Gotta love the Italians...

[brooklynite]

Vespa’s creator set to unveil futuristic two-wheeled autonomous rolling backpack

Your probably know Piaggio better as the brand behind the iconic Vespa two-wheeled mopeds. But now, it’s looking to score a coup in the United States with its new Piaggio Fast Forward venture. This starts with its first product, the two-wheeled autonomous cargo carrier called Gita. Pronounced jee-ta, which is translated to ‘short trip’ from Italian, this ball on wheels is designed to carry up to 40 pounds of your personal gear.

This isn’t a gimmick. There is serious technology behind Gita. Starting with its unique design that sports a zero-turn radius wheelbase that can hit top speeds of 22MPH. That makes it ideal for running or riding your bike. But how does it work? Gita has built-in obstacle avoidance technology that ensures your cargo will arrive without accident. For city dwellers, having a walking backpack could be a pretty cool way to get from point A to B. Think about walking home from the grocery store with this beauty in-tow. Piaggio Fast Forward is set to officially unveil Gita on Thursday in Boston. Final pricing is likely to be available at that time.

[SticksnStones]

1. As a NYer I don't see how this helps

I see people tripping over it in congested transportation hubs like Penn Station or Grand Central...I don't see how you'd get it down a flight of subway stairs. I see it taking up much more room than a backpack would on a bus or subway. I see it below any taxi driver's line of site and getting hit...I see nefarious types scooping it up and running off with its contents.

But it does look cool.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Wouldn't work in a densely populated area

However, it may work in a small town or in other less densely populate areas.
Now people use their car when they have to move heavy items, even if they are going short distances. This would enable people to walk while transporting objects too heavy to carry.

[SticksnStones]

4. But it's being rolled out in Boston?

I think it's a wonderful idea. And if more people are walking instead of driving that's a win.

But as you wrote as well, it's not for densely populated areas. Much like the Segway.

It's price will dictate how willing people are to walk instead of drive to the store for small grocery runs...IMO

[FSogol]

2. 40 pounds. That's 6 and 2/3rds six packs!