Will YOU ever buy a Segway People Movier (aka "Ginger")?
Next year they'll be releasing the consumer version of the Segway people mover, estimated to cost around US$3000. Do you anticipate buying one next year, or in subsequent years as the price stabilizes at a lower level? How much do you think people will be willing to spend on one of these things, and who'll buy them?
Comments
There'll be the usual early adopters - the rich and famous who have to be first, the rich and famous who'll be given the things for free to boost the Segway's profile, the moron in accounting who has to have one and spends six months savings on it, and no doubt there'll be a USPO experiment that'll put in a large order.
I'm not a fan.
Just another toy for the rich to roll around their mansions in...
I live in Philly...where the sidewalks pitch and roll every 2 feet. This contraption would be derailed in minutes.
it's called feet, folks.
Can I get it in 4 wheel drive with 34 inch boggers?
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: trailmaster308 ]</p>
Given that Dean Kamen et al were pitching this thing as the greatest invention *ever*, what was Ginger supposed to be?
Its amazingly inexpensive for what it is, like three gyroscopes or something.
but who knows.
I know it's a completely different market, but in any environment where I would use a Segway, I'd just walk.
[ 11-02-2002: Message edited by: Matsu ]</p>
I'm with you on the Vespa thing, Matsu. I wouldn't mind a scooter, but to be honest I'd get myself killed within days riding it round Manhattan.
I've seen one in action up close, after a concert at Centennial Olympic Park here in Atlanta. They're very cool, and they DO have specific roles to fill in business and public service. The fear of another group reverse-engineering them has already been mentioned as one reason that they've been tight with the release schedule to this point in time.
For exercise they're worthless. For jobs where employees have large areas to cover these might begin to compete with golf carts and other types of people movers. Applications exist for people who are wheelchair-bound but would like to move around in a faster, more natural method.
The hype was very destructive to the Segway, but it will find its place. Some of the same technology which makes it work may find itself into other applications too.
Check back in 18 months!
D
as for batterys and "derailing"... lol
when he designed this, he designed it with all this in mind... its very versitile and has a long battery...
'eh, well nuthin like that will happen with the republicans in office...
more oil more oil more...
<strong>'eh, well nuthin like that will happen with the republicans in office...
more oil more oil more...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Your grasp of contemporary politics is humbling. ;-)
Not to mentioned how easy it would be for someone to tackle you.