Exclusively at Amazon.com! Segway Human Transporter

[Marauder-]

Oh yeah - and you guys are discounting the fact that you still need to pay for electricity to charge up that thing every 10 miles.

 

[HarryK]

Originally posted by: Lurker501
Here's what I feel is a better option to the options listed above.

Stop OPEC and support our farmers!!!

And if you get stuck in a traffic jam you can always drink some of your fuel! :beer:

While alcohol is more fun to drink than cooking oil, I think biodiesel is a better idea. But you're right, there's no reason for the US to be under the OPEC thumb. Well, no reason except for the greed of those who profit off of that arrangement.

http://www.veggievan.com/

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Aiyana

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: Aiyana

Originally posted by: CheapTOFU
This is like a bike.. but faster and automatic..
Very cool if you got the money to buy..
I wanna ride it...

Text

In what way is a Segway 12.5 mph faster then a bike? Oh, you probably mean that it is faster standing still on a Segway then it is standing still on top of a bike?
Actually I already own a miracle personal transportation device that blows away the Segway. It's range is 200miles (segway is 10), it is rated for more than 250 pounds (Segway max is 250, I'm 255), it will go across even more types of terrain than the Segway, and it's top speed is over 100MPH (instead of 12.5MPH for the Segway. All that and it cost just about the same.
My miracle transportation device? Say it with me: m-o-t-o-r-c-y-c-l-e!

My friends who are doctors tell me that they have a special name for motorcycle riders. They call them "Organ Donors."

Not to insult you, but motorcycles are not for everyone. I saw Russell Crowe learn how to ride one on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1 minute. I think it'd a lot longer to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

Must I assume you don't drive a car or ride a bicycle, and that you squeeze most of your food out of an easy-opening plastic bag? Those can-openers can be a bear to learn how to work, let alone learning how to cook. Did you decide to stop after learning how to say "super size that, please"?

Most of the motorcycle organ donors come from cars running over them. I am sure that Segways are immune to cars, right?

Well, I see that you've resorted to personal attacks because I guess you must not have much to say in rebuttal.

You would assume incorrectly that I don't drive or ride a bike. I did not say that I have anything against motorcycles. I simply said that they are not for everyone. I know my mother would never even consider riding one, and if she did, I'd be worried about her safety and the safety of everyone around her. I would be a lot less worried if she decided to try a Segway. Can you honestly say that everyone you know should be driving a motorcycle?

I did not make up that joke about "organ donors." This is what I've heard doctors say. Believe me or not, I don't care.

I don't think you're going to find too many Segways driving down busy highways. There's a reason the speed is limited to 12 mph. Do I need to spell it out for you?

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Marauder-
Oh yeah - and you guys are discounting the fact that you still need to pay for electricity to charge up that thing every 10 miles.

Uh, no. I said it costs "pennies a day" to operate. What did you think that money was being spent on?

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: Aiyana

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: Aiyana

Originally posted by: CheapTOFU
This is like a bike.. but faster and automatic..
Very cool if you got the money to buy..
I wanna ride it...

Text

In what way is a Segway 12.5 mph faster then a bike? Oh, you probably mean that it is faster standing still on a Segway then it is standing still on top of a bike?
Actually I already own a miracle personal transportation device that blows away the Segway. It's range is 200miles (segway is 10), it is rated for more than 250 pounds (Segway max is 250, I'm 255), it will go across even more types of terrain than the Segway, and it's top speed is over 100MPH (instead of 12.5MPH for the Segway. All that and it cost just about the same.
My miracle transportation device? Say it with me: m-o-t-o-r-c-y-c-l-e!

My friends who are doctors tell me that they have a special name for motorcycle riders. They call them "Organ Donors."

Not to insult you, but motorcycles are not for everyone. I saw Russell Crowe learn how to ride one on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1 minute. I think it'd a lot longer to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

Must I assume you don't drive a car or ride a bicycle, and that you squeeze most of your food out of an easy-opening plastic bag? Those can-openers can be a bear to learn how to work, let alone learning how to cook. Did you decide to stop after learning how to say "super size that, please"?

Most of the motorcycle organ donors come from cars running over them. I am sure that Segways are immune to cars, right?

Well, I see that you've resorted to personal attacks because I guess you must not have much to say in rebuttal.

You would assume incorrectly that I don't drive or ride a bike. I did not say that I have anything against motorcycles. I simply said that they are not for everyone. I know my mother would never even consider riding one, and if she did, I'd be worried about her safety and the safety of everyone around her. I would be a lot less worried if she decided to try a Segway. Can you honestly say that everyone you know should be driving a motorcycle?

