After introducing a couple of self-balancing transporter balancing-based go-karts (including a super dope Lamborghini co-branded model), parent company of Segway, Ninebot, has another radical idea: turning a self-balancing transporter into a fighting chariot.
The product, loosely translated to Ninebot Self-balancing Transporter Mecha Chariot, will turn Ninebot self-balancing transporter into a 4-wheel drifting kart and a Xploderz water gun on wheels. Basically, it is a water gun on wheels, which sure sounds like hell lot of fun to me.
The mecha chariot is armed with a pair on water pellet guns and trigger-equipped dual joystick for vehicle control and firing of the water pellet guns. The water pellet guns feature dual water pellet magazines with automatic ammunition loading, and anti-glare light to aid in aiming.
There is built-in speaker and Bluetooth connectivity for playing sound effects for dramatic shoot out, or if you so desire, streaming preferred music. It also has voice-based tutorial, in Chinese, of course, to get beginner started.
Mecha Chariot is built around a super-strength steel frame with all-round collision protection, and boasts fancy RGB under-vehicle light. It is app-enabled, allowing you to select the color of the light, view the vehicle parameter in real-time, and believe it or not, it (the app) also serve as a remote control for the ride, allowing for remote controlled combat.
Finally, rounding up the package is a safety feature; the vehicle will only move and fire only when both hands are on the joysticks to prevent accident moving off or firing.
Ninebot said the Ninebot Self-balancing Transporter Mecha Chariot is suitable for Ninebot Self-balancing Transporter series and it is compact enough to fit into the trunk of SUV.
Ninebot is currently crowdfunding the Mecha Chariot on its online flagship store on Tmall.com. It is selling it as a kit without the self-balancing transporter or as a bundle with the Ninebot Self-balancing Transporter Nano.
Prices for the kit-only is 1,399 yuan (roughly US212) and the Ninebot Nano bundle is being crowdfunded for 2,498 yuan (about US$379).
Unfortunately, it does not appear to be available outside of China. But I am confident it is a matter of time before Segway Ninebot take it to Indiegogo. I assume there are some regulatory things to clear before that can happen.
Meanwhile, if you are interested in just electric go-karting, the Ninebot Gokart PRO is still available to order on Indiegogo InDemand.
Images: Tmall (Ninebot Flagship Store) [CH].