The Segway P.U.M.A. (Personal
Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype which was
revealed in April 2009 is a vehicle developed through
a technology collaboration between Segway and American
automotive manufacturer General Motors.
The Segway P.U.M.A is a vehicle which attempts to predict
the future of urban transport over short to medium distances.
The P.U.M.A. values less over more; taking up less space,
using less energy, produced more efficiently with fewer
parts, creating fewer emissions during production and
operation, all while offering more enjoyment, productivity,
and connectivity. It could allow people to travel around
cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly - and
at a lower total cost.
"Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution
to moving about and interacting in cities, where more
than half of the world's people live," said Larry
Burns, GM vice president of research and development,
and strategic planning. "Imagine small, nimble
electric vehicles that know where other moving objects
are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles
in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the
ability of people to move through cities, find places
to park and connect to their social and business networks."
The Segway P.U.M.A. prototype features a lithium-ion battery,
digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing,
dual electric wheel motors, vehicle-to-vehicle communications,
autonomous driving and parking, and a dockable user interface
that allows off-board connectivity. The vehicle can carry
two people at speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h) with a
range of 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.
Similar and related vehicles:
Segway Human Transport
Segway Centaur
Toyota i-Unit
Toyota i-Real
Mitka Trike
ZEUS Nanocar
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