from Hacker News

Üo – innovative 360° scooter that rides on a ball – OUT NOW

by recentdarkness on 4/20/17, 5:32 AM with 10 comments

• by eps on 4/20/17, 7:32 AM

  Looks interesting, but despite of pitch claims it doesn't actually look comfortable to ride.

  Judging by how stiff the guy is when riding it, this thing doesn't appear to be entirely self-balancing. He also seems to be leaning on the control rod on more than one occassion, so it's not just a joystick assembly, but a mechanical driving help too.

• by gargravarr on 4/20/17, 10:47 AM

  The amount of exposed components and the control stick in particular makes the device look pretty unfinished. The stick in particular is pretty unwieldly; it should be a handheld remote. That big metal pole is probably a safety hazard falling off when hitting a bump...

  A good choice by the designers to use standard Li-Po battery packs, but the cost of the unit without batteries is ridiculously expensive. Okay, good quality materials and manufacturing, but still... And at 33kg not including the ball (another 5kg) or batteries (who knows), that thing is frikkin' heavy!

  Not saying it isn't a good idea, but I don't particularly like the execution. I'll stick with my electric skateboard.

• by goldenkey on 4/20/17, 12:32 PM

  Looks like a huge safety hazard to me. You do NOT want your limbs getting in those direct-drive gears attached to this sphere.

• by RubyPinch on 4/20/17, 10:57 AM

  out now?

• by Odenwaelder on 4/20/17, 11:03 AM

  Üo, what a stupid name. How is it even pronounced? Leave the umlauts to ze germans, please.