General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) and Segway yesterday unveiled a two-wheeled city vehicle that aims to change the way people move about within cities.
Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing the electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that uses Segway’s unique gyroscopic technology for balancing on two side-by-side wheels. The technology was first employed in the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), a two-wheeled electric vehicle that is ridden in the standing position.
The companies said the new seated vehicle could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly–and at a lower total cost.
GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the prototype in New York City.
"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."
Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. wants to addresses those concerns.
It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking.
Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35
miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between
recharges.
The companies gave no specifics about production plans or costs, but initial reports suggest the vehicle could be priced at about a quarter of the cost of a new traditional vehicle.
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