Exclusively at Amazon.com! Segway Human Transporter

[jhbball]

Originally posted by: jumpr
They've already been banned from city streets and sidewalks in Ann Arbor. No sale for me.

Stupid Ann Arbor It's no east lansing.


Oh, and about the affirmative action quote in your profile... hmm... lemme guess... you're rich and white?

j/k

 

[Rorschach]

Rorschach:

I believe we agree on the same principles about this item but are arguing the opposite sides. We both believe that at this current stage that it is too expensive for the avg consumer, but you are most likely implying that once it gains adoption that it will be useful. I believe a few people were making references to how the car was laughed at initially. I too, agree that if there is a mass adoption that our methods of traveling around for local tasks will definitely change.

I think the nay-sayers are saying that it's cost / current efficiency impedes it from gaining adoption. Myself included. I think during these economic times, it will be tough to adopt something this expensive. We already have the tools to go about our lives without this contraption and I believe it would take someone quite a whiles to regain/save the $5000 dollars spent on this item. The timing is definitely off but who's to say that some new imitation a few years from now might now wow all of us. But for the time being, Kamen should promote and work on some of his other inventions.

I agree that it's not cost effective at this time, that's why I don't own one. My problem is with the arguments that try to discredit the device altogether without really any thoughtful backing. It will not make people fatter, that's an argument that would spread to so many things that the segway would get lost in the shuffle right away. It's a much more graceful solution than a motorbike (when, if, it becomes reasonably priced).

People seem to have an aversion to the segway for some reason. Look back on the comments and you'll see so many people have a negative gut reaction to it. I don't know why that is.

All in all I'm just a techo-nerd and I appreciate the elegant technology in this thing. To me it's a good thing and I'm surprised when everyone wants to disparage it.

 

[Penalty]

I'm glad everyone who has posted is healthy. If I could afford it, the Segway would be perfect for my wife. Because of a health condition, she has to be very careful as to how far, long and fast she walks. But, since that doesn't qualify for a handicap parking sticker ( and she refuses to even ask for one), she walks about 3/4 mile each way to/from the "day" student parking lot to class. Just like Kamen's wheelchair, the intent of this device is for people like my wife who can't make that walk and cars/motorcycles/scooters/bikes aren't appropriate. Although most of the buyers treat it like a toy, it has a real purpose for others. And, the more people who want it as a toy the greater the chance the price will drop to one we can afford as production ramps up.

 

[PrinceXizor]

1. The engineering is fantastic, no doubts there.
2. So the useful operating range (currently) is 5 miles or so depending upon charge.

Why o' why is this a better option than a traditional bicycle?

The initial investment is much cheaper. The cost of operation is extremely low. The drawbacks of a bike (one person, bad weather, weight limit, limited storage) are the same as the segway.

The problem with the Segway is all a function of the market it is targeting:

1. It is too costly.
2. A common bicycle already fulfills all of its functions (save for requiring no physical exertion) at a much lower cost of ownership and operation.
3. It has been stated repeatedly that it is not intended to replace a car. Therefore, the cost of using a car to do tasks slated for the Segway is NOT the cost of a car, since you would be owning a car ANYWAY. The cost would be the gas you expend on the trip and some incremental cost per mile due to wear and tear (I've seen $.37 a mile as a common reimbursement for using your own vehicle for job related activities).

All of these factors contribute to an idea that is an interesting engineering feat, and a very impractical, expensive means of transportation and a marketing bust.

P-X

 

[MechanicalMan]

If I decide that I want to become as morbidly obese as the rest of this country or look like a total jackass while I?m commuting, I?ll get a scooter. And if any of you do want your feet replaced by wheels, what's wrong with roller skates? You can even sleep in skates, if the thought of waking up with wheel-feet excites you. So what's the problem with that? Oh yeah, you would actually have to move. I forgot; the whole point of the HT is that we no longer need to move our legs. Too bad we still have to move our arms for stuff. *sigh*

Seriously, what makes this yuppie-mobile such an amazing mode of transportation? Feet replaced by wheels?.what a bunch of crap. Buying a Segway isn?t going to turn you into Optimus Prime or something. I?d way rather have a pair of skates with little rockets on the back?or a jetpack?or a hover board. That?s the kind of stuff people should be working on!

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: MechanicalMan
I?d way rather have a pair of skates with little rockets on the back?or a jetpack?or a hover board. That?s the kind of stuff people should be working on!

Do you mean like this?

