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Feb 08 2005 2 Comments

A sweeping success?

If you thought the Segway was a little bit silly (or those of you from Britain and of a certain age, the Sinclair C5), take a look at the Sweeper.

sweeper japan

This preposterous contraption was developed by Hokkaido University associate professor Takayuki Tanaka, and is supposedly inspired by a witch’s broom. A piece of information which presumably tells us all we need to know about the Sweeper. And indeed Mr. Tanaka.

The device is equipped with a 300-watt electric motor, and can manage a measly half-hour 10 kph cruise after its battery is recharged for 2 hours. Which unfortunately is probably not long (or fast) enough to escape the taunts and ridicule of fellow pedestrians.

To see the machine in all its sweeping glory, click here for an exciting bit of video footage. And for all you thrill seekers out there, this clip was filmed at night. Which considering the Sweeper’s lack of lights and blistering top speed, makes for a gripping spectacle.

Categorized: Technology Stuff, Travel

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wahn says

    2/9/2005 at 11:40 am

    And does it sweep?

    Reply
  2. Bunny says

    2/9/2005 at 11:47 pm

    I’ve just been out for a spin on my own broom. My God, heads turned at my obvious street cred. Bugger C5s and Segways! For me, it’s all about getting from A to B in the most stylish fashion.

    They’ll talk about these babies in decades to come….

    Reply

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