[quote]Plus, what happens when there is snow or ice on the ground?<hr></blockquote>
The Segway can handle snow, ice, water, sand and gravel.
[quote]I'm surprised he didn't or doesn't go with a M-B or BMW co-branding option. Because for NOW, it is mostly for affluent, techno-geeks. Much like some fair-weathered toys with luxury brands.<hr></blockquote>
Read the TIME article and you will know why.
Kamen spent 10 years and 100 million dollars developing the Segway. He is setting up a brand new production line and dealing with marketing the product.
He wants it to be cheaper, and it will be cheaper, once things get moving. He isn't looking for it to be a yuppie toy, which it would be forever if BMW or Mercedees got their hands on it.
my belief is that everyone here who is nay-saying the device will change their tune once they actually get ON one. i'll bet you'll hand over your credit card despite your good judgement.
heck, i am shocked that so many people in forums devoted to the mac, which has made its business off of not being the cheapest. how many times have we used the defense, in the face of the microsoft/intel juggernaut, that you just have to USE a mac to understand? yet here, everyone seems to be bashing it on price first-and-foremost, and ignoring the potential, as well as what it offers right now.
i personally have a lot of back, knee and hip problems, and i am only 27. it hurts every morning to get up, and long-walks are out of the question, much less cycle-riding. i can't afford a car, parking permit, and insurance, especially since i live in the city. but this might be exacly what the doctor ordered.
of course, is it just me, or does anyone else think mr. kamen invented this device so he could appear taller around town (he's a little fella!)
It really is amazing how stupid purported technophiles can make themselves when they really want to.
Is this just sour grapes that he didn't unveil some anti-gravity device? Is it jealousy?
[quote]I guess the answer is always 42.....<hr></blockquote>
No, there are two answers:
1) Read the articles, half your questions are answered in them.
2) Use your brain, the other half *should* be answered then.
[quote]How fast can IT go and do I need a driver license?<hr></blockquote>
12mph (answered by a cursory read of the articles)
Will be determined by state and local governments as the thing is introduced. Kamen is hoping that it won't require any licensing and that a Segway user will be viewed as a regular pedestrian. (read the articles)
[quote]Is a helmet mandatory?<hr></blockquote>
Do you have to wear a helmet to walk?
[quote]What happens when it rains?<hr></blockquote>
Water collects in large moisture gatherings in the sky called "clouds", and when enough water gathers in one spot and the "cloud" is unable to support the weight the "drop" of water falls to the ground.
I don't think they put the motherboards and processors on the outside so there shouldn't be many worries here.
[quote]Can you change tires according to the season?<hr></blockquote>
No. They can make this thing self-balancing but different types of tires? No possibility.
[quote]Is insurance expensive?<hr></blockquote>
Yes.
[quote]Where can I put my shopping basket?<hr></blockquote>
Do you attach shopping baskets to your car? Do you walk to the grocery store?
[quote]How far can I drive before it needs a pit stop?<hr></blockquote>
15 miles. (Read the article)
[quote]Can I drive IT in the dark?<hr></blockquote>
Nope, it has special sensors that detect nighttime and it refuses to function at that point. Also, the concept of a small headlight is probably beyond these people that developed a wheelchair that can climb stairs and stand upright.
It's amazing how much energy people's imaginations put into what they thought this device might be. It's pathetic how so many have turned their imaginations off now that they know what the device is.
In an idealistic way, the sociological and environmental impact of the Segway HT stands to be enormous. And if anyone doesn't understand how, they must have either spent their entire lives on a farm and think people enjoy the congestion of living in cities or have no imagination. Or both.
Personally, I think that this is a great idea that will work its way into urban settings quite comfortably. I don't see it being much more of a toy in suburban settings, but still I can imagine myself taking a quick jaunt on one to the local grocery on a nice day... bit too long for a walk, but seems a shame to burn the gas.
My sister lives in Brooklyn and didn't own a car for years. When she was pregnant, it was a real hassle for her to get around to the market, the subway, etc. Something like this would have been a real godsend for her.
I'm also thinking of my trip to Greece earlier this year. There were nearly as many scooters and mopeds as cars in downtown Athens... I have no problem imagining SegWays becoming the transportation method of choice for many in such places, if the price drops significantly below that of an average scooter.
Quiet, efficient, easy to operate, safe, and cool... seems like a winner to me.
<strong>Segway is cool, even my troglodytic parents think so. Give the Segway a few years to mature and grow as a concept and it will fly...not literally.
I want one...</strong><hr></blockquote>
What's stopping it? I think it will fly, literally. I want one, too. It will replace the little k2 kickboard I got for riding to the bus stop (but that thing is pretty cool, so maybe not)
torifile, well, it uses gravity to work its wonders...with the gyroscopes. The minute you take the ground out from underneath it, you start falling..you have no weight. unless you're thinking of using a jet engine or rotor underneath to apply force in the opposite direction. If you're thinking about using planes to induce lift, that wouldn't work...you wouldn't have the luxury of being able to stop.