 

[l0g0ut]

i paid $5000 for it... and i STILL have to stand on it!!!! this is outrageous

 

[doinmybestatlast]

What I respect about this country we live in is the market sees to it that any product find a niche or perish. Very rarely does a product succeed after massive losses and only X-box today can survive losses that would have fired any other CEO. Segway is no different. Thrive or perish. The history of innovation is replete with a trashbin of unique, innovative products that couldn't meet the market head-on. The price of $4,500 is a marketing decision. The cost of this vehicle is probably several hundred dollars, and most of that is due to royalties on patents. Manufacturing is something mankind has mastered and costs have been squeezed out by innovative Japanese, Americans, Germans and lately Chinese. The final production cost is not very significant, whereas marketing costs can be substantial. This is part of the 'ramping up curve' and the theory of maximizing profits kick in. High initial price later followed by a price curve lower if it can survive. Competition will eventually lower the cost of any successful product. This product in a competitive environment will be priced under $500.
At $300 it will be become a hot deal!

 

[MiataPaul]

Originally posted by: Aiyana
Uhhh, I haven't read anybody bashing Kamen or questioning his motives for his cool little toy that answers a qustion that nobody asked.

It is a cool little piece of technology. Your guy in Seattle could have saved another $3500 by buying a commuter bike and riding to work. I can tell that would be a viable solution, since the bike is faster, can cover the same ground as the Segway (more, actually), is no worse in the rain then the Segway and isn't limited to 10 miles between charges, and also doesn't pollute. This guy in Seattle made up am excuse to get a toy. It wasn't the most practical solution by a long shot.

You say it isn't a replacement for walking? In the Salon article they said "Kamen positively gushes at the idea of rendering walking obsolete. "

The idea of replacing the car for a trip to the store also is faulty, unless what you buy will fit in your backpack or some sort of basket you attach to the thing, in which case you could have just rode your inexpensive bicycle.

If you don't want to ride a bicycle, the only alternative is not the Segway. My parents happen to like driving their SUV, which I think is way more practical for their needs then is a Seway, seeing as the nearest store is 5 miles away wo they would have to recharge while they were there! They are also able to bring things home from the store and go to the store in the rain. When they want to walk (which is everyday), they walk. When they have an errand to do, they take the SUV. The ELECTRIC SUV (Toyota RAV4). Makes more sense to me, so toss me, my hiking boots, my bicycle and my electric SUV up onto the dung heap of humanity.

Rant countered!

How does electric make it non-polluting? It takes either fossil fuel (most common), nuclear to produce the electricity so there is a very measurable about of pollution, just not at the site of use. Even solar and wind require a large amount of toxic chemicals to produce the equipment so that is still not non-polluting. Electric transportation are now there to make the "rich" feel like they are doing something about the environment.

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: Penalty
I'm glad everyone who has posted is healthy. If I could afford it, the Segway would be perfect for my wife. Because of a health condition, she has to be very careful as to how far, long and fast she walks. But, since that doesn't qualify for a handicap parking sticker ( and she refuses to even ask for one), she walks about 3/4 mile each way to/from the "day" student parking lot to class. Just like Kamen's wheelchair, the intent of this device is for people like my wife who can't make that walk and cars/motorcycles/scooters/bikes aren't appropriate. Although most of the buyers treat it like a toy, it has a real purpose for others. And, the more people who want it as a toy the greater the chance the price will drop to one we can afford as production ramps up.

Not to nitpick (oh, what the hell. Yes, to nitpick!) this thing weighs in at 83 pounds. Are you saying that your wife (or somebody else) with a health condition is going to be tossing this thing in and out of the trunk of her car?

I was reading a story just this morning about all the trouble we have had with the M16 through the years and how the rest of the world prefers the robustness of the AK-47. This quote in particular seems to apply here: "Gene Stoner, who invented the M16, is a maverick genius. But Mikhail Kalashnikov, who invented the AK47, was a master sergeant in the Soviet army. Master sergeants tend to be practical people."

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: MiataPaul
How does electric make it non-polluting? It takes either fossil fuel (most common), nuclear to produce the electricity so there is a very measurable about of pollution, just not at the site of use. Even solar and wind require a large amount of toxic chemicals to produce the equipment so that is still not non-polluting. Electric transportation are now there to make the "rich" feel like they are doing something about the environment.

In socal most electricity is generated by nuke or natural gas, so it is fairly clean. It should be mostly nuke, then it would be extremely clean. Also, by consolidating the pollution control system at single point, as a practical matter you can spend more money for better pollution controls. Pollution from all the gridlocked cars idling on our freeways would be eliminated, which would be a huge improvement.

Batteries are getting better, but are really not quite good enough yet. There is a big issue with chemicals to create batteries and disposal. For my parents the cost in electricity to run the thing equates to about 20 cents per gallon of gas, with free chargers available in lots of public locations. I don't see why driving costs roughly 1/5 of current gasoline powered cars makes electrics only for the rich.

