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Fine, what I meant to say then is: "IN MY OPINION, this is pointless and doesn't add any useful features to a scooter," and so on.
Well, that is still too harsh. :) It would be fine, though, to say "FOR ME this device is pointless and doesn't add to a scooter any features useful TO ME". As it is, you still try to combat the facts, namely that Segway is useful to some people, because they bought it, they use it, they save money with it and they are happy with it. QED. Point proven.

In my experience, and especially my experience with motorized vehicles, that making things any more complex than they need to be is a bad thing in the long term.

Well, if you can make a self-balancing human transporter, smaller, cheaper and simplier than Segway, why don't you tell Kamen about your ideas? Surely he will appreciate your constructive criticism.

The Segway is indeed the only consumer vehicle I've ever seen that combines all the liabilities of two wheels with none of their benefits
Well, if you don't see any benefits, you are either completely uninformed, or completely stupid. In the former case, please check at least Segway.Com and Book of Seg. In the latter case, please don't bother to reply and don't waste my time with your groundless assertions.

WTF???

I will repeat my argument, but with the main word now highlighted for your reading comfort:
"but product X can do almost everything product Y can and it also has many other advantages, so don't buy Y."
Do you see the point? All people have unique needs and for some people the benefits of Segway outweight the drawbacks. These people buy them. If you want to continue to ignore the fact that Segway has REAL benefits (some of them mentioned in my previous post), you just will make yourself look stupid.

For more proof see this site, it is all the proof you will ever need.

well, since it doesn't seem like an "off the shelf" segway will work with what they're doing. i'm going to make my own, most like with the combination of 2 rc devices one to turn the handle the other one to shift weight forward and back on the platform, making in autonomous will be tough, but that will be a fun puzzle once i can rc control it.

i'll post it up on the segway journal in the articles section, when i start.

cheers,
pt

this week i reach 1,000 miles on the segway ht. i really like mine.

the segway ht fits my travel needs pretty well, i don't think it's for everyone-- but it's worked out okay for me. i run, walk, ride a bike, take cars but most of my travel is via a segway...i wrote it up, here's the travel log so far:
http://www.bookofseg.com/100days/

it didn't replace walking, i walk, cycle and jog. the segway replaced my car. i don't think it can do that for everyone, but it did for me.

steve jobs said "i think [the design] sucks. its shape is not innovative, it's not elegant and it doesnâ(TM)t feel anthropomorphic". it's very functional and the desgin (in my opinion) is good for version 1 of a product, i'm looking forward to the new models which are smaller, lighter with greater range.

cheers,
pt

this looks pretty interesting, i'm not sure i'm sold on hydrogen quite yet. i just got away from "filling" up by using electricity for my transportation needs.

hydrogen requires quite a bit of energy to create, it's volatile, the only companies that really have the infrastructure to pull this off are the folks we get gas from now.

i currently use electricity to charge my "scooter" i get the power from solar panels or any plug anywhere (at work, on the go, etc..) anytime. i can charge up anytime and the power from a power plant is far cleaner than hydrogen production at this time.

i think hydrogen and electric is far better than petroleum, but hydrogen forces me to "fill up" electricity does not and it's everywhere and can be made with solar, wind, hydro, etc...

it seems like hydrogen gets us to a more profitable proposition for companies, it's like printer cartridges and razors blades for shavers, we need to keep buying. with electricity, it's different-- we can plug in anywhere, but the gas companies do not make money off that. i think that's the other reason the auto-industry is moving away from electric cars and more towards hydrogen and hybrid, granted...batteries aren't perfect either, if the systems are not planned properly you won't be able to recycle the batteries.

read more about my ride here at my site.

cheers,
pt

the sparrow was pretty cool, that's a shame. from what i understand one of the partners wanted lots of $$ so they tanked after his demands could not be met.

there was a past story here on slashdot about electric cars in washington state (you can now use them) so electric cars are finally getting a chance in some areas. here's the gem car, this looks a little too "golf-carty" for me, but when other models come out i might consider one.

http://www.gemcar.com/

on a side note, fuel cells are interesting, but you're still tied to infrastructure that requires you to "fuel" up somewhere. with electric vehicles you plug in. sure, this isn't good for people who move, store and sell gas or hydrogen, but it's better for consumers (that's opinion so far). i'm kinda concerned about fuel cell laptops and other fuel cell powered devices, right now i just plug in, i'd rather not be tied to getting cartridges like a printer, or razors for razor blades-- although, companies who make laptops would certainly love to sell more things to me than just a laptop. right now, i buy one and the sales cycle is pretty much over. we'll see i'm sure others here have other thoughts (and opposite ones at that). currently, i use a segway ht to get around, it costs less than a few dollars worth of electricity per month and i'm pretty pleased with it so far. this week i reached 850 miles. hopefully, this weekend i'm installing my solar array, so i'll be totally off the grid.

