The Segway - Burning Rubber @ 10 kmph

Steeroid · 6th June 2005, 18:15

Guys

We had a demo from the distributors of the Segway personal transportation machines (or whatever they call them) at the Internet City yesterday, and I took a turn in one of those.

I have never imagined that it would be possible to have so much fun on wheels at these speeds. Its a whole new world of fun altogether, and its a very practical though expensive alternative to walking.....so now you dont even have to walk!

I was allowed to have a very brief ride on one of them (the GT) just to prove to me that it isnt easy to fall off one of these machines. Took a couple of fast-ish turns and I was asked to bring the machine back...but it was serious fun while it lasted.

I've taken a video of the demo (they were also filming the use of these in real life - people going around the DIC from building to building, etc etc). It looks cool, feels cool (no accelerators, cables, pedals or levers) and is pretty hot!

They will begin to sell these in Dxb at approximately $5,000 per piece (starting). They even have an 'off-road' version called the XT...

Can someone tell me how to put this video on the site (or how to host it somewhere and place a link in here?)

normally_crazy · 6th June 2005, 18:31

Go to www.rapidshare.de

upload your file and provide us the link ! simple !

hope this helps

cheers

Steeroid · 6th June 2005, 19:29

Here you go. Its 3.something megs and I'm not sure if its worth all the trouble as it wasnt taken by a camera but a camera phone:

http://rapidshare.de/files/2212245/VIDEO_00001.mp4.html

PS: The rapidshare site is full of adware, and hence it took quite a while to upload through my firewall and other such anti-spyware and malware detection engines... there is no such thing as a free lunch

RX135 · 6th June 2005, 21:18

That is rather cool! What is target audience for this err...moving thing? Since you have used it, do you think it will be useful in India? Especially since we don't plain roads or walk-ways or footpaths at most of the places.

Steeroid · 7th June 2005, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

That is rather cool! What is target audience for this err...moving thing? Since you have used it, do you think it will be useful in India? Especially since we don't plain roads or walk-ways or footpaths at most of the places.

I would imagine that the 'XT' model should be able to take care of that since it did drive through some loose-ish sand/gravel.

This moving thing is officially called the HT or the 'Human Transporter' and the target audience at this point of time would be primarily geeks (which is why the demo was held at the Internet City) and of course Americans ("what me walk?"). I cant think of a compelling reason why one should buy this "thing" but I'm sure they will come up with one. Else they will shut shop, which would be a pity because its such a wonderful invention.

Abhay · 8th June 2005, 15:01

This must be the same contraption that I have seen on TV in F1 paddocks! Michael Schumacher was riding this one....(like the foot scooterette we might have ridden as kids) Although an alternative to walking is really an over use of technology dont you think so ?
(unless for disabled people etc..)

I am unable to download the file as I am using a proxy server.

Rehaan · 16th June 2005, 16:11

Hey Steeroid,

You are lucky you got a chance to "ride" the segway....i have been trying to get my hands on one just to play around for a bit since forever, but no luck. Once i saw a guy riding around and i was just about to approach him and ask if i could test-ride but then i saw a handicap sticker so i didnt want to leave him stranded while i rode around...lol.

When the segway was first launched the inventor - Dean Kamen was expecting it to revolutionize pedestrian travel. However one problem he encountered was some legal issues about the useage of segways on sidewalks in some US states.
The second thing that was overlooked was the fact that segways cost a lot of money, but legs come for free.

Abhay, as you mentioned possible uses for disabled people, Dean Kamen used the same gyroscopic stability program on what i feel is a much better use and came up with this brilliant wheelchair called the IBOT. Its capable for going up on 2 wheels and balancing, as well as climbing stairs etc etc.

Check it out here > http://www.independencenow.com/ibot/motion.html

cya
R

GTO · 16th June 2005, 16:33

I remember www.amazon.com aggressively marketing the Segway. Had a chance to ride...um, travel on it and it was awesome! For the first couple of minutes, I was just dead sure that I am going to fall off leaning in that angle. But once I got the hang of it, it was splendid!

