Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could ride a skateboard that did all the work for you, that you could then fit in your backpack?
Well, a Japanese engineer just invented the newest form of travel, and it’s a nifty little device. Be prepared to see these things on every college campus in about two years. Creator Kuniako Saito and his team at Cocoa Motors invented the WalkCar, a transporter the size of a laptop, that’s easy to maneuver. While the aluminum platform looks rather weak, the board is capable of holding up to 265 lbs. According to Fortune, WalkCar takes three hours to charge, but once it’s ready you can travel 7 miles on it maintaining a speed of roughly 6 mph.
The WalkCar is like a cheaper, more convenient Segway.
A segway is an expensive way to get around. They can run over $2,000 and they aren’t the most convenient thing to park outside a classroom (also they’re generally reserved for mall cops). However, according to Saito, customers can start ordering their WalkCars in Fall 2015 and orders are expected to ship sometime in Spring 2016. The price will cost American customers roughly $800, though over time that price will certainly drop, giving it the potential to be the next big thing.
Look how cool the WalkCar is at getting you around:
[Featured Image Credit: cocoa motors.Inc via YouTube]