This could be a glimpse of the future for Honda brand centres.

The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled an electric battery-powered personal transporter that riders steer by leaning in the direction they want to travel.

It will show the U3-X at Tokyo Motor Show next month.

The powered unicycle moves at the maximum speed of 3.7mph, around as fast as a brisk walk.

Weighing less than 10kg and only 2ft 2in tall, it has been designed to be suitable for use at home, unlike its much bigger rival, the Segway.

The self-balancing U3-X is powered by a lithium-ion battery and runs for an hour per charge.

Honda Chief Executive Takanobu Ito told reporters the machine could one day become the smallest means of transportation for human beings, though it is purely in the development stage and the automaker has no plans to start selling them now.

Ito said the U3-X's small size would make it an ideal indoor transport device.