cheers,
pt

from here

"since giving up a car, we're saving about $600 per month (car payment, insurance, parking, gas and more)."

so it seems that it is saving him money as he does not need to spend money on car payments and other things related to it, makes sense to me and he has posted another section on his site talking about how it made him more active here

from here

"since giving up a car, we're saving about $600 per month (car payment, insurance, parking, gas and more)."

so it seems that it is saving him money as he does not need to spend money on car payments and other things related to it, makes sense to me and he has posted another section on his site talking about how it made him more active here

i cycle, i'm a member of my state's bicycle alliance--but i use my segway more now. i need to be dressed up and my work place does not have a shower, so for me riding a bike is for fun- not commuting. the segway ht didn't replace walking either, it replaced my car. sitting in a car for me is lazy and expensive, i've saved over $600 per month since i went to using my segway ht for most of my trips. i exercise more now than i ever did, mostly because i have more time and i'm not sitting in traffic. if you're interested you can read about it here.http://www.bookofseg.com/100days/

find something better that works -for me- and i'll gladly try it. don't just say everyone should use a bicycle.

cheers,
pt

i have a bike, but i use my segway more now. i need to be dressed up and my work place does not have a shower, so for me riding a bike is for fun- not commuting. the segway ht didn't replace walking either, it replaced my car. sitting in a car for me is lazy and expensive, i've saved over $600 per month since i went to using my segway ht for most of my trips. i exercise more now than i ever did, mostly because i have more time and i'm not sitting in traffic. if you're interested you can read about it here.http://www.bookofseg.com/100days/

find something better that works -for me- and i'll gladly try it. don't just say everyone should use a bicycle.

cheers,
pt

i put together a guide on securing a segway ht, it's just like securing a bike (which i also have and need to secure). lots of common sense for the most part, also you can get a cheap insurance policy (under $150) for the ht against theft.

http://www.bookofseg.com/secure.html

cheers,
pt

A good atricle on the security of the Segway is located here.

renting is a good idea, the ht for many people is a big investment, trying one out first is often worth it. the challenge with the segway ht is most people can't imagine what's like to use a self-balancing device like the ht and if it would make sense for their travel needs. i have a segway ht, and at first, the my commute took a little longer that i calculated mostly because people would stop and ask me questions, most would ask to try it out and many would be so impressed with the technology and ease of use, they would purchase one, i didn't expect that either, in my city (seattle) there are quite a few people with segway hts, also the city uses them as opposed to cars for many tasks.

i'm up to 800 miles on mine, click here to read the trip log.

the city of seattle let me interview them, so good info (some of it pretty technical, but very detailed) can be found here.

cheers,
pt

renting is a good idea, the ht for many people is a big investment, trying one out first is often worth it. the challenge with the segway ht is most people can't imagine what's like to use a self-balancing device like the ht and if it would make sense for their travel needs. i have a segway ht, and at first, the my commute took a little longer that i calculated mostly because people would stop and ask me questions, most would ask to try it out and many would be so impressed with the technology and ease of use, they would purchase one, i didn't expect that either, in my city (seattle) there are quite a few people with segway hts, also the city uses them as opposed to cars for many tasks.

i'm up to 800 miles on mine, click here to read the trip log.

the city of seattle let me interview them, so good info (some of it pretty technical, but very detailed) can be found here.

cheers,
pt

i've gone over 800 miles on a segway ht and was able to give up a car and save quite a bit of $ per month. the city of seattle (where i live) has a fleet of segway hts, and after a year long study they're going to double the fleet. the hardest part is the cultural issues, having a car is what everyone does. there will be many posts here that poke fun of my transportation choices, but i also use a bicycle, public transit and car pools, so it's all about choices and having them...something we should all encourage.

first 800 miles

info on city of seattle

and interview i did with the city of seattle

cheers,
pt

i've gone over 800 miles on a segway ht and was able to give up a car and save quite a bit of $ per month. the city of seattle (where i live) has a fleet of segway hts, and after a year long study they're going to double the fleet. the hardest part is the cultural issues, having a car is what everyone does. there will be many posts here that poke fun of my transportation choices, but i also use a bicycle, public transit and car pools, so it's all about choices and having them...something we should all encourage.

first 800 miles

info on city of seattle

and interview i did with the city of seattle

cheers,
pt

i've gone over 800 miles on a segway ht and was able to give up a car and save quite a bit of $ per month. the city of seattle (where i live) has a fleet of segway hts, and after a year long study they're going to double the fleet. the hardest part is the cultural issues, having a car is what everyone does. there will be many posts here that poke fun of my transportation choices, but i also use a bicycle, public transit and car pools, so it's all about choices and having them...something we should all encourage.

