eyeronic

Saw someone on a segway today for the first time. It was awesome in a way. He was just gliding along. Then he got impatient and crossed the street and when he tried to go up the ramp, his wheel caught and he started spinning, and then fell off, then the segway went backwards and almost out into the street. He missed getting hit by a Taxi by inches. I was laughing my ass off.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwDeAmwWPjxmE1uorxvUh8IDudmZaAlQ3H80cTvvt9d8fGrzIggjfKWsVRkSzqicSFIH4YUXyMfu!3SSmiwZBYcu2lkHs5ijDDlVujRXR*Q/segway.jpg?dc=4675419611718683480[/img]

Segways are not meant for New York City. Keep them in the burbs! What do you think? Have you seen people on them? Ever seen someone bite it?

__________________
I hold with those that favor fire.

Phaenx

All the joy of walking without all the getting in shape baggage. If I see someone on one coming down the sidewalk they better not expect me to move. Well, I'll move, but it will only to get something to lance them with as they go by.

__________________
"I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

eyeronic

I think I would become immensly annoyed with these things if they proliferate. Partially, I'm just jealous though. They're awesome.

__________________
I hold with those that favor fire.

Sun Tzu

I followed the link but still dont understand their market strength. What are they for? Transportation obviously, but to replace bikes, scooters, what? DOes anyone know if BIll Gates had anything to do with funding the design of these things?

I thought that pic Halx had in photochopping in the previous TFP was a joke.

__________________
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking

SecretMethod70

Gates had NOTHING to do with segways. They're meant to replace WALKING of all things (crazy ain't it?)

The technology involved is pretty cool, but I really hope we don't get to the point in civilization where we don't WALK.

__________________
Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

World's King

I would have smacked the fucker upside the head with a lead pipe.


That's just me though.

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

riskybiz

Quite a few of them up here in New Hampshire where Dean Kamen invented and builds them. The Manchester PD tried out a couple of 'em for a few months - found they could sneak up on folks pretty easily. The Post Office in Concord, NH used 'em for a test period as well. I could see a real value for people such as letter carriers or meter readers. Pretty pricy for the public as they run about $5,000. for the civilian version on e-bay.

They aren't selling very well though and certainly not to the manufacturer's expectations. I don't know what the future holds for them. Lots of anticipated large orders from utility companies, police departments and amusement parks (Disney has a few but only for their employees at the moment) failed to materialize.

Very cool devices. I watched someone trying one out for the first time in my company's parking lot last week. It didn't appear as simple and easy as the Segway folks have led us to believe. I'm sure once a person gets some time on their machine it becomes second nature but there is definately a learning curve.

I personally hope Segway make it and I hope that their prices come down.

__________________
"I'd like to meet the person who invented sex and see what they're working on now."
-Groucho Marx

louiedog

I saw some security guards or police, not sure which, at the ATL airport. Seems like a great thing for police and security but for commuting I don't get it. If everyone had one we'd have to triple or quadruple sidewalk space.

Daval

I thought they were supposed to be super affordable, like in the $1000 range? Wasnt that what they were saying when the hype began?

__________________
"It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it."
Winston Churchill

troit

Pretty cool concept but can imagine them being a pain in the ass in crwded situations. I suppose if your going to drop that much cash why not just buy a moped?

How fast do they go?

__________________
I've yet to dephile myself...

GreenCloud

why the fuck can't people walk?!? or ride a bike, or something? and if you're going far enough that those aren't realistic options, then a segway would be fucking ridiculous too. and i'm just guessing here, but it doesn't look very fast at all, and i'm sure you have to stay on very flat, even terrain, too... it'd have to be a bitch to get upstairs or even just up a steep hill... what the hell is the point of this thing?

__________________
"Boy, I like that echo... goes right through my head... I had that happen once, but it was chemically induced...." - Steve Earle

Nad Adam

I was in Stockholm a while back and asked for directions to a street. I got the directions but was adviced to go by the subway since it was a 10 minute walk. I just looked at this woman and started walking. Getting there by the subway would take me between 10-15 minutes including waiting for a train and set me back 2€.

People are to fucking lazy, they should put taxes on overweight people and fat/sugary foods.

__________________
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. - Psalms 137:9

Nad Adam

... I like the technolgy behind the Segway though.

__________________
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. - Psalms 137:9

Serpent

I saw one in the champ car paddock at st pete, looked pretty cool. I can see their usage on people who have to walk all day for their jobs though.

rsl12

i don't think it's meant to replace walking, so much as it's meant to replace those 2-minute car trips to the supermarket. the idea is that you would choose to own one of these over a car, i believe, not both of them together. if you live in a dense urban setting, i could see where it could be useful.

as for making sidewalks 3 times as wide to accomodate everyone on a segway, i bet that's what the manufacturers were hoping would happen--that highway room might be reduced to make room for sidewalks. from an environmental point, that would probably be a good thing.

__________________
oh baby oh baby, i like gravy.

phoenix1002

I can see how they would be helpful in some situations, but for everday use? Did anyone else watch the "segway in action" videos? Those are pretty funny... They've got people riding them around inside houses. Is the purpose of these things to minimize any semblence of exercise that a person might otherwise get?

I'm also curious to know how they stay upright. Is it just a matter of balancing?

edit: never mind, I found the part on the site that describes how it works. I agree, the technology is cool, but I still don't see it as necessary. I bet it could be applied to other stuff, though, where it would be really useful.

In my opinion, just get a bike or rollerblades or something. Either one will get you where you're going faster than walking would, and both are easier to deal with once you actually do arrive.