I did not make up that joke about "organ donors." This is what I've heard doctors say. Believe me or not, I don't care.

I don't think you're going to find too many Segways driving down busy highways. There's a reason the speed is limited to 12 mph. Do I need to spell it out for you?

I guess you do have to spell it out for me.

Segways are not even out in any numbers, and they are already being legislated off of sidewalks. Where do you suppose they are going to allow them other than the streets with cars? In bike lanes to interfere with the bake traffic? In traffic lanes where cars are wizzing by them?

If you look at other cultures, then yes bicycles, motorcycles or motorscooters are for most people, and the people who physically cannot ride any of those options probably are not good candidates for a Segway. They would probably need something with a seat. Once you decide that, you have already adopted a profile that is conducive to a stable four-wheel platform that doesn't require a $3000 gyroscopic levelling system. If Kamen really wanted to help, he would invest his money and talent into refining production and design of carts and wheelchairs so that the people who actually need this kind of device can afford to purchase one that does the job.

Finally, the numbers for motorcycle injuries are greatly exagerated. If you factor out accidents caused by unlicensed, drunk or just plain idiotic riders, the injury rate is actually reasonably small. They are also very easy to learn how to ride (especially if you can ride a bicycle). Surprisingly you stay upright because of the dual-gyroscopes in front and behind you and you turn them by subtly leaning your body. Sounds suspiciously like a better version of the Segway already exists!

I wasn't trying to attack you personally. you just lobbed a softball that I couldn't resist!

 

[sumrtym]

Originally posted by: Aiyana<br If Kamen really wanted to help, he would invest his money and talent into refining production and design of carts and wheelchairs so that the people who actually need this kind of device can afford to purchase one that does the job.

I wasn't trying to attack you personally. you just lobbed a softball that I couldn't resist!

And same goes to you. I'm SO glad you are so informed that you couldn't bother to watch the video I linked to originally or read the article about how the technology used in the Segway came first from Dean's development of a wheelchair allowing people to "stand", climb stairs, and access places like beaches once again. So I'm glad you think he needs to spend time doing that....since he did first.

Through stupidity they've been banned, not on the merits of the tech. If you're honestly arguing that a motercycle or bike is safer than his invention, I think you've been riding without a helmet a bit too much yourself. Besides, that's completely missing the point. There are DOZENS of small trips everyone takes every day 5 miles, or commonly, less from their door that don't require a car. You're complaining about not having a seat while everyone talking about "lazy" smacks a little bit of inconsistency. NO ONE WALKS THREE MILES TO THE STORE TO PICK UP MEDICINE, OR THE POST OFFICE, OR ANY OF A DOZEN OTHER PLACES that don't require a car to haul things back. Even this is capable of easily handling 2 bags of groceries with optional basket attachments.

Throw a few more softballs, won't you? But try and read the rules before you start calling people out.

 

[cyfan2001]

All I know is I went to Epcot's Futureworld and as I walk in the front door, this guy rides up on a Segway. (Look at me...I'm on this futuristic machine.) It says nothing about Segway, but it does say what a piece of crap Epcot is to have something you can buy off Amazon in their Futureworld...

Other suggested new Futureworld exhibits: 1) The watch calculator! 2) Robotic pets! 3) Electronic pianos that play themselves! 4) Hydrogen powered vehicles! and finally....5) Walt Disney brought back to life out of his cryogenic state to tell everyone to spend more money!!!

 

[Pardus]

Originally posted by:tk149

In your post, if you substitute "horse and buggy" for "car," and ignore the Woody Allen comment, you get the same kind of comments people used to say about the "bicycle." People have been belittling the new gadget in town since the invention of the wheel.

BTW, for those who think they'd buy another car before even considering the Segway: Don't you dare complain when gas hits $2.00/gallon this summer. The Segway costs pennies per day to operate.

Gas wont hit $2/gallon, its been dropping steadily for the past few months. Besides, you cant ride the segway too far, in bad weather or transport more than 1 person. I drive 40 miles each way every day, cant see myself doing that in a segway.

Like i said before, this thing is a rich-boy toy and has no practical use in everyday life, it also makes you lazy, walking is good for you. If you got $5000 to spend on this nonsense, go for it.

 

[jasonja]

Originally posted by: Scyber

Originally posted by: jasonja

Umm.. that's because your can only go about 30 miles in a day on a Segway. If I only drove 30 miles in a day in my car it would only cost pennies a day too.