<strong>It really is amazing how stupid purported technophiles can make themselves when they really want to.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
o.k. then
..but i'd prefer a scooter then, it can go farther, it drives at night, it protects a little against weather, it only needs a pit stop every 100 miles or so, and it comes at $ 2000 less. Scooter one, IT nil.
When talking fashionable coolness I guess it would be IT one score, scooter nil however.
But I doubt that it sells well, given that those small European cars like Fiat stand no chance on the American market, so why should the average American now drive in something that is even smaller?
Actually Kate, I have a '79 Vespa 100cc scooter, and rusty as it may be, i get people of all walks of life asking me about it, talking about vespas, etc. They are especially hip amongst the arty crowd, which is handy, cuz I am an art student.
Depends on the scooter. More chrome=more cool. More 60's Mod-ish, the cooler still.
Thanks, seb. I was digging around on the "business" side of the site, assuming that there would be better quality video there. Oddly enough, the video page for business customers only contains WMP and Real files, while the page for consumers also includes QT files.
As with most new technology, the early adopters will have to plow the way for the mass market. Who imagined they wouldn't be able to live without a computer ten years ago? Did you know what e-mail was in 1991? Could you live without it today? There's a good chance that once I can legally go anywhere with a Segway, that I won't think twice about buying one.
I'm still worried about bumping into peope at rush hour. It's one thing to have a close encounter when walking at 3 mph, I imagine it's much more dangerous at 15 mph.
"I'm still worried about bumping into peope at rush hour. It's one thing to have a close encounter when walking at 3 mph, I imagine it's much more dangerous at 15 mph."
I imagine only those with poor judgement would travel on a Segway at 15 MPH on a sidewalk. You don't see many people runing on sidewalks, do you?
Besides, while its name is Ginger, and it can turn gingerly on a dime, it's nowhere near as agile as your own two feet. During rush hour, it would probably be impossible to even attempt travelling at 15 MPH. You don't see people plowing into pedestrians on bikes that often...or cars mowing down other people.
As long as people use ocmmon sense, Segway won't be to much of an intrusion on sidewalks.
The most likely consequence for Segway owners...they'll probably be chased by large dogs more often...
Comments
Chas
The Segway can handle snow, ice, water, sand and gravel.
[quote]I'm surprised he didn't or doesn't go with a M-B or BMW co-branding option. Because for NOW, it is mostly for affluent, techno-geeks. Much like some fair-weathered toys with luxury brands.<hr></blockquote>
Read the TIME article and you will know why.
Kamen spent 10 years and 100 million dollars developing the Segway. He is setting up a brand new production line and dealing with marketing the product.
He wants it to be cheaper, and it will be cheaper, once things get moving. He isn't looking for it to be a yuppie toy, which it would be forever if BMW or Mercedees got their hands on it.
How fast can IT go and do I need a driver license?
Is a helmet mandatory?
What happens when it rains?
Can you change tires according to the season?
Is insurance expensive?
Where can I put my shopping basket?
How far can I drive before it needs a pit stop?
Can I drive IT in the dark?
Would I want one?
huh?
I guess the answer is always 42.....
heck, i am shocked that so many people in forums devoted to the mac, which has made its business off of not being the cheapest. how many times have we used the defense, in the face of the microsoft/intel juggernaut, that you just have to USE a mac to understand? yet here, everyone seems to be bashing it on price first-and-foremost, and ignoring the potential, as well as what it offers right now.
i personally have a lot of back, knee and hip problems, and i am only 27. it hurts every morning to get up, and long-walks are out of the question, much less cycle-riding. i can't afford a car, parking permit, and insurance, especially since i live in the city. but this might be exacly what the doctor ordered.
of course, is it just me, or does anyone else think mr. kamen invented this device so he could appear taller around town (he's a little fella!)
<a href="http://www.segway.com"; target="_blank">www.segway.com</a>
There's a pretty cool video of it at the site.
It'd be nice if they cut out half of the taxi's in NYC and replaced em with these baby's. Ah...fresh air. What a dream.
I wonder when the traffic cops will get em.
Is this just sour grapes that he didn't unveil some anti-gravity device? Is it jealousy?
[quote]I guess the answer is always 42.....<hr></blockquote>
No, there are two answers:
1) Read the articles, half your questions are answered in them.
2) Use your brain, the other half *should* be answered then.
[quote]How fast can IT go and do I need a driver license?<hr></blockquote>
12mph (answered by a cursory read of the articles)
Will be determined by state and local governments as the thing is introduced. Kamen is hoping that it won't require any licensing and that a Segway user will be viewed as a regular pedestrian. (read the articles)
[quote]Is a helmet mandatory?<hr></blockquote>
Do you have to wear a helmet to walk?