first 800 miles

info on city of seattle

and interview i did with the city of seattle

cheers,
pt

well, as of yesterday i've been using the segway ht for 100 days and over 500 miles. slashdot wouldn't ever dream of releasing that story of course :-]

i wrote about here:
http://www.bookofseg.com/100days/

the bike article says that there aren't places to charge a ebike, there are more outlets than gas stations. and for me, for my commute- i take my ht to work and charge it while i'm at work (it's not needed, but i do charge it since it's just sitting there). i don't see why the goal is to trash electric bikes or things like the segway ht. the article didn't even mention the segway, but slashdot felt the need to. ebikes don't need to be trashed to make his gas bike look better, he could have just talked about the bike, it's cool. i'll actually try his solution out if / when it comes out, looks kinda neat.

cheers,
pt

i find this somewhat ironic to read this. i use a segway ht to get around to work and home. i was able to give up a car-- not only am i saving money (about $600 per month) but it doesn't use gas. no, i don't work for / with segway in any way at all. yes, i know the power comes from somewhere...

i wrote all this up here that explains it all (read it all before you start flaming, it has 99% of the answers you'll want):
http://www.bookofseg.com/90days/

the future is here, but you'll see from the replys that will quickly follow my post here...many people fear it or would rather ridicule someone who's trying new things than help move forward.

so go for it, flame on, it fuels the future for some us :-]

cheers,
pt

and yes--i'm the same fellow who uses a roomba robot vaccuum, has a tiny vaio that says don't panic :-] a high speed wireless pocket pc phone edition and wear a casio camera watch. when the jetpacks come out, i'll try one of those too.

um, i live in seattle, i take the segway over the steepest hills we have (over 25% grade in some areas) and in the rain, it's fine. you can read about it in a million places here, http://www.bookofseg.com

cheers,
pt

hiya,

i lock mine up all the time all over my area. i wrote about it here: http://www.bookofseg.com/secure.html

it can be locked witha bike lock (i use one). if it were stolen, it would not work. a 64 bit encoded key is needed, segway will not send out a key unless you prove who you are. it would be useless to steal one, and if mine were stolen (so far 80 days owning one, used for 300+ miles) there's insurance for stuff like theft, just like anythibg else. feel free to email me if you need any more info, or if anyone is in my area, let me know. i'm not worried about anyone stealing the ht more than i'm worried about my car getting stolen.

cheers,pt

you can read all about my weight (5, 11" - 167lbs) my bmi is 23, which is more than healthy-- all over at my site. the pics on the segway site were taken when pre-owning a segay (at training) since then we've both lost tons of lbs, we've been using the extra time we have each day to exercise, also i used to sit in a car for an hour per day, now i do not. you can read about this here http://www.bookofseg.com/weight

of course only anonymous posts would ever post something like this.

the ht weighs 80lbs, not 95.

even on my segway ht, i weigh less than most americans.

here's an article i wrote about my cargo and segway ht weight stuff.

http://www.bookofseg.com/weight

cheers,
pt

See this person's Segway journal. I'd buy one in a minute if the price was reasonable (at least under $1000).

A Segway would save on my commute time, save on insurance and maintenance costs, not pollute the air, and possibly help me lose weight.

See this person's Segway journal. I'd buy one in a minute if the price was reasonable (at least under $1000).

A Segway would save on my commute time, save on insurance and maintenance costs, not pollute the air, and possibly help me lose weight.

i use a segway human transporter (ht) to go over 7+ miles per day, i have given up a car, we're saving over $600 per month (payment, insurance, gas, parking) and i've even lost 10lbs with my extra time that i have each day to do more things like (exercise) as opposed to sitting in traffic. in washington state, cars are the largest source of air pollution.

you can read about it here on my personal journal of owning a segway ht:
http://www.bookofseg.com

recently, i hit 100 miles logged on my gps unit, it took about 14 days of commuting to hit that, i didn't count other trips or previous commute trips so i could keep careful logs. for the first 100 miles or so, i personally saved about $582.00+ by using a segway ht. some things weren't quantifiable, results may vary for others.

more info can be found here:
http://www.bookofseg.com/100miles

pictures from my daily commute:
http://www.bookofseg.com/commute

with the first month's saving from using the segway ht we gave it to charity, local groups.

feel free to email me any time.

cheers,
pt

i use a segway human transporter (ht) to go over 7+ miles per day, i have given up a car, we're saving over $600 per month (payment, insurance, gas, parking) and i've even lost 10lbs with my extra time that i have each day to do more things like (exercise) as opposed to sitting in traffic. in washington state, cars are the largest source of air pollution.

you can read about it here on my personal journal of owning a segway ht:
http://www.bookofseg.com

recently, i hit 100 miles logged on my gps unit, it took about 14 days of commuting to hit that, i didn't count other trips or previous commute trips so i could keep careful logs. for the first 100 miles or so, i personally saved about $582.00+ by using a segway ht. some things weren't quantifiable, results may vary for others.

