Everyone who's underwhelmed by the prospect of an electrically powered scooter needs to back up a few steps and take a look at the technology that makes this possible. It's incredible.
There is no conventional motor, and it balances itself. Balance is something that's typically been in the realm of living creatures. Not only does this thing balance, it appears to balance *better* than a human being can. This, by itself, is incredibly cool.
However, the absolute most groundbreaking feature of this thing is the way it propels itself, as well as the intuitiveness with which it works. Lean forward on it, and it attempts to compensate for the weight change by balancing itself. To balance itself, it must move forward, yet you haven't leaned back yet, so it must attempt to balance itself again. Not only is this an ingenous way of propelling something, but it's *extremely* efficient. This machine has roughly twice the range of the electric scooters that are already in existance, using almost the exact same batteries. <a href="http://shop.xootr.com/xootr/ex32.asp"; target="_blank">Here.</a> Keep in mind, the Segway, in it's *first* incarnation, is twice as efficient as the conventional electric motor seen on the Xootr.
Now, consider the intuitiveness with which you operate the scooter. Lean forward, and it moves forward... just like walking. Lean forward, and you fall forward until you catch yourself with another step. Lean back on the scooter, it stops and backs up... *just* like walking. Compare this to the counter-intuitive bicycle and scooter. Neither of these operate in a way typical humans are used to working.
Also, consider the advances being made in batteries are stored electricity. Pop a small fuel cell (when someone finally builds one) into this thing, and it's range is incredible.
As it stands right now, I'm still fascinated at the idea of owning one of these things. It would be great for getting around campus. It's stable and maneuverable enough to be on the sidewalks without me worrying about killing someone, or myself, and I can fold it up and carry it inside with me.
And yes, because of the way this device works, it needs almost no traction. I would imagine you could drive across an ice rink with very few problems. In rain and snow it will be great, I won't sling mud water all over myself like happens on a bike, and I'm still going faster than I'd walk.
Also, consider my little sister. She has Cerebral Palsey, but she can still walk. She doesn't need a wheelchair, or a walker, but it's a strain on her to go a significant distance. I'll be buying her a Segway when she goes to college.
Off topic (therapuetic cloning is another thread) and way, WAY off base (just because I disagree with you doesn't make me a luddite or techno-phobe...I think my line of questioning and reasoning in the other thread and this one should indicate I'm not just trying to bad mouth these things for the hell of it. I have genuine concern behind my doubts.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Didn't you see the winky smiley? I was teasing you a bit there, but if I had to defend myself I would point out that you were offering up the Una-bomber as an example of the anti-technology Luddite crowd and he was, afterall, not a big fan of genetic technology. Regardless, it was a joke, please take it in good humor.
"Nordy": Must've missed the smiley. My mistake...no offense taken if none intended.
"Ducky": I should reiterate what I said yesterday. I agree the gyro-stabilizer functionality of this thing is pretty cool (and in fact could have a big impact in other scientific endeavors down the road)....
As for your sister, I commend your line of thinking where the Segway is concerned. I have no doubt it could be useful to her and others who might otherwise might have trouble getting around. Most of my arguments though, are intended to focus on the average man (or woman) as being at the helm...and a crowded city walkway or street as the venue.
On many college campuses (where big, omni-present sidewalk systems are the norm) and in places where the amount of sidewalk traffic is otherwise constrained to manageable levels, I agree the Segway could be useful to some. Though still no more so than walking or biking or even roller-blading for most (i.e. people are lazy)....
Calm down, alliance, it'll be OK. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. Just relax, deep breaths.
Moogs:
[quote]What I *am* saying is that it presents just as much potential for causing accidents .. as other traditional modes of transport.<hr></blockquote>
... and I'm saying you're just wrong.
Bikes are more dangerous and a much bigger nuisance. And so on and so forth we'd be talking in circles to continue this way.
This thing is enhanced walking. You *can* walk faster, but that doesn't mean you *have* to or that it is difficult to do so. Apparently this thing excels at stopping and starting slowly again. (I have, of course, never ridden one so this is based on press coverage)
I don't see how this interferes much with a crowd of people, the wheelbase isn't wider than your average set of human shoulders and the length of it is negligible.
The only nuisance I see is the speed. You have a crowd of people and some jackass on a Segway trying to plow through at high speeds. You don't blame the device you blame the jack-ass controlling it. I don't hate bikes because of that prick who wet flying through the puddle and got me wet two weeks ago.
<strong>Calm down, alliance, it'll be OK. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. Just relax, deep breaths.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
nice attempt at just blowing off the fact that yer an ass...
dude, i dont give a shit that u singled me out--what bugs me about yer attitude is that u never hesitate to exploit any potential stereotype and judge people based solely on that before u know any of the facts...
oh, and why cant u ever be wrong?? shit dude, build some humility--pride is bad fer ya, didnt u know that???
<strong>Dean Kamen has written a <a href="http://theITquestion.com/news/kamenletter_120301.asp"; target="_blank">letter</a> to the people who frequent(ed) 'the it question' website. ?It's incredible how stupid some of those people are acting. They're disappointed because they expected cold fusion flying hovercrafts and crazy teleportation devices.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, they had some really ridiculous and impossibly high expectations over there. *cough*Future Hardware*cough*
<strong>Actually Gorgonzola, Dean Kamen has repeatedly stated that the Segway is not intended to replace the car. Read the Time article. It's in <a href="http://time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,186660-3,00.html"; target="_blank">plain english.</a></strong><hr></blockquote>
Ok. I didn't read that article at all, and I haven't been following the IT thing that closely. My fault.
