Not such a cool cat

Published: April 10 2009 19:08

There is a near-heroic implausibility to the project. A once-proud Detroit giant now on its knees has joined forces with a group famed for a much-ridiculed scooter to produce a two-wheeled, two-seat electric car. The vehicle might as well bear a sign saying “Mock me”.
At this week’s New York Auto Show, General Motors and Segway unleashed the Puma on to an unsuspecting world unaware it needed yet another way to get around cities. The name stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility; its design is driverless rickshaw meets airline-seat legroom with yellow-and-black trim reminiscent of hazard tape.

The Puma can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. This makes it too slow for some roads but entertainingly (or frighteningly) fast for pavements and cycle lanes. Its makers claim it will enable “creativity, fashion, fun and social networking”.
That phrase is just one part of the sunny optimism of the enterprise. Its makers say confidently that the car will be fitted with technology that should allow it to drive itself. So instead of the person in the Puma being distracted from driving, the driver – or, indeed, the non-driver – will be free to focus on essential tasks such as e-mailing friends and chatting on the mobile.
Even bolder is the assertion that the Puma will be able to avoid collisions. Its makers say this means seat belts for “comfort purposes” only, and no need for airbags. Tell that to the motor insurers.
The kerbside of history is littered with past gadgets for personal transport. Many designs moved from gee-whizz to laughing stock without ever passing through must-have. But that is no reason to give up. Some prototypes of ultimately successful inventions had serious flaws. One precursor of the bicycle, for example, lacked not only pedals but steering. Even a product such as Daimler’s tiny Smart car, now a symbol of urban chic, spent its first 10 years losing big money. GM and Segway will need all their positive thinking. Let us hope they are not taking us for a ride.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009