It is very expensive for what it is. However, there are some plants that have adopted these as the only means of transportation within. Of course, at a hugely discounted price.

GTO

GTO · 16th June 2005, 16:38

Segway Website

GTO

Steeroid · 16th June 2005, 21:47

Hmmm... looks like they're yet to make it Dubya-proof yet.

Actually the chap who was demonstrating it said the only way you can fall off it is if the contraption is 'OFF' or if you're really dumb. That picture you posted tells quite a tale....

Neel · 17th March 2006, 11:00

I must say it is a whole new experience trying to ride one. It does take a few minutes before you can get the hang of it, but the machine is awesome. I really wish we could get them india.

I was lucky to ride a HT with two modes allowing it to get a max of 10 and 15 miles per hour. The battries are supposed to last upto 3 hours (with the 10mph setting)

For those of you who are palnning to visit SFO, you can get your hands on one. They charge $60 for a 3 hour ride around the golden gate bridge....

It seems in San Jose, there are a handful of CEO's (including Steve JObs) who play polo with these machines..That's something i really want to try!!

islero · 17th March 2006, 14:35

Awesome!!!!!

You know what, they should keep these things for rent in huge museums or wildlife parks or zoos.
Some of the older and weaker peoplecan rent one, hop on, and drive around.
Mind you, ONLY for the old people. Young people should walk!!!!

Murugan · 24th June 2008, 22:36

Has anybody in the forum used the 'Segway', a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen. It was claimed to be the "the world's first self-balancing human transporter."

Segway

Segway PT - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

FlyingSpur · 24th June 2008, 22:37

It's been around for quite a while now, yes. Haven't used one though.

Murugan · 24th June 2008, 22:54

Saw it in a couple of movies recently.
1. "Iron Man"
2. "Dasavatharam" - Kamal Hassan's latest movie.

6th June 2005, 18:15	#1
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,025 Thanked: 2,757 Times	The Segway - Burning Rubber @ 10 kmph Guys We had a demo from the distributors of the Segway personal transportation machines (or whatever they call them) at the Internet City yesterday, and I took a turn in one of those. I have never imagined that it would be possible to have so much fun on wheels at these speeds. Its a whole new world of fun altogether, and its a very practical though expensive alternative to walking.....so now you dont even have to walk! I was allowed to have a very brief ride on one of them (the GT) just to prove to me that it isnt easy to fall off one of these machines. Took a couple of fast-ish turns and I was asked to bring the machine back...but it was serious fun while it lasted. I've taken a video of the demo (they were also filming the use of these in real life - people going around the DIC from building to building, etc etc). It looks cool, feels cool (no accelerators, cables, pedals or levers) and is pretty hot! They will begin to sell these in Dxb at approximately $5,000 per piece (starting). They even have an 'off-road' version called the XT... Can someone tell me how to put this video on the site (or how to host it somewhere and place a link in here?)
	() Thanks

6th June 2005, 18:31	#2
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,305 Thanked: 544 Times View My Garage	Go to www.rapidshare.de upload your file and provide us the link ! simple ! hope this helps cheers
	() Thanks

6th June 2005, 19:29	#3
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,025 Thanked: 2,757 Times	Here you go. Its 3.something megs and I'm not sure if its worth all the trouble as it wasnt taken by a camera but a camera phone: http://rapidshare.de/files/2212245/VIDEO_00001.mp4.html PS: The rapidshare site is full of adware, and hence it took quite a while to upload through my firewall and other such anti-spyware and malware detection engines... there is no such thing as a free lunch
	() Thanks

6th June 2005, 21:18	#4
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 77 Times	That is rather cool! What is target audience for this err...moving thing? Since you have used it, do you think it will be useful in India? Especially since we don't plain roads or walk-ways or footpaths at most of the places.
	() Thanks

