Gizmodo: skate

Loop-In Concept Allows Users To Surf on Sidewalks

Don Nguyen — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:30:00 EDT

The Loop-In transportation concept hopes to combine the sensations of surfing and skating in to one device that users can use anywhere.

The outside wheels have the ability to maneuver on a wide variety of surfaces and rotate independently of the board. The designers expect their wheel/board setup will give users the feeling of "pushing on a wave continuously". Hopefully there are plans to manufacture the Loop-In soon, though I doubt it will be able to replicate the thrill of getting barreled. [Tuvie]

Skating Robot 'Swims' on Land

msparkes — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:44:53 EDT

This is the Roller-Walker, a four-legged robot which can either walk conventionally or skate on retractable wheels. At the end of each leg there is a wheel which can turn 90 degrees to act as a foot. On rough surfaces the robot walks, but if it comes across a smoother surface then it swings out its wheels and skates in a weirdly graceful swimming motion, just like a lycra clad roller-blader. See a video of it in action after the jump.

The Roller-Walker has been constructed by the Hirose-Fukushima Robotics Lab in Japan, and uses considerably less energy when skating than conventional walking robots. I want a car that weaves down the highway like this. [Robots.net]

Look Out, Here Comes the Human Skateboard

Charlie White — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:13:24 EDT

We're not getting a whole lot of info on the human skateboard dude here, but just look at the pic. The guy can even flip over on his back and keep rolling. He should market this thing. – Charlie White

Human Skate Board [Gizoo]