Ummm...according to your own estimates:

Of course my commute to work would then take 5 hours a day round trip instead of 30 mins. Therefore limiting my time with my family to nothing everyday, but hey! anything to save the environment!! Instead of dumping $5k into a device to save me on gas, I'll will instead buy 2,500 gallons of gas at $2 a gallon. At 30mpg that will get me 75,000 mile (roughly 6-7 years of driving for me).

Going 30 miles will cost you $2.

Yes.. that's "pennies" a day. Lets not forget that time is money. Going 30 miles on a Segway takes about 2.5 hours... going 30 miles in my car takes <30 mins. So if my time is worth $40 an hour, the Segway just cost me $80 in time.

 

[Marauder-]

I think Kamen is hiding in these forums . . .

Anyways - I'd just like to add that no one is making attacks on Kamen or the merits of his new device. I think there are a few niche markets that could use this. BUT the general consensus seems to be that it's 1) too expensive 2) not cost effective enough to justify #1 3) too slow 4) distance is also impractical.

 

[sumrtym]

Marauder:

And I can say that most of your last statement is taken from looking at the device for uses other than what it is intended. How many places do you visit 5 or less miles from you regularly? I can name about 15 myself that are either too long to walk, or a car is not required for bringing anything back (Segway could do it).

Again, no one walks 3 miles to go to the post office, pick up fast food, head to the drugstore, go to the barber, hit the corner market, etc. It has a place (a large one when you think about it), and only talking about using it as a total car replacement is silly, for going 200 feet, or heading to the bar with 4 friends, which seems to be the gist of the major arguments people keep making over and over. As far as work goes, if you lived 4 miles from work, why wouldn't you use it on good weather days which most places outways the bad? You're not going to walk 4 miles, so don't kid us, and riding a bike is impracticle unless you like grease stains from the chain on your suit pants.

That's the major disconnect people have between the designed use which is limited but huge at the same time.

 

[Marauder-]

sumrtym:

True - I definitely agree w/ your suggested uses of this unit but my argument was more on price/cost effectiveness. I mean, do you agree at a $5000 price point, that it seems reasonable? I mean, someone already worked out the mileage that one could potentially use w/ $5000 ( something like 5-6 years of gas at current prices ). And also, w/ the limited distance, if you were running all those errands and passed the 5 mile mark, who's to say that it won't stop running on your way back home. Then you'd have to carry all those groceries/fast food/ etc along w/ this thing.

I'd say that if you do not want to use a car for short distance trips, you should consider purchasing a go-ped/mo-ped for ~$250-$500 and enjoy the 100 mpg effectiveness/savings.

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: sumrtym

Originally posted by: Aiyana<br If Kamen really wanted to help, he would invest his money and talent into refining production and design of carts and wheelchairs so that the people who actually need this kind of device can afford to purchase one that does the job.

I wasn't trying to attack you personally. you just lobbed a softball that I couldn't resist!

And same goes to you. I'm SO glad you are so informed that you couldn't bother to watch the video I linked to originally or read the article about how the technology used in the Segway came first from Dean's development of a wheelchair allowing people to "stand", climb stairs, and access places like beaches once again. So I'm glad you think he needs to spend time doing that....since he did first.

Through stupidity they've been banned, not on the merits of the tech. If you're honestly arguing that a motercycle or bike is safer than his invention, I think you've been riding without a helmet a bit too much yourself. Besides, that's completely missing the point. There are DOZENS of small trips everyone takes every day 5 miles, or commonly, less from their door that don't require a car. You're complaining about not having a seat while everyone talking about "lazy" smacks a little bit of inconsistency. NO ONE WALKS THREE MILES TO THE STORE TO PICK UP MEDICINE, OR THE POST OFFICE, OR ANY OF A DOZEN OTHER PLACES that don't require a car to haul things back. Even this is capable of easily handling 2 bags of groceries with optional basket attachments.

Throw a few more softballs, won't you? But try and read the rules before you start calling people out.

Thanks for the kind words!

Just to clarify: First, I am well aware of his iBOT, which is precisely why I said he should spend time on refining development and production. I guess that point was too subtle for you in my original post. The last numbers I saw for the iBOT put it somewhere between 15K-30K. Fancy technology, but about as practical to the average person in need as is Asimo. Second, there is no inconsistancy in saying that most people that are incapable of riding a bicycle, scooter or motorcycle are better candidates for a sit-down device, and that people who CAN take one of the other alternatives will get to their destinations much more quickly with far greater range. I have yet to see video of an old woman with a cane or walker hop on a Segway and stand controlling it for half an hour while she travels 5 miles to the store, and then half an hour again on the way home. Maybe you or someone else can come up with an appropriate use for this device. So far I haven't heard it.


