Ski-Less Skis?

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Photo by: Fasttrackski.co.uk

Aside from mall cops and the occasional super-nerd, the Segway personal transportation device never really caught on. Maybe that's because its makers didn't have their market dialed: Rather than gentle green-living types, perhaps they should have aimed their product at people who view speedily navigating crowds and zipping around obstacles as a good time. People like, say, skiers used to treeskiing and chair-funnel human traffic. Well, now Nissan has teamed up with a group of researchers at Japan's Advanced Institute of Science and Technology to develop a set of ski-less skis. Two short, wheeled boards strap to your feet, and tilt sensors detect when you shift your weight, allowing you to turn. A pair of poles also help guide your direction, but don't count on practicing your plants -- the poles are attached to the foot boards. We'll eat our ski hats if this thing ever comes to market, but at least someone's thinking of a new way for us to spend our summers.

Thumbnail by: Plastic Pals

Segway at a Ski Resort

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