to do to turn left or right is shift your body weight in the desired direction.

In the video below, you’ll see a demonstration of WalkCar’s capabilities, including its – should we say handling? – on an obstacle course made of plastic cups and a stretch of rough pavement, where the transporter seems to struggle a bit and lose speed.

However, it performs surprisingly good uphill while pushing weights, which looks promising. See it for yourselves below: