Segway Launches 2 New Scooters

I think the new models sound a lot more promising than the old ones, and I reckon many people share that opinion.

The segway is a great concept but the previous models just weren't convenient enough for common use; the new ones might be, and while still pricey, that may make them a lot more popular. Especially with the anti-theft stuff added to it, which will remove a lot of worries for potential buyers.

The new models sound alot more promising than what? Two over-engineered wheels that do what you normally have to walk to do? If I want two wheels to get me somewhere, I get on a bike, not something that goes slower than I do at a walk.

No offense to you Faruk, but the segway scooter is the worst concept to come along in a long time, and they are still over priced for something that carries you around at slower than walking speed. And for the record, anti-theft devices, like the RFID based ones they put in cars nowadays, have been hacked by car theives. You'd be better off with a high end u-lock. The only people who will tell you otherwise are those who work for insurance or car companies.

Where did you get the "slower than walking speed" bit? Who can walk 12 MPH? Average walking speed is around 4 MPH. Many runners train to achieve a 4 minute mile, which is 15 MPH.

John,

First, like "someone" already pointed out they're a good deal faster than walking speed; they approach casual biking speed, but are a hell of a lot more convenient for certain purposes (and locations where a bike is terribly inconvenient if not downright impossible).

Second, I agree that they're pricey but that's generally always the case with niche-area new technology. The fully hydrogen-powered car isn't exactly cheap either ($5M) but that doesn't make it a crap product.

Third, nowhere is it said that this InfoKey uses RFID, and more importantly, how easy is it for someone to hack a segway system that starts sounding a loud alarm the moment you tinker with or even touch it? I haven't heard of any hackers able to make remote controls that override all currently available methods of security, and "for the record", maybe you could point me to any evidence that the remote car lock security systems implemented in millions of cars today are so easily hacked? Not talking about RFID ones, I'm talking about the ones we've been using for years now.

Yes, everything can be hacked. That doesn't mean it's easy or quick, and if you're leaving your segway out for y'know, two minutes while you walk into a store, you can be fairly certain at least that no hacker will sit down next to it for a while to hack around the security system and take off with it.

Besides that, it would be a wise move on their account if they added a PIN-code lock to the segway's motor interface, so that the thing is safe even if the InfoKeys get duplicated by hackers.

Though the InfoKeys are not RFID, I worry that they won't do much good in laerting you about Segway theft. From the website, I gather that they're actually Bluetooth-based. Bluetooth 2.0+EDR has a maximum range of 100 feet, and reliable maximum range of 30 unobstructed feet.

This would pose a bit of a problem if, say, you're in a lecture on the fourth floor while your Segway is chained to a bike post outside.

Have you ever been on one? It takes a good 10-15 minutes to get the hang of it, but once you do it is amazing how natural it is. It really does feel like an extension of yourself.

Frankly, I've never been on one, and I'm sure that the current experience is already pretty fantastically intuitive. I actually planned on renting a Segway for a few hours over the summer with a friend. We'd each mount a Segway, hold a giant swimming-pool foam noodle, and Segway-joust. But, internships got in the way of that.

Oh well. When I have enough money to burn, I'll get one.

Have you ever been on one? It takes a good 10-15 minutes to get the hang of it, but once you do it is amazing how natural it is. It really does feel like an extension of yourself.

A guy at work purchased one and let me take it for a spin. It took maybe 3 minutes to completely master it, and your observation about it being an extension of one's self is pretty dead on.

Unfortunately I can't see it being a viable alternatiove to the bicycle because of its cost ($5k range), its range (8-10 miles), and its speed (12 MPH top speed). It certainly is a fun toy, though.

- J

Unfortunately I can't see it being a viable alternatiove to the bicycle because of its cost ($5k range), its range (8-10 miles), and its speed (12 MPH top speed). It certainly is a fun toy, though.

I see price and storage as bigger problems than range or speed. I could see using one to run to the library, post office, etc., but I would not want to leave a $5k segway in a bike rack. Chances are good that I would be walking home.

There are commercial applications that make sense, which seems to be their primary market.

The problem with Segways IMO has always been the fact that you look like a grade A dork while riding one. Not even Steve McQueen could ride one and still look cool. This on the other hand, looks pretty dang cool.

Ha! That thing makes it look like you're riding on a very strong dog or a small Flintstones-like dinosaur.

That, and it's basically a mini-quad, so I'll admit that it looks pretty cool.

Hehe, I definitely remember the pseudo-hush-hush surrounding "Ginger" and "It." I know I was disappointedwhen it came out. I just thought: "Wow. That's an amazing engineered... scooter."

In Soviet Russia, Segway ride YOU!

To add to the 'bloated american' image, tour groups have Americans overseas catapulting their bloated carcasses to tour destinations atop segways. How that must add to our cachet.

That is why Segway platforms are built to be able to withstand the weight of a GMC Suburban, not to be confused (for now), with a suburbanite.

unless the hovering segway is tehtered, you're opening a whole shebang of liability suits- HEY, she flew into my store window!
Yikes, I don't feel so good (Jerry Lewis voice)... with the barfing and the OY what was that?!

tehtered = tethered

I've seen one use: On the sitcom Freddie, they had a short skit with waiters on segways. They called them segwaiters. [sarcastic laugh here]

I want one to. If I had the money to just throw away, I would probably buy one just to treat my friends to rides.