The coolest thing we've seen for ages - The Easy Glider

Sometimes, a product comes along that just looks right and makes you smile. The Easy Glider is such a product. It's actually been around for some time now, but it came to our attention last night on the Gadget show on Channel 5 in the UK.

It's basically a scooter-segway-bike-hybrid sort of thing, with an electric powered front wheel, and a long handle which has a motorbike-like control for acceleration and braking. You can either hold onto the device and let it 'tow' you along on your roller-blades or skateboard, or there's a scooter-type platform which is part of the glider itself on which you can just stand.

Speed is controlled via a series of three keys - which, like the Segway - controls the maximum speed of the device - those top speeds being 6, 12, or 20 km/h, which is comparable to a pedal cycle in most people's hands.

The Glider wins you over with it's funky design, and the fact that it just looks so much fun - it's a total 'want one' product, somehow a fair bit funkier than a Segway - you can really see how it would appeal to kids and commuters alike.

As Lorenzo Wood suggests in the comments to Mark's link below, the details are few and far between (would love to know how far can you get on a charge, and how long is needed to charge it up for instance - if those who know are listening, we'd love to talk more) but I think he hits the nail on the head when he says:

"Could be the perfect thing to get to the station on. So much cooler than a Brompton [folding bicycle]"

In fact, this and an Aptera - which has that same level of cool in my eyes - would currently cover my entire transport needs - and is certainly much more fun for whizzing around London in than a car...

Aptera concept is fabulously futuristic - and has an electric range of around 120 miles

We'll see what more we can find out about this and report back, but for now enjoy the photos, and check out this video (click on the picture):

*Special thanks to Jo at Sign graphic design (who designed our website) for flagging this to Mark and myself, and finding the video - want a job Jo?!*

Related articles:
Imagination - is the segway the point at which it stops?
Links for 2007-09-28

Images: Easy Glider; Aptera

Posted by Joseph Simpson on 6th November 2007