8th June 2005, 15:01	#6
Abhay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 727 Thanked: 12 Times	This must be the same contraption that I have seen on TV in F1 paddocks! Michael Schumacher was riding this one....(like the foot scooterette we might have ridden as kids) Although an alternative to walking is really an over use of technology dont you think so ? (unless for disabled people etc..) I am unable to download the file as I am using a proxy server.
	() Thanks

16th June 2005, 16:11	#7
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,198 Thanked: 36,139 Times	Hey Steeroid, You are lucky you got a chance to "ride" the segway....i have been trying to get my hands on one just to play around for a bit since forever, but no luck. Once i saw a guy riding around and i was just about to approach him and ask if i could test-ride but then i saw a handicap sticker so i didnt want to leave him stranded while i rode around...lol. When the segway was first launched the inventor - Dean Kamen was expecting it to revolutionize pedestrian travel. However one problem he encountered was some legal issues about the useage of segways on sidewalks in some US states. The second thing that was overlooked was the fact that segways cost a lot of money, but legs come for free. Abhay, as you mentioned possible uses for disabled people, Dean Kamen used the same gyroscopic stability program on what i feel is a much better use and came up with this brilliant wheelchair called the IBOT. Its capable for going up on 2 wheels and balancing, as well as climbing stairs etc etc. Check it out here > http://www.independencenow.com/ibot/motion.html cya R
	() Thanks

16th June 2005, 16:33	#8
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,818 Thanked: 322,672 Times View My Garage	I remember www.amazon.com aggressively marketing the Segway. Had a chance to ride...um, travel on it and it was awesome! For the first couple of minutes, I was just dead sure that I am going to fall off leaning in that angle. But once I got the hang of it, it was splendid! It is very expensive for what it is. However, there are some plants that have adopted these as the only means of transportation within. Of course, at a hugely discounted price. GTO
	() Thanks

16th June 2005, 16:38	#9
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,818 Thanked: 322,672 Times View My Garage	Segway Website GTO
	() Thanks

16th June 2005, 21:47	#10
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,025 Thanked: 2,757 Times	Hmmm... looks like they're yet to make it Dubya-proof yet. Actually the chap who was demonstrating it said the only way you can fall off it is if the contraption is 'OFF' or if you're really dumb. That picture you posted tells quite a tale....
	() Thanks

17th March 2006, 11:00	#11
Neel BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 177 Thanked: 35 Times	I must say it is a whole new experience trying to ride one. It does take a few minutes before you can get the hang of it, but the machine is awesome. I really wish we could get them india. I was lucky to ride a HT with two modes allowing it to get a max of 10 and 15 miles per hour. The battries are supposed to last upto 3 hours (with the 10mph setting) For those of you who are palnning to visit SFO, you can get your hands on one. They charge $60 for a 3 hour ride around the golden gate bridge.... It seems in San Jose, there are a handful of CEO's (including Steve JObs) who play polo with these machines..That's something i really want to try!! Last edited by Neel : 17th March 2006 at 11:04.
	() Thanks

17th March 2006, 14:35	#12
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Awesome!!!!! You know what, they should keep these things for rent in huge museums or wildlife parks or zoos. Some of the older and weaker peoplecan rent one, hop on, and drive around. Mind you, ONLY for the old people. Young people should walk!!!!
	() Thanks

24th June 2008, 22:36	#13
Murugan BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 382 Thanked: 261 Times	Segway - two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle! Has anybody in the forum used the 'Segway', a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen. It was claimed to be the "the world's first self-balancing human transporter." Segway Segway PT - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

24th June 2008, 22:37	#14
FlyingSpur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,935 Thanked: 1,449 Times View My Garage	It's been around for quite a while now, yes. Haven't used one though.
	() Thanks

24th June 2008, 22:54	#15
Murugan BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 382 Thanked: 261 Times	Segway in movies Saw it in a couple of movies recently. 1. "Iron Man" 2. "Dasavatharam" - Kamal Hassan's latest movie.
	() Thanks