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Poll: who thinks "Ginger" is stupid?

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The big thing, that I don't think is being addressed, is the transportation infrastructure isn't currently there to support this device. There is enough road rage out there that you don't want to put this contraption on the road. Also, I don't think it is appropriate to drive them on the sidewalk, that's for pedestrians.
I think you are looking at the whole skateboard contoversy, over again. About the only place you'll be able to drive it is in an 'IT Park', when someone builds one.
 
<< Most of you guys seem to think it's going to be the ONLY means of transportation in a city. It's not, but i can see certain areas where this would be far superior to a car. >>

Okay, so downtown centers will be shared between pedestrians, bicyclists, Segway-ers, and motor vehicles. Something's got to give. We already know bicyclists and motorists don't mix. I highly doubt that Segway-ers and pedestrians will mix. So, how does everything fit in? Do you just eliminate a lane of traffic for Segways?

Anyway you try to cut it, a lot of people will be hasseled. If you eliminate lanes of traffic motorists will complain (keep in mind that many people will still HAVE to use cars). If you let these machines run loose on the sidewalks, there are bound to be numerous collisions between pedestrians and Segways.

If downtowns eliminated vehicle traffic, the Segways wouldn't be a problem at all-- until it starts raining. Then you'll have a lot of people who won't want to go out in the rain.

I can see Segways being used inside convention halls. I can see them being used inside amusement parks. I can see them being used inside airports. But, when you try to cut into pedestrian space or motor vehicle space, you're going to have problems.
 
if prices were to ever drop on this thing, i'd jump all over one because i live less than a mile from school, but it takes me almost 15 minutes to get there because of traffic, and screw locking this thing up, i know kids who bring their bikes to class with them, and professors dont care, and i'm sure if you brought one of these they'd be amazed you even had one,
 
Okay, so downtown centers will be shared between pedestrians, bicyclists, Segway-ers, and motor vehicles. Something's got to give. We already know bicyclists and motorists don't mix. I highly doubt that Segway-ers and pedestrians will mix. So, how does everything fit in? Do you just eliminate a lane of traffic for Segways?


Are you guys not reading the articles? Segway is meant to be used on the sidewalk, alongside pedestrians. Yes, it goes 12mph, but that doesn't mean it ONLY travels at 12mph. i'll assume if the way is clear, then you can go a bit faster, and if it's congested, you'll be at crawling speed. And it won't be anymore crowded, have you seen this thing yet? How much bigger is the footprint on this device? Not much, it's not like a traditional scooter.

If downtowns eliminated vehicle traffic, the Segways wouldn't be a problem at all-- until it starts raining. Then you'll have a lot of people who won't want to go out in the rain.

When it rains now, how do pedestrians move around? Do they melt and die? Geez, you guys are making huge issues out of things that we already deal with.
 


<< Yes, it goes 12mph, but that doesn't mean it ONLY travels at 12mph. >>

Will you trust the dipsh!t who cut you off on the way to work today to drive his segway responsibly?
 
Don't get me wrong, I think the engineering implications of this device are a gold mine. As is, it's nothing more than a recreation vehicle and will probably be treated with the same disdain that these devices have been afforded in public places before.
 
How about the ladder that will never fall or package delivery that will never fall. Something to that extent can be useful.
 


<< I would buy one. 🙂 >>


I would too! It looks nice, plus it'll get alot of girls' attention riding through Central Park in NYC. All you need now is a horn for the slow joggers. 😀
 


<< Until one of those 'slow joggers' shows you just how well the balance really works. >>


smartt: LOL!

I want to see these on Hot Deals, then I bet there'll be no nay sayers. Heh.
 
Are you guys not reading the articles? Segway is meant to be used on the sidewalk, alongside pedestrians. Yes, it goes 12mph, but that doesn't mean it ONLY travels at 12mph. i'll assume if the way is clear, then you can go a bit faster, and if it's congested, you'll be at crawling speed. And it won't be anymore crowded, have you seen this thing yet? How much bigger is the footprint on this device? Not much, it's not like a traditional scooter.

Yes, I've heard the argument straight from Kamen's mouth on the news today that the Segway's footprint isn't any wider than an average person's shoulders, so passing people on the street shouldn't be a problem. Now, I say if you're walking down congested city streets, you often have to "rotate" your shoulders so as not to bump into the people around you. There's no way the Segway can do this. I just don't buy the argument that a Segway can be used on a sidewalk crowded with pedestrians.

And if it's really congested, all a Segway rider has to do is SNEEZE and the scooter will lurch forward and possibly into other pedestrians. 😉


When it rains now, how do pedestrians move around? Do they melt and die? Geez, you guys are making huge issues out of things that we already deal with.

When it rains now, pedestrians have several options to avoid getting wet:

1.) Wear a raincoat.
2.) Use an umbrella.
3.) Use a car.
4.) Stay home.

You can't do any of these feasibly on a Segway. So, in other words, unless the Segway becomes enclosed somehow, downtown centers can NEVER eliminate vehicle traffic. That's my point.