 

[ALBundyHere]

Let us also not forget that although the human mind is so brilliant and can create things like this, there are also criminals that can steal them. I dont think the Segway can be locked up. Someone could just pick it up and leave.

HEHEHE!

 

[Thump553]

I saw my first Segway in action yesterday. These things are actually pretty big-they need as much space as two people standing side by side. I saw it on an essentially empty sidewalk. I don't know how they could possibly coexisit with pedestrians on a sidewalk that was the least bit crowded.

Unless use is restricted to those who have a medical reason, I just can't see these being allowed by most municipalities on crowded sidewalks.

 

[azoomee]

Just wish this was Free after Rebate

 

[Marauder-]

Rorschach: Yeah, I'm all about getting the latest gear too. I'll definitely get one when something like this becomes mass adopted as a form of transportation and when it gets cost-effective.

 

[Marauder-]

Originally posted by: Aiyana

Originally posted by: MiataPaul
How does electric make it non-polluting? It takes either fossil fuel (most common), nuclear to produce the electricity so there is a very measurable about of pollution, just not at the site of use. Even solar and wind require a large amount of toxic chemicals to produce the equipment so that is still not non-polluting. Electric transportation are now there to make the "rich" feel like they are doing something about the environment.

In socal most electricity is generated by nuke or natural gas, so it is fairly clean. It should be mostly nuke, then it would be extremely clean. Also, by consolidating the pollution control system at single point, as a practical matter you can spend more money for better pollution controls. Pollution from all the gridlocked cars idling on our freeways would be eliminated, which would be a huge improvement.

Batteries are getting better, but are really not quite good enough yet. There is a big issue with chemicals to create batteries and disposal. For my parents the cost in electricity to run the thing equates to about 20 cents per gallon of gas, with free chargers available in lots of public locations. I don't see why driving costs roughly 1/5 of current gasoline powered cars makes electrics only for the rich.

I'll agree w/ your pollution assessment but eliminating freeway gridlock is completely unrealistic. If people lived 5 miles away from work, they would not be using the freeways in the first place.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: ALBundyHere
Let us also not forget that although the human mind is so brilliant and can create things like this, there are also criminals that can steal them. I dont think the Segway can be locked up. Someone could just pick it up and leave.

HEHEHE!

Heh, but they'd only get 5 miles!

 

[MonkeyK]

Originally posted by: cranch
The boss here at work bought one....had a chance to ride it. Pretty damn nifty! I wouldn't buy one, but then again I don't have $5000

Folks are missing the business opportunity provided by this. Everyone wants to know more about these things, try them out, but noone can affort them.

The real opportunity here is to open up a Segway rental shop!

 

[Rorschach]

Originally posted by: PrinceXizor
1. The engineering is fantastic, no doubts there.
2. So the useful operating range (currently) is 5 miles or so depending upon charge.

Why o' why is this a better option than a traditional bicycle?

The initial investment is much cheaper. The cost of operation is extremely low. The drawbacks of a bike (one person, bad weather, weight limit, limited storage) are the same as the segway.

The problem with the Segway is all a function of the market it is targeting:

1. It is too costly.
2. A common bicycle already fulfills all of its functions (save for requiring no physical exertion) at a much lower cost of ownership and operation.
3. It has been stated repeatedly that it is not intended to replace a car. Therefore, the cost of using a car to do tasks slated for the Segway is NOT the cost of a car, since you would be owning a car ANYWAY. The cost would be the gas you expend on the trip and some incremental cost per mile due to wear and tear (I've seen $.37 a mile as a common reimbursement for using your own vehicle for job related activities).

All of these factors contribute to an idea that is an interesting engineering feat, and a very impractical, expensive means of transportation and a marketing bust.

P-X

So we all agree that Americans are all overweight. Isn't part of the reason why the fact that they refuse to travel farther than the mailbox without getting in a car? There's your market for the segway - short trips that would normally be done in a car. A lot of people own bikes. IMHO not many of them use them more than 5-10 times a year. Why don't they use them? They have a car, and a car is less hassle than a bike. A Segway is less hassle than a bike. No wrinkled clothes, grease on the pants, sweat soaking through your shirt...

I know very few people that live within a few miles of work and DO NOT drive. Everyone seems to believe that people refrain from using their car once in a while. My experience has definitely been the opposite.

1 & 3 have already been covered. As a note though I want to clarify my earlier post about the cost of my car. My intention there was really just to show how expensive cars are to own, not to imply that I would be replacing my car with a Segway. Once the price comes down a bit the potential cost-effective market for the Segway will be huge.

 

[UF Jspec]

And to think I'ver been walking all this time. what a sucker!