Electric unicycle unveiled

An electric unicycle has been unveiled by Honda which says will revolutionise the way we get around.

The technology used in the U3X 'personal mobility device' has been borrowed from the company's famous Asimo humanoid robot.

An internal balance control means that the experimental unicycle constantly stands upright.

In order to move, a driver simply has to lean in the direction they wish to travel _ forwards, backwards, side-to-side or diagonally.

The device stands 26ins high, weighs just 22lbs and is powered by a lithium ion battery that runs for one hour before needing to be recharged.

As well as a fold out seat it also has two foot rests and it can move at a maximum speed of 3.7mph, described by its designers as a brisk walking pace.

The unicycle was unveiled in Tokyo by Honda's president Takanobu Ito, who emphasised that the U3-X was still in the planning stages.

"We believe this is the first step in realising the fun of human transportation and expanding that joy indefinitely," he said.

"And if my legs get a little weak, I would like to have one of these around the house. It makes it easy to move about."

Chief engineer Yasuhisa Arai said Honda had no immediate plans to sell the device but was looking into its potential uses.