Japanese company Yanmar is best known for its diesel engines and robotised agricultural machinery. In addition, the company also makes watercraft for personal use. The most recent addition to its portfolio is the Wheeebo, a kind of Segway for on water.
Wheeebo is expected to hit the market next year and looks like a thick, round disc floating on the water on which the water sportsman stands. When body weight is shifted in a certain direction, integrated sensors register this change. At the same time, they cause the electric drive to accelerate, stop or turn. For this, Yanmar refers to a propeller mounted under the Wheebo. It is just not clear whether that propeller can turn in different directions or is controlled by a rudder.
For speed, two modes can be chosen from; controlling it is done via a remote control The Wheeebo achieves an average walking speed of 5.5 km/h in the process. The power for this is provided by a nickel-hydrogen battery pack. The pack can be recharged a large number of times but has a lower energy density than that of the better-known lithium-ion technology. A full battery pack can be 'wheeebooded' for around 60 minutes.
Wheeebo is particularly designed for use under calm boating conditions in salt or fresh water. Depending on the user's weight and intended use, a Wheeebo with a diameter of 140 or 150 cm can be chosen.
video below shows the Wheeebo in action.