Comments
There is no conventional motor, and it balances itself. Balance is something that's typically been in the realm of living creatures. Not only does this thing balance, it appears to balance *better* than a human being can. This, by itself, is incredibly cool.
However, the absolute most groundbreaking feature of this thing is the way it propels itself, as well as the intuitiveness with which it works. Lean forward on it, and it attempts to compensate for the weight change by balancing itself. To balance itself, it must move forward, yet you haven't leaned back yet, so it must attempt to balance itself again. Not only is this an ingenous way of propelling something, but it's *extremely* efficient. This machine has roughly twice the range of the electric scooters that are already in existance, using almost the exact same batteries. <a href="http://shop.xootr.com/xootr/ex32.asp"; target="_blank">Here.</a> Keep in mind, the Segway, in it's *first* incarnation, is twice as efficient as the conventional electric motor seen on the Xootr.
Now, consider the intuitiveness with which you operate the scooter. Lean forward, and it moves forward... just like walking. Lean forward, and you fall forward until you catch yourself with another step. Lean back on the scooter, it stops and backs up... *just* like walking. Compare this to the counter-intuitive bicycle and scooter. Neither of these operate in a way typical humans are used to working.
Also, consider the advances being made in batteries are stored electricity. Pop a small fuel cell (when someone finally builds one) into this thing, and it's range is incredible.
As it stands right now, I'm still fascinated at the idea of owning one of these things. It would be great for getting around campus. It's stable and maneuverable enough to be on the sidewalks without me worrying about killing someone, or myself, and I can fold it up and carry it inside with me.
And yes, because of the way this device works, it needs almost no traction. I would imagine you could drive across an ice rink with very few problems. In rain and snow it will be great, I won't sling mud water all over myself like happens on a bike, and I'm still going faster than I'd walk.
Also, consider my little sister. She has Cerebral Palsey, but she can still walk. She doesn't need a wheelchair, or a walker, but it's a strain on her to go a significant distance. I'll be buying her a Segway when she goes to college.
[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: RubberDucky ]</p>
<strong>Nordstradamus:
Off topic (therapuetic cloning is another thread) and way, WAY off base (just because I disagree with you doesn't make me a luddite or techno-phobe...I think my line of questioning and reasoning in the other thread and this one should indicate I'm not just trying to bad mouth these things for the hell of it. I have genuine concern behind my doubts.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Didn't you see the winky smiley? I was teasing you a bit there, but if I had to defend myself I would point out that you were offering up the Una-bomber as an example of the anti-technology Luddite crowd and he was, afterall, not a big fan of genetic technology. Regardless, it was a joke, please take it in good humor.
"Ducky": I should reiterate what I said yesterday. I agree the gyro-stabilizer functionality of this thing is pretty cool (and in fact could have a big impact in other scientific endeavors down the road)....
As for your sister, I commend your line of thinking where the Segway is concerned. I have no doubt it could be useful to her and others who might otherwise might have trouble getting around. Most of my arguments though, are intended to focus on the average man (or woman) as being at the helm...and a crowded city walkway or street as the venue.
On many college campuses (where big, omni-present sidewalk systems are the norm) and in places where the amount of sidewalk traffic is otherwise constrained to manageable levels, I agree the Segway could be useful to some. Though still no more so than walking or biking or even roller-blading for most (i.e. people are lazy)....
[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Moogs ? ]</p>
Moogs:
[quote]What I *am* saying is that it presents just as much potential for causing accidents .. as other traditional modes of transport.<hr></blockquote>
... and I'm saying you're just wrong.
Bikes are more dangerous and a much bigger nuisance. And so on and so forth we'd be talking in circles to continue this way.
This thing is enhanced walking. You *can* walk faster, but that doesn't mean you *have* to or that it is difficult to do so. Apparently this thing excels at stopping and starting slowly again. (I have, of course, never ridden one so this is based on press coverage)
I don't see how this interferes much with a crowd of people, the wheelbase isn't wider than your average set of human shoulders and the length of it is negligible.
The only nuisance I see is the speed. You have a crowd of people and some jackass on a Segway trying to plow through at high speeds. You don't blame the device you blame the jack-ass controlling it. I don't hate bikes because of that prick who wet flying through the puddle and got me wet two weeks ago.
<strong>Calm down, alliance, it'll be OK. Sorry if I hurt your feelings. Just relax, deep breaths.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
nice attempt at just blowing off the fact that yer an ass...
dude, i dont give a shit that u singled me out--what bugs me about yer attitude is that u never hesitate to exploit any potential stereotype and judge people based solely on that before u know any of the facts...
oh, and why cant u ever be wrong?? shit dude, build some humility--pride is bad fer ya, didnt u know that???
Now.
Thank you.
Ok, no more "gomer", just "alliance" from now on.
Back to your regularly scheduled thread.
<strong>Dean Kamen has written a <a href="http://theITquestion.com/news/kamenletter_120301.asp"; target="_blank">letter</a> to the people who frequent(ed) 'the it question' website. ?It's incredible how stupid some of those people are acting. They're disappointed because they expected cold fusion flying hovercrafts and crazy teleportation devices.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah, they had some really ridiculous and impossibly high expectations over there. *cough*Future Hardware*cough*
<strong>Actually Gorgonzola, Dean Kamen has repeatedly stated that the Segway is not intended to replace the car. Read the Time article. It's in <a href="http://time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,186660-3,00.html"; target="_blank">plain english.</a></strong><hr></blockquote>
Ok. I didn't read that article at all, and I haven't been following the IT thing that closely. My fault.