Segway? No, Winglet!

Huh.
Only 3.5 mph, and only 6 miles range?

Maybe it makes more sense in Japan, but I'm thinking for anyone that would NEED something like this because of walking or mobility issues, they would also need more range.

And for everyone else? Why not just a scooter, skateboard or inline skates...or bicycle?

At least with a Segway it has range and power enough to conceivably be used occasionally as an urban vehicle replacement for getting from point A to point B.

Seems to me Winglet falls in a chasm. Too weak a product to be an actual medical assistance device for those people that might want or need mobility assistance. And also not powerful enough to really be practical in any other arena.

There just has to be better ways to cover 6 miles range, even if it involves leg power or pedals.

Perhaps in crowded urban city environments, it might have an avenue of greater praticality? I'm NOT placing my pre-order.

 

Its only advantage over the Segway is its size. Being narrower will help on crowded paths, and the smaller batteries seem to make it light enough to be more portable. This link is to a wallpaper with it and a knee controlled one.
2008 Toyota Winglet Personal Transport Assistance Robot - Demostration 1 - 1280x960 - Wallpaper

The Honda Uni-Cub looks more comfortable.
Personal Mobility Made Easier By Honda UNI-CUB | High T3ch

I agree with the OP article. I'd rather have the Crazy Cart(and the weight loss to use it.)
Razor Launches New, All-Electric Performance ... Ummmm ... Vehicle

 

Yeah, but whenever I see these young healthy people riding around on these "gadgets", and usually they pick perfectly healthy people in the prime of life, my first reaction is....how about walking?

Evolution or instantaneous divine creation (pick em)....did a pretty good job of providing the human body with two appendages called legs...attached to feet...and for most applications they do a wonderful job of providing mobility, without directly using gasoline or electricity in any capacity.

I also think a bicycle has been refined to become an amazingly efficient machine.

 

What, you don't want to drive your Crazy Cart to work?

The article was probably right in, "though realistically people will probably just unfurl the Winglet from the trunk of their cars and use it to travel a few hundred yards from a car park to their place of work." So, yeah, why not walk?

The Segway at least has the potential to replace a car for some commutes and other transportation tools for some fields. It also won't leave a person sweaty upon arrival, or tire out the security agent rushing to the noise complaint on the local college, like a bike.

The Winglet reminds me of the Slowmobile from Futurama.

 

Can't be any worse than bike cops with those shorts.

 

Those were supposed to go on sale in Japan back in 2010. Originally demonstrated back in 2008.

Toyota Winglet ‘Personal Transport Assistants’ take on Segway - SlashGear