Segway... fad or future?
 

So what do you think about the Segway HT (human transporter)? Does this thing have a future in our society or is it just a novel use of electronics? How would you sell it and who would buy it? Will we all be riding them in a few years or will it fade away?

Well it was released with a huge amount of free publicity from tv networks, newspapers about 3 years ago….

And that’s about it. No one bought one.

when they first came out they were rediculouslly(sp) expensive !! That was mistake #1

Only the filthy rich, or dot com-ers that could expense it to the company had them..

Everyone would have them now, if they were reasonably priced from the start and not a status symbol ....

so ... Fad - Yes , Future - NO , Past - yes


Don

Price them in the hundreds (or even $1000) and shrink 'em to the size of scooters and you'd have every kid in America running around on one. Look at the stupid scooters with tiny engines they run around on.

now sold at Sam's Club

Segway® Human Transporter (HT) P133
Personal Needs > Seasonal Items > 2004 Holiday Catalog Items > Tools & Gadgets
The Segway P133 model helps you negotiate your daily routine with ease.
Item: 188393
$2488.00

Pff, just build your own..

http://tlb.org/scooter.html

Walking...fad or fat and lazy?

I forget the website that sorta spoofed the Segway. A major cost of the device is it's gyro mechanism and control circuit. The website's suggestion was to simply drop the mechanism and electronics and just add a third wheel for balance.

I know there are distinct advantages of a self-powered, 2-wheeled transporter, but sometimes simple is best.

Sherwood

I had when I was a kid..it was called a skateboard.

I'd rather have one of those micro crotch Rockets. Or even an electric scooter...at least you have the fun of balancing the thing.

I throw the Segway into the Sony robotic puppy category.

I actually saw a couple of Segways in town a few weeks back. We were sitting in a bar and I saw these 2 people go by the window. Thought it was the bourbon talking at first .... but no. They pulled them up to the door and came in. They were with some sort of City Planning Association group.

One of the problems with these things is that they're too fast to drive comfortably on the sidewalk with pedestrians, but too slow to drive in the roadway. So what do ya do with them?

Biased opinion
 

I think it's a lame idea.

But then, I'm an investor in an electric bicycle company.

We think electric bikes are better because

1. you can go twice as fast

2. you can ride it like a bike if you want, or combine propulsion modes

3. you can take it with you because it's about 45lbs. as opposed to about 85 lbs.

4. you dont look like a fool using it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1100284041.jpg

http://burro-zvobikes.com/

Hehe - so I can put my Sony dog on a Segway and he can take a walk by himself?!? :eek: Sony robotic puppies and Segway HT's? What ever happened to walking your dog when you came home from work?!?

We Americans sure are lazy - we need gyroscopic controlled 'personal runabouts' to move down a block or two, and since we're too lazy to take care of real dogs, we have 'lectric pooches as our friends. What do they poop? Silicon?!? :D

Not to mention cell phones that are seemingly surgically attached to our ears, "online friends," PDA's that are more powerful than PC's from a few years ago, LCD screens & DVD's in our SUV's, e-Harmony internet dating services, e-Bay auctions, virtual EVERYTHING....and the list goes on...

Sheesh... it's the end of the world as we know it...
-Z-man.

Woof

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershopro...ges/tour01.jpg

About four years ago, I wrote a QA program for that Sony dog. I hated the thing. Very stupid waste of skills. Get a real puppy/dog. From a rescue, or a pound.

Tech: I've told you all along how great I think it is you're executing those bikes. Those are very useful tools.

But, think about the first time you heard about all these things... and the idea that someday everyone would own their own computer! :eek:

Will we look back in 10 years and remember these as the old days before everyone had a Segway? I know they don't make sense everywhere, but I do take my Trooper (at 16 mpg) to the Post Office, the store, to return a video etc. All these places are a bit far for walking, but I could see myself hopping on a Segway for quite a few errands.

"All these places are a bit far for walking, but I could see myself hopping on a Segway for quite a few errands."

There's probably a place for a small all-electric vehicle to do those in-town errands as well. I lose track of how many cold starts I make to drive the kids around, pick them up, go to the bank and the local brothel, err, I mean grocery store.

Sherwood

OK for errands that wo not require hauling anything bigger that a loaf of bread.

I would agree that a "trike" configuration or a bicycle with multiple power sources (and a basket) would be far more useful. Besides, how vandal proof are the Segways? If enought of them "hit the road", how long before they become one of the "top ten most stolen vehicles"?

With the bags (>$500 option) you can carry 75 pounds of stuff.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1100371791.jpg

Does it have a kick stand? How do you park it when it's turned off? Lay it down?

Bill, I want one of those bikes! The site doesn't say how much they cost. That's bad.

TW: That bike looks great!

I'm not sure about the DMV laws in Cali & Texas, but in NY, the Segway and the electric bike, are considered motor vehicles, require a Motor cycle/Drivers license, yearly inspection, etc.

One thing I didn't see mentioned here is that the Segway (while cool in my opinion) only has a usable range/battery life of ten miles. The extended battery is still only sixteen.

Not too sweet...

As was mentioned, good luck getting someone to use a segway in Boston anytime after August or before June.

It's better when friends buy and you test ride!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1100462946.jpg

Or a Ferrari...

just dont let the batteries die....they fall over when that happens.

I was reading somewhere that it was a big hooplah about it. After that was exposed, I didnt see much about them.

The early models were recalled to reprogram the software to prevent that little problem:

http://www.segway.com/support/recalls/recall_001.html

Make that thing hover a foot off the ground and I'm in. :D

Seriously, you can't take it on the road, and if there are too many of them on the sidewalk, it will be problematic. It's a big enough hassle to ride a bike on the sidewalk, that will be even tougher.

You can get a used motorcycle for $2-$3. Sure, there may be running costs, but you can go much quicker. Even a scooter can be bought new for $1000. Ciao!!

If you are against burning more fuel, there are plenty of electric 2-wheeled alternatives.

As far as efficiency, anyone know why they haven't created a diesel motorbike yet? Not for looks or speed, but for errands and commuting, that thing could run for weeks on one tank...

Diesel motorcycle you say???
http://www.peace65.freeserve.co.uk/Pictures/militaryproduction.htm

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-11/cu-fdm110304.php

that's pretty cool

lame fad...