[quote]What happens when it rains?<hr></blockquote>
Water collects in large moisture gatherings in the sky called "clouds", and when enough water gathers in one spot and the "cloud" is unable to support the weight the "drop" of water falls to the ground.
I don't think they put the motherboards and processors on the outside so there shouldn't be many worries here.
[quote]Can you change tires according to the season?<hr></blockquote>
No. They can make this thing self-balancing but different types of tires? No possibility.
[quote]Is insurance expensive?<hr></blockquote>
Yes.
[quote]Where can I put my shopping basket?<hr></blockquote>
Do you attach shopping baskets to your car? Do you walk to the grocery store?
[quote]How far can I drive before it needs a pit stop?<hr></blockquote>
15 miles. (Read the article)
[quote]Can I drive IT in the dark?<hr></blockquote>
Nope, it has special sensors that detect nighttime and it refuses to function at that point. Also, the concept of a small headlight is probably beyond these people that developed a wheelchair that can climb stairs and stand upright.
It's amazing how much energy people's imaginations put into what they thought this device might be. It's pathetic how so many have turned their imaginations off now that they know what the device is.
In an idealistic way, the sociological and environmental impact of the Segway HT stands to be enormous. And if anyone doesn't understand how, they must have either spent their entire lives on a farm and think people enjoy the congestion of living in cities or have no imagination. Or both.
[ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: seb ]</p>
<strong>
It'd be nice if they cut out half of the taxi's in NYC and replaced em with these baby's. Ah...fresh air. What a dream.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Steve Jobs saw the Segway HT early on but the Segway site only features WMP and Real videos of the thing. WTF?
Escher
<a href="http://www.segway.com/consumer/connect/multimedia.html"; target="_blank">http://www.segway.com/consumer/connect/multimedia.html</a>;
By the way, this link at abc news has a pic of a Segway with what appear to be saddlebags and a basket attached. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/GoodMorningAmerica/GMA011203What_IT_is.html"; target="_blank">link</a>
My sister lives in Brooklyn and didn't own a car for years. When she was pregnant, it was a real hassle for her to get around to the market, the subway, etc. Something like this would have been a real godsend for her.
I'm also thinking of my trip to Greece earlier this year. There were nearly as many scooters and mopeds as cars in downtown Athens... I have no problem imagining SegWays becoming the transportation method of choice for many in such places, if the price drops significantly below that of an average scooter.
Quiet, efficient, easy to operate, safe, and cool... seems like a winner to me.
And... this is just the first model...
I want one...
<strong>Segway is cool, even my troglodytic parents think so. Give the Segway a few years to mature and grow as a concept and it will fly...not literally.
I want one...</strong><hr></blockquote>
What's stopping it? I think it will fly, literally. I want one, too. It will replace the little k2 kickboard I got for riding to the bus stop (but that thing is pretty cool, so maybe not)
<strong>It really is amazing how stupid purported technophiles can make themselves when they really want to.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
o.k. then
..but i'd prefer a scooter then, it can go farther, it drives at night, it protects a little against weather, it only needs a pit stop every 100 miles or so, and it comes at $ 2000 less. Scooter one, IT nil.
When talking fashionable coolness I guess it would be IT one score, scooter nil however.
But I doubt that it sells well, given that those small European cars like Fiat stand no chance on the American market, so why should the average American now drive in something that is even smaller?
Depends on the scooter. More chrome=more cool. More 60's Mod-ish, the cooler still.
<strong>This page has all three media types:
<a href="http://www.segway.com/consumer/connect/multimedia.html"; target="_blank">http://www.segway.com/consumer/connect/multimedia.html</a></strong><hr></blockquote>;
Thanks, seb. I was digging around on the "business" side of the site, assuming that there would be better quality video there. Oddly enough, the video page for business customers only contains WMP and Real files, while the page for consumers also includes QT files.
As with most new technology, the early adopters will have to plow the way for the mass market. Who imagined they wouldn't be able to live without a computer ten years ago? Did you know what e-mail was in 1991? Could you live without it today? There's a good chance that once I can legally go anywhere with a Segway, that I won't think twice about buying one.
I'm still worried about bumping into peope at rush hour. It's one thing to have a close encounter when walking at 3 mph, I imagine it's much more dangerous at 15 mph.
Escher
No pedals, no hand or foot operated brakes. Nothing.
I imagine only those with poor judgement would travel on a Segway at 15 MPH on a sidewalk. You don't see many people runing on sidewalks, do you?
Besides, while its name is Ginger, and it can turn gingerly on a dime, it's nowhere near as agile as your own two feet. During rush hour, it would probably be impossible to even attempt travelling at 15 MPH. You don't see people plowing into pedestrians on bikes that often...or cars mowing down other people.
As long as people use ocmmon sense, Segway won't be to much of an intrusion on sidewalks.
The most likely consequence for Segway owners...they'll probably be chased by large dogs more often...
[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Eugene ]</p>