Also, in response to your earlier smartass comment referencing the Salon article quoting Kamen, why don't you listen to Kamen's own words in his video advertising the Segway in which says: "Imagine getting up in the morning and finding out that your feet where replaced by wheels. I don't think of this as an alternative for cars or planes or trains, this device really is an improvement on walking." Sounds like his goal really IS to make lzy ass americans even lazier!

Have we travelled far enough off topic yet?

 

[Marauder-]

Heh - feet replaced by wheels....

American Obesity Index rising....

 

[MisfitsFiend]

i saw a guy on one at the lake (Chicago) a couple of weeks ago with this big ass grin...he looked pretty stupid!
-mf

 

[MisfitsFiend]

i saw a guy on one at the lake (Chicago) a couple of weeks ago with this big ass grin...he looked pretty stupid!
-mf

 

[trippy1976]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Hasn't this been on their website for like 6 months now?

Sure has been.

 

[dp80]

I've seen a few geniuses on these in the city. What makes it better is that these are banker type guys, you know the morons who had all those razor scooters back during the tech boom, wearing suits and such and on these things like they are so cool. These morons were pulling over a million a year and getting around on a damn scooter, now these Segway transporter things. I see no purpose in these things, especially in the city when it is hard enough to walk around on foot, some moron comes up right behind me on one of these, it even had a radio on it. Maybe if it was a kid or something, but this was a business guy in a suit, he seriously almost knocked a few people over. Feel bad for him and his middle age crisis he had to go buy one of these, but he had more people laughing at him. These things go pretty fast, but are hard to maneuver and are not made for NYC sidewalks.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: Phil938
I'll be cold and deal hopefully before I end up on one of these contraptions--at least the $5000 pricetag is keeping me away.

...That is what people said about the automobile...

 

[Aiyana]

Originally posted by: Jugernot

Originally posted by: Phil938
I'll be cold and deal hopefully before I end up on one of these contraptions--at least the $5000 pricetag is keeping me away.

...That is what people said about the automobile...

And lots of those people were right!

1885 - Benz invented the gasoline-powered automobile

1924 - Just 39 short years later, one in seven Americans owns a car.

A lot of those naysayers were cold and dead!

 

[Rorschach]

Thanks for posting sumrtym, I've felt exactly the same way as you since the segway debuted. Your post expressed perfectly what I feel.

The segway is without question a phenomenal piece of engineering and it pains me to see so many people dismiss it with arguments that they haven't taken the time to really think about. I've ALWAYS been one to hold my tongue until I could make a decent case for my opinion so it throws me for a loop when so few others do. I hear people talk about the Segway and it's amazing how much crap they'll spout without knowing anything about it.

All I ask is that before you criticize it, know the actual facts about it.

I ride my bike a lot, to stores, to work at times. I know VERY few other people that do. People like to pretend that they walk, that they ride a bike, but in reality what they do is hop in the car for that 1 mile trip down to Blockbuster. I often do too. The segway difference is that it requires no physical exertion, which is the thing that keeps most people from biking. It's smaller than a bike, and easier to maneuver. Motorcycles are noisy, less maneuverable, much heavier.

I'm late to this discussion but I'd love to find out what legitimate reasons people have for dissing the segway. Most of the ones mentioned so far don't really hold much water when looked at in any serious way.

 

[Rorschach]

Anyways - I'd just like to add that no one is making attacks on Kamen or the merits of his new device. I think there are a few niche markets that could use this. BUT the general consensus seems to be that it's 1) too expensive 2) not cost effective enough to justify #1 3) too slow 4) distance is also impractical.

1) It just came out. Kamen's got the funds to see this through until he can bring the price down through higher production runs, increased efficiency from his suppliers, etc. Nobody's saying that $5000 is a blockbuster price for it, leave it to the rich folks for now.

2) see #1. Also here's what I've paid for my car since I bought it in 1998

Cost of car = $17,776
Gas = $3,828
Insurance = $5,745
Tickets/Registration related costs = $2,021 (mainly from the p.o.s. Virginia car tax, and registration)
Service (repairs, oil change, etc) = $2,607

Total cost to have a car for 4.5 years = priceless (actually about $32,000)

and that's for a luxurious Hyundai Tiburon. Amazing what you learn when you're anal about what you spend on things. Thanks Quicken.

