If Wall-E made you smile with its dystopia of humans reduced to shapeless masses transported on floating armchairs, perhaps it's time to reconsider how prophetic that film was. Walkcar 2, the latest addition to the family Cocoa Motors, is a laptop-sized device that promises to eliminate the need to walk. Yes, you read that right: an object that you can slip into your backpack and, once removed, will carry you wherever you want to go without the slightest physical effort. Human laziness has found its Holy Grail, and frankly, I don't know whether to laugh or be concerned. Maybe both, as I watch this umpteenth step (pardon the pun) toward a future where even the most basic physical activity becomes optional.
The device that eliminates fatigue
Don't think it's an April Fool's joke, although the timing of the announcement is suspect. The Walkcar 2 is as real as our growing allergy to physical exertion. Weighing just 2,9 kg, this technological gem can be carried in a backpack, eliminating the parking problem altogether.
La standard version reaches 10 km/h and has a range of 7 km on a single charge, while the Pro version pushes the accelerator up to 15 km/h with a range of 8 km. Power of 380W for the basic model and 460W for the Pro. I wonder if we really need a device that solves a “problem” that does not exist, but then again that is exactly how Japanese innovation works.
There is no need for remote controls or handlebars: the walkcar simply responds to the movements of your body, as if you were surfing on the asphalt. The future is here, and it's lazy as ever.
The walkcar experience between comfort and risks
Using the Walkcar 2 seems to be an intuitive experience: to accelerate, simply press with the tips of your feet, to slow down they lift slightly, while to turn, you simply shift your weight in the desired direction. The device responds to your center of gravity, allowing for smooth navigation.
Despite its compact size, Cocoa Motors has implemented a surprisingly sophisticated suspension system. The standard model boasts a “2D suspension” that absorbs vertical and longitudinal vibrations, while the Pro version goes one step further with a “3D suspension technology” that manages movements in all directions.
It makes me wonder how many people could actually benefit from this device (like tourists who climb temples and mountains renting exoskeletons), and how many would simply use it to avoid moving their legs. The line between accessibility and indolence is thinner than ever.
Price and future prospects
At $1.299 for the standard model and $1.499 for the Pro version, the WalkCar 2 isn’t exactly cheap. Offered in four colors (Sonic Yellow, Sky Blue, Sand Beige, and Ink Black), it’s expected to begin shipping this month. Is the future of humans delegating even the act of walking to electronic devices? I hope not, but the market is moving in that direction. Because, hey, this device might be great for getting around quickly, but what it will do to your bathroom scale remains to be seen.
The 68Wh battery charges to 80% in just 30 minutes, and is compatible with most airlines. In short, we could soon see people “walking without walking” even in airports, surfing between gates without moving a muscle. The forbidden dream of an increasingly sedentary society is coming true, one walkcar at a time.
