Car Moon

British tycoon and owner of the Segway company, Jimi Heseldon, has died after reportedly driving one of the firm's motorized two-wheelers off a cliff and into a river near his estate in Thorp Arch, Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, on Sunday, according to news reports.

General Motors and Segway unveiled an early prototype of a carbon-free, battery-powered two-wheeler vehicle that can accommodate two passengers at a press event preceding the 2009 New York International Auto Show. Called the P.U.M.A. Project that stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, the two-wheeler is a more-practical and vehicle-like proposal (or motorcycle in a twisted, 90-degree sort of way) than the original Segway. Though the 'naked' prototype is fully operational, don't expect to see a production version any time soon.

In a surprising move, General Motors and Segway announced that they have joined forces to create an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle with two wheels. Referred to as the Project P.U.M.A. which stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, the two-wheeler is still far away from production with the prototype models lacking any type of bodywork.

"Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world's people live," said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning.

Among the various technologies demonstrated on the Project P.U.M.A. are the electric drive and batteries, dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing), all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking, vehicle-to-vehicle communications and autonomous driving and parking.

The prototype vehicle can travel at speeds up to 35mph or 56 km/h, with a range of up to 35 miles or 56 km)between recharges. The two-wheeler will make its debut (as a prototype of course) at this week's New York Auto Show.