I'm not saying a segway would replace my car. But it would certainly help, especially when the price drops by a few thousand.

3) 12.5 mph - I think you'd find that's plenty fast enough for any trip within range of the segway. It's not meant to replace the car for longer trips.

4) Impractical for what? Take a map of your home, draw a circle around it with a 5-mile radius, and be amazed at how much is in that circle. I'm sure it doesn't work for some of you but it DOES work for a lot of you.

 

[doinmybestatlast]

This is a fascinating thread! I'm so glad that AT Forums has such delightful people willing to vent and pontificate their views. I can clearly see two camps here: first, the Holier than Thou group; and second, the Mean and Petty group. As I was growing up I really could not see that there were two groups since I was so close to them. I just thought my friends had independent views. Now as I am older and raised children to adulthood I have had the pleasure of analyzing my children's friends. The HT group were generally more intelligent, less successful and apt to condescend the less gifted in intelligence. Their mission is to educate, while promoting themselves, the goodness of civilized behavior and hence, saying the right things. The MP group was less intelligent, perhaps stupid, but nonetheless filled with an abnormal amount of cunning. Anything that doesn't benefit them directly is placed in the trashbasket of hate and loathing. I always like to remind the latter as children they were awful ef'ng stupid. Whereas the former I tell them as children they were m'str'b'tors since they always stroked their egos in public and hence their private lives was an open book.

Segway forever!

 

[mutombo]

Originally posted by: doinmybestatlast
This is a fascinating thread! I'm so glad that AT Forums has such delightful people willing to vent and pontificate their views. I can clearly see two camps here: first, the Holier than Thou group; and second, the Mean and Petty group. As I was growing up I really could not see that there were two groups since I was so close to them. I just thought my friends had independent views. Now as I am older and raised children to adulthood I have had the pleasure of analyzing my children's friends. The HT group were generally more intelligent, less successful and apt to condescend the less gifted in intelligence. Their mission is to educate, while promoting themselves, the goodness of civilized behavior and hence, saying the right things. The MP group was less intelligent, perhaps stupid, but nonetheless filled with an abnormal amount of cunning. Anything that doesn't benefit them directly is placed in the trashbasket of hate and loathing. I always like to remind the latter as children they were awful ef'ng stupid. Whereas the former I tell them as children they were m'str'b'tors since they always stroked their egos in public and hence their private lives was an open book.

Segway forever!

You sell yourself short. Plenty of HthanT people are MandP! I have always thought categorizing people and their arguments in order to dismiss them is intellectually lazy (to put it kindly).

Lots of amazing technology has failed for a variety of reasons, deserved and otherwise. I really haven't seen anyone bash the technology of the Segway here (which is way cool). I have heard people joke about it's current applicability and poke fun at some diehards who praise Kamen and his toy with a religious fervor. You know the type, "Segway forever" or "Amen", it's pretty much the same.

Hey look, I categorized you to make you seem stupid. I take it all back. This is fun (and so worthwhile)!

 

[Marauder-]

Originally posted by: Rorschach

Anyways - I'd just like to add that no one is making attacks on Kamen or the merits of his new device. I think there are a few niche markets that could use this. BUT the general consensus seems to be that it's 1) too expensive 2) not cost effective enough to justify #1 3) too slow 4) distance is also impractical.

1) It just came out. Kamen's got the funds to see this through until he can bring the price down through higher production runs, increased efficiency from his suppliers, etc. Nobody's saying that $5000 is a blockbuster price for it, leave it to the rich folks for now.

2) see #1. Also here's what I've paid for my car since I bought it in 1998

Cost of car = $17,776
Gas = $3,828
Insurance = $5,745
Tickets/Registration related costs = $2,021 (mainly from the p.o.s. Virginia car tax, and registration)
Service (repairs, oil change, etc) = $2,607

Total cost to have a car for 4.5 years = priceless (actually about $32,000)

and that's for a luxurious Hyundai Tiburon. Amazing what you learn when you're anal about what you spend on things. Thanks Quicken.

I'm not saying a segway would replace my car. But it would certainly help, especially when the price drops by a few thousand.

3) 12.5 mph - I think you'd find that's plenty fast enough for any trip within range of the segway. It's not meant to replace the car for longer trips.

4) Impractical for what? Take a map of your home, draw a circle around it with a 5-mile radius, and be amazed at how much is in that circle. I'm sure it doesn't work for some of you but it DOES work for a lot of you.

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.