Project P.U.M.A.
GM and Segway Join Forces to Reinvent Urban Transportation
Unique solution opens new horizons in personal mobility
Project P.U.M.A.
NEW YORK – General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.
Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly – and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.
GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.
“Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world’s people live,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning. “Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the ability of people to move through cities, find places to park and connect to their social and business networks.”
Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. addresses those concerns. It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking. Those technologies integrate in Project P.U.M.A. to increase mobility freedom, while also enabling energy efficiency, zero emissions, enhanced safety, seamless connectivity and reduced congestion in cities.
“We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility,” said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. “There’s an emotional connection you get when using Segway products. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.”
Project P.U.M.A. vehicles will also allow designers to create new fashion trends for cars, and to focus on the passion and emotion that people express through their vehicles while creating solutions that anticipate the future needs of urban customers.
The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. The result is an advanced and functional concept that demonstrates the capabilities of technology that exists today.
Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.
Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.
GM has been a leader in “connected vehicle” technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don’t crash and drive themselves.
“Imagine moving about cities in a vehicle fashioned to your taste, that’s fun to drive and ride in, that safely takes you where you want to go, and “connects” you to friends and family, while using clean, renewable energy, producing zero vehicle tailpipe emissions, and without the stress of traffic jams,” said Burns. “And imagine doing this for one-fourth to one-third the cost of what you pay to own and operate today’s automobile. This is what Project P.U.M.A. is capable of delivering.”
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), one of the world’s largest automakers, was founded in 1908, and today manufactures cars and trucks in 34 countries. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 243,000 people in every major region of the world, and sells and services vehicles in some 140 countries. In 2008, GM sold 8.35 million cars and trucks globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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Think of it as a digital solution to an analog problem. Segway’s P.U.M.A. (Personal
Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype represents the shift that’s needed for the future of transportation. It values less over more; taking up less space, using less energy, produced more efficiently with fewer parts, creating fewer emissions during production and operation, all while offering more enjoyment, productivity, and connectivity.
Take a test drive and you quickly understand that this is something completely different. The elegance and maneuverability of dynamic stabilization combined with proven battery, sensing, and controls technologies come together to solve real transportation challenges. This prototype represents only the first step of what’s possible in a technology collaboration between Segway and General Motors.
The P.U.M.A. Prototype in Action
Share+Embed Code: P.U.M.A. Prototype Movement
Share+Embed Code: Project P.U.M.A. Autonomous Operation
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The P.U.M.A. Prototype in Action
P.U.M.A. Prototype Movement
Project P.U.M.A. Autonomous Operation
Project P.U.M.A. Prototype
Dynamic Stabilization
That’s fancy speak for the tech that enables balancing. It’s proprietary and full of benefits such as incredible maneuverability (true zero turning radius), a small footprint and providing a fantastically unique riding experience.
Electric Propulsion
Besides being clean and extremely efficient, electric propulsion enables fine adjustments to be made to each wheel (for turning and smoothing out the ride), and a precise, software-based approach to traction control and braking.
Intuitive User Interfaces
When you feel it, you know it. Segway’s approach to user control is that of minimalism and a natural connection between man and machine. Our innovative sensing technologies allow us to look beyond traditional controls that haven’t changed dramatically since the introduction of the automatic transmission.
Smart battery management
Segway is one of the world’s largest customers of large format batteries, and was at the forefront of the development of Lithium Ion batteries for transportation. We’ve learned a lot about the advanced sensing needed inside and applied this expertise to allow for more efficient energy use that leads to a longer battery life. Add in regenerative braking capability (being able to recharge while decelerating) and that’s some smart battery tech.
Advanced Sensing
If there’s a feeling you get when trying a Segway product, it’s like it can almost read your mind. Well, it’s not magic. It’s the combination of propulsion, energy, inertial sensing and an incredibly intuitive user interface that enables a ride that will force you to hold back a smile. Hopefully someday you’ll have a chance to try it out and feel good about your commute instead of fearing it.
Drive-by-wire
Mechanical controls are so yesterday. We’re all about using the latest in sensory technology to enable safe control through redundant systems that provide input for acceleration, braking, steering, and other functions.
Digital Dashboard
Get all the information you need about system operation through connected devices. Speed, battery life, and other connectivity information are all conveyed over a secure wireless connection to a handheld device that can be mounted on the dash.
Q: What are the specifications for this prototype?
A: Passengers: Currently configured for 2, but could carry more
Top speed: Aimed to travel between 25 and 35 mph (40 – 56 kph)
Range: Aimed to have a 25 – 35 mile range (40 – 56 km)
Weight: Currently ~300 lbs/136 kg
Key/system information: Wireless via handheld
Charge time: ~5-8 hours
Turning radius: Zero
(All specs are approximate and do not imply intended configuration if it or a variant were ever to productized.)
Q: How much does it cost in electricity to recharge?
A: Based on the current battery configuration, it’s about $.60 in electricity to recharge.
Q: How do you accelerate?
A: Push the steering console forward to alter the position of the center of mass of the vehicle and it’ll naturally accelerate forward.
Q: How does it brake?
A: Perform the opposite by pulling the steering console toward you.
Q: How does it balance?
A: It uses an array of angular rate sensors and accelerometers to determine the orientation and motion of the vehicle’s platform. As the platform leans forward, the balance sensor assembly notices and responds by requesting power to the motors to drive the wheels forward to maintain balance.
Q: When can I get one?
A: This is only a prototype with no current plans to offer it for sale, but you can sign up for our company newsletter here to receive more information about Segway.
Q: In what weather conditions can this be ridden?
A: The prototype has not been tested in adverse weather. Additional development would be necessary to determine the proper enclosure to protect against the elements and maintain traction control.
Q: What sort of terrain does it travel over?
A: The prototype was developed to travel over smooth terrain as a demonstration of what’s possible with existing technology.
Q: What would this cost if it were to come to market tomorrow?
A: Think about this prototype as building up from a Segway PT, not down from a car. As such, there are a lot of components that can be eliminated and cost saved. Still, batteries are a significant portion of any electric transportation product. Range configurations would sway any figure significantly. So we’re not going to share a figure at this time, but it’s probably less than most current small car prices.
Q: How can I get one?
A: There’s only one in the world.