One of the biggest problems I see with it is the range between charges. 15 miles under optimal conditions, probably 10 under normal conditions, and about 5 miles under rugged conditions. Five miles is not really that far. Pedaling at a reasonable speed, you can go 5 miles on a bike in half an hour pretty easily. Also, you can take a bike places that you would not be able to take the segway-like the side of a road.

__________________
I'd rather be climbing...

I approach college much like a recovering alcoholic--one day at a time...

vermin

Seems awfully expensive (5 grand initially and the electric bill increase to charge it) just to replace WALKING. This guy actually thinks cities will be designed around it? That it's the equivalent to the invention of the car? If it were around $400 - $600 with hope of the price coming down, maybe I could see it.

Although you'd think the technology could be adapted to replace wheelchairs with a rack/seat thing so the handicapped dude could stand. Oops! Another million-dollar idea set loose for free.

__________________
If puns were sausages, this would be the wurst.

kgb

Hah, that is a funny story. I actually saw someone on a Segway here in Minneapolis a few months back. He was crusing around downtown on it. If I was going to spend 5Gs on something to get me around when it was nice out, I would get a Vespa or something.

Minus000

The segway is a useless but impressive peice of technology. The segway auto balnces so you do not need a flat terrain at all, thats the advantage. They can ride over rocky paths and up hill fine as iv seen video.

Supradog

Anyone know if these wonders of modern invention will ever make if over the pond to Europe? or are they already here? Just seeing/trying one once would be abit of fun.

__________________
There is a spoon.

scarebearjinx

something like that i see as the person just being lazy. i don't like walking alot or standing, but i would rather do that then spend alot of money on one of those things. they are pretty neat, but i've never seen anyone on them. they are just a way to make society lazier than it is.

Lebell

I can see a large factory or other complex using these things for people who had to quickly get all over the place all day, but damn.

Walking is good for you.

__________________
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU!

Please Donate!

clockworkgreen

Here in Northern Virginia, I saw a guy on a Segway at Tyson's II a few weeks ago. He was even letting other people ride it. I'm not sure if he was a salesman or just a nice guy...

ratbastid

You know, they're useless, detrimental to society, and potentially dangerous. Even so, I <i>want one</i>!

It's sort of like an SUV. I know they're evil. That doesn't change my lust.

Nhanced1

Actually, this Kamen guy is testing a prototype wheelchair with 2 segway type units that flip to go up stairs, and stand upright. Its really rather neat.

I think that this Segway thing is pretty neat and it is a technological acheivement. It does have its market though, and while I wouldn't expect someone in New York to use it, I can see how someone who would need handsfree mobility and good range, like mail carriers, could use this.

Oh yeah, it could be cheaper than a Motorcycle I guess. Maybe not so much gas, because mileage on those are pretty good, but maybe in the long run it would be cheaper. And it doesnt pollute, so the environmental activists might be attracted to it. It's pretty zippy too, faster than running at medium speed.

But then again, I'm a giant gadget freak, and I want one of every tech toy out there.. You seen that Palm PDA thats built into a fossil watch?

__________________
"Sell Crazy Somewhere Else, We're All Stocked Up Here," Jack Nicholson - As Good As It Gets

guthmund

__________________
No signature. None. Seriously.

Grondar

Just walk people... Really.

Other forms recreational movement (skating, skateboarding, biking) have other uses/benefits aside from transportation.

Maybe you rollerblade to get around, but you also might do it for fun and even get in shape by doing so. Yet with a Segway I don't see the point.

You are just clogging up the already narrow sidewalks. If these things multiply it will be a major pain in the ass in any city that has more than 3 people on any sidewalk at any given time.

__________________
"Yes, I rather like this God fellow. He's very theatrical, you know, a pestilence here, a plague there. Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that." -Stewie

Cynthetiq

HAHAHAHAHA just like people looking ALL over the living room for the remote instead of just walking up to the TV and changing the fucking channel...

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Cuball

it looks stupid, and very unhandy imo

__________________
Let's GO

liquid_dreams

they are cool and all but come on have you seen the price tag on them?

fuelmyfire

This thread is fucking hilarious

eyeronic

Here's alink to an interesting diagram.

__________________
I hold with those that favor fire.

MSD

I spend plenty on transportation just walking. Between the only shoes that fit and are comfortable costing $130, and the $500 shoe inserts to compensate for flat feet (someone at my insurance company needs a slappin') I'm walking on $630 each day.

eyeronic

Saw another one yesterday. The guy seemed to have a lot more control than the other one I saw. God, I hope these things don't take over New York.

__________________
I hold with those that favor fire.

ironman

it´s a cool machine, but no a very practic one. I really can´t see the future one that, at least for ordinary people.

__________________
If I agreed with you we´d both be wrong

eyeronic

Actually, having seen them in action, they seem great for folks on crutches or postal workers, etc...

__________________
I hold with those that favor fire.

BBtB

I really wouldn't defeine people on crutches or postal workers as "ordinary people" which sounds like some sort of insult. Its not ment to be. I am mearly stating that people on crutches and postal workers make up less then 5% of the population (much less.. I am basing that number on absolutely nothing)I still think they are nifty. But about as usefull as a Razor (by which I mean these little toys that were popular for ALMOST an entire summer back in like... 2000 or whenever)

__________________
Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ...

"I would like about three fiddy"

cj2112

I want one! Why? I have no idea, it looks like fun! Of course i'd want to trick it out, lift it, put some big ass mud tires on it and add a stereo, but that's just me....lol

fastom

I saw one in action at a Seattle car show in March...older gent riding the thing, it was silent and moving maybe 20mph, turned and stopped without any obvious effort.

I think it'd have a market amongst short guys... makes 'em about six inches taller

Daval

i'd love to try one out can't see myself every buying one though.

__________________
"It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it."
Winston Churchill