The prototype that resulted from the collaboration is designed for urban traffic. It has two wheels, two seats and a very efficient consumption. General Motors plans to start making and selling the new vehicle in 2012.

 

The two-wheel vehicle called Puma will first be launched in New York. The small vehicle will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and can go about 35 miles with one charge. Considering the latest breakthrough inventions in the field of batteries especially from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the car could end up in the near future with much more efficient batteries. 

 

The name PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility. The two companies said the new vehicle will also be an important factor in reducing urban congestion and pollution.

 

"There's no technology that has to be invented here. It's really just putting the pieces together," says Chris Borroni-Bird, director of the project for GM.

 

GM and Segway said they plan to find new partners such as cities or colleges and together set up travel lanes for the new two-seat vehicle. On those lanes, the Puma’s would make full use of their wireless communicators which have the goal of keeping the vehicles at a safe distanc of one another. They would actually drive them selves, while people on board can do other tasks. The maxim speed would be of about 35 miles per hour, so forget about taking it on the highway.