Don't get me wrong. I think the Segway is a great technological invention. We just have a LOT of questions to answer before it can become mainstream.
 


<< If you got a bunch of these parked somewhere, how do you know which one is yours? >>




You just take the first one you see, because yours was most likely stolen... 😀
 
First of all, I just want to say that the ability for a machine to balance itself is indeed a marvel.

Having said that, the flaming begins.

My understanding is that this machine will change cities for two reasons:
a. you will be able to ride it on the sidewalk and indoors probably
b. it can balance people.
From these two reasons, I see nothing that is different (in its ability to change cities) than those electric scooters. First of all, people are saying you can ride this thing anywhere. I think that statement is based on its safety - which in turn is based on the slow speed limit. I see the electric scooter being limited in the same way. Second, it balances for you. Virtually anyone can balance on an electric scooter too. The ONLY practical uses I envision these self balancing scooters as having is 1.) carrying disabled folks, 2.) ability to stay on it while not moving, useful when you're moving around to pick up packages etc. Considering the vast majority of people are NOT disabled, I see the balancing thing as mostly a convenience feature, not a critical, city-design-changing one.

Final point: I see no evidence why anyone would think this thing would revolutionize the world, or be more important than the internet. This is a glorified scooter, no matter how complex or wonderful the technology behind it is.
 


<<

<< If you got a bunch of these parked somewhere, how do you know which one is yours? >>

You just take the first one you see, because yours was most likely stolen... 😀 >>


That's why there probably Autolock, The Segway Club, Lojack for Ginger. hehe 😀
 
Good story (with highlights below):

What if ?IT? just isn?t all that?

It?s easy to imagine a cackling Jeff Bezos scootering around Amazon.com?s warehouse on IT. IT?s status as the coolest toy on the block is probably already guaranteed. But will it compete with the automobile for cherished consumer basic transportation spending? There are many obstacles between here and there.

[*]It?s 65-80 pounds. You aren?t going to carry it upstairs to your office, like a bike. Will you be comfortable leaving your $3,000 scooter on the bike rack?
[*]12 miles per hour might not seem that fast. But what if two IT riders collide? That?s at least 24 mph of force; broken bones are sure to follow.
[*]Knowing myself, and my sense of balance, despite Kamen?s claim to the contrary I am quite certain I could fall off of IT. Letting go of the handlebars would no doubt do the trick.
[*]It?s not a car, so it doesn?t need to be roadworthy, Kamen?s team argues. Good, because motorized scooter are already illegal in places like Seattle, and Baldwin, Mo. So IT will ride of the sidewalk. What sidewalk, I wonder? Kids with foot-powered scooters are already considered a nuisance by some.
Imagine a IT rider flying up behind you, squeezing by you, maybe even knocking groceries from your surprised hands.
[*]Meanwhile, IT riders will be forced to drive at, well, walking pace wherever there is a crowd. Why would you pay $3,000 for that?

Of course, one can imagine bike-path-style walks would accommodate IT quite nicely. Retrofitting old cities this way will be darn near impossible, but developing countries can architect cities that way. Sure. I don?t know many people in developing cities who will fork over $3,000 for a scooter, however.

[snip]

But competing in the world of Barbie and Ford and Crest and McDonald?s is another matter. Wild, unexpected things happen in mass markets. Far inferior $200 powered scooters could completely undercut his market. Even as the price comes plummeting down, $1,500 will likely be too much for a ?nice, but not a must-have? device.

[snip]

Then there?s the all-important mundane considerations.

Where?s the cupholders? Can you sip a latte while scooting along? If not, forget the Seattle market. Will you be able to hear the radio? In New York, people would rather drive and listen to Imus. And, um, I know Gortex is warm and dry, but I still wouldn?t want to be riding this thing to work in New England in February.

There?s quite a list of luminaries who?ve lined up to lavish praise on IT, and some of them, like Intel?s Andy Grove, can?t be quickly dismissed. No doubt, IT will have at least one more day in the sun, when you see a postal carrier zipping by on one. But will IT change the world, as Apple?s Steve Jobs suggests? Perhaps Jobs? experience on such matters is the most instructive ? technology he invented has changed the world, albeit much slower, and much cheaper, and with much less drama then he planned. Oh, and another company ended up making all the money.
 
<< lol, since when is force measured in mph??? >>

If a car hits you at 24 mph, you feel a force, right? Force isn't measured in mph, but the change in mph, or acceleration, times mass. So, you'd be accelerated from 0 mph to 24 mph, which would indeed be caused by a force.
 
Sure, the thing can handle going down stairs, but can it go up stairs? I would imagine not. Therefore, the American people still get exercise walking up stairs. Unless they use the handicap ramps or elevators.

I live in Michigan, we get hot in the summer and pretty cold in the winter. Maybe I will buy one when it is enclosed from the elements, has air conditioning, a space heater, and can travel faster and farther. Oh wait, then it will be a mini electric car that you have to stand up in.😀

I think the ability to balance itself is pretty cool, and could be useful in other areas, but a rival company could make a similar scooter product, but use four wheels, so there is no need to balance.
 
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