A new age mobile experience

Its primary USP is convenience and freedom from having to walk, but using the IO walk — a recently launched Segway-like board — is not without its share of fun. Nimble in its response and surprisingly fast for its size, this eco-friendly personal mobility device, which is marketed by a Mumbai-based company, not surprisingly has found users in names as big as Shah Rukh Khan, Leander Paes et al. But you don’t have to be a superstar to get your hands on one as it’s priced just slightly over an expensive sports bicycle. While the thought of spending so much on something so small may seem like extravagance, anyone who has used the IO walk will agree that it surely packs enough in its package to justify the price tag.

While zooming past your friends and neighbours as they walk sounds like a lot of fun, trying to master it when you first step on it is a tough task. Remember the first time you tried to cycle When you put your trembling foot on the pedal and felt that this is something that you could never master For the uninitiated, getting on the IO walk is a similar bittersweet experience. But in its defence, while a cycle takes a good few months to master, all you need is 10 minutes to get the hang of it (after which it seems ridiculous how tough you thought it would be).

The concept is simple — all one has to do is put pressure on the front to move forward and likewise for reverse. And thanks to separate controls for each foot, one can even spin it on the spot, making tricky turns much easier. It comes with a remote and child-lock feature and a battery that can get you through 20 km on a full charge (which takes about three hours), which is more than enough to make sure you get through the entire day without walking. While the fact that it only functions well in smooth to moderately rough surfaces is its biggest constraint, keeping in mind that we live in concrete jungles, it doesn’t sound too bad. However, the best attribute of the IO walk is that it can take a beating; don’t be afraid to fall in the first few minutes for it may mean freedom from ever having to walk.

As hover boards become more and more common around the world, the IO Walk is surely a good option to go for, if you are thinking about buying one. And the best part is they personalise it for you with your favorite colours and you can even have your initials or a simple message put on it.

The three types of IO Walks: Elite Plus: Rs 55,000 (ABS body/Samsung battery/ hand handle for better control/ 2 colours) Elite: Rs 50,000 (ABS body/ Samsung battery/ Remote controls/ 6 colours) IO Beats: Rs 37,000 (Non-Samsung battery/ Bluetooth technology/ 3 colours)