more info can be found here:
http://www.bookofseg.com/100miles

pictures from my daily commute:
http://www.bookofseg.com/commute

with the first month's saving from using the segway ht we gave it to charity, local groups.

feel free to email me any time.

cheers,
pt

i use a segway human transporter (ht) to go over 7+ miles per day, i have given up a car, we're saving over $600 per month (payment, insurance, gas, parking) and i've even lost 10lbs with my extra time that i have each day to do more things like (exercise) as opposed to sitting in traffic. in washington state, cars are the largest source of air pollution.

you can read about it here on my personal journal of owning a segway ht:
http://www.bookofseg.com

recently, i hit 100 miles logged on my gps unit, it took about 14 days of commuting to hit that, i didn't count other trips or previous commute trips so i could keep careful logs. for the first 100 miles or so, i personally saved about $582.00+ by using a segway ht. some things weren't quantifiable, results may vary for others.

more info can be found here:
http://www.bookofseg.com/100miles

pictures from my daily commute:
http://www.bookofseg.com/commute

with the first month's saving from using the segway ht we gave it to charity, local groups.

feel free to email me any time.

cheers,
pt

I was curious why he doesn't use a bike myself and in fact he does give a reason, just not on that page. Try this page.

Thank you for that link. I really hate to do this to the guy, but:

This is some video of the thing actually working. He did an interview for his local news station. It's an 18.5 Meg .WMV, though... (and no, I can't get mplayer to play it :-( )

I'll probably get death threats from him for posting that direct link, but it's REALLY damn cool actually seeing the thing work and move and all that. Y'all really need to see that. I think I'm gonna bag that idea of a trip to the Keys and save up for one of these instead...

Tis a shame that the economy has hit a downturn, but there's an interesting site that a happy owner has up, about how he's losing weight and saving money with his: The book of Seg.

i have a segway ht and the fenders are pretty amazing (durable and glossy) i'd love to have my remaining car use the same tech (we gave up one car since getting the segway ht). if anyone has any questions, feel free to email me. http://www.bookofseg.com

i work for fallon, in the seattle office on phone, pda and mobile device software (that our biz unit). read the about page on my site. we do not work with segway, llc in any way nor do i. again, read my site. http://www.bookofseg.com/about.html

i do not work for segway, you need to read my site (again).
http://www.bookofseg.com/about.html

cheers,
pt

It is pretty intuitive.

Took about 5 minutes to get the basic functions down.

The course is more than just riding it, it is also about how to maintain it.

BookOfSeg.com is a good place to see one in action (including putting it together and also some photos from his training course @ Segway HQ)

i lock mine up all over town:
http://www.bookofseg.com/secure.html/

cheers,
pt

what part of my site can't you read?

http://www.bookofseg.com/about.html

cheers,
pt

i use a segway ht to go 7+ miles per day, i given up a car, saved over $10,000 and i've even lost 10lbs with my extra time that i have each day to do more things like (exercise) as opposed to sitting in traffic.

you can read about it here on my personal journal of owning a segway ht:
http://www.bookofseg.com

today i hit 100 miles, it took about 14 days of commuting to hit that, i didn't count other trips or previous commute trips so i could keep careful logs. for the first 100 miles or so, i personally saved about $582.00+ by using a segway ht, gave up a car and lost 10lbs. some things weren't quantifiable, results may vary for others.

http://www.bookofseg.com/100miles/

if you would like to chat about it, lemme know-- i'd love to!

cheers,
pt

i use a segway ht to go 7+ miles per day, i given up a car, saved over $10,000 and i've even lost 10lbs with my extra time that i have each day to do more things like (exercise) as opposed to sitting in traffic.

you can read about it here on my personal journal of owning a segway ht:
http://www.bookofseg.com

today i hit 100 miles, it took about 14 days of commuting to hit that, i didn't count other trips or previous commute trips so i could keep careful logs. for the first 100 miles or so, i personally saved about $582.00+ by using a segway ht, gave up a car and lost 10lbs. some things weren't quantifiable, results may vary for others.

http://www.bookofseg.com/100miles/

if you would like to chat about it, lemme know-- i'd love to!

cheers,
pt

I did read the site but didn't see where they got 2. Could you point it out? Everywhere I look (like on this page) I see a reference to a single Segway. Even the "why page" reads why did we get a segway?

I did read the site but didn't see where they got 2. Could you point it out? Everywhere I look (like on this page) I see a reference to a single Segway. Even the "why page" reads why did we get a segway?

or does the author look like Kaga from Iron Chef?

Judging from the pictures of Dean Kamen's house, I don't think he's all that worried about the sales of the Segway.

This guy doesn't need to sell anything

i wrote about that here: fat people and the segway cheers, pt.

stairs: the segway ht has a follow mode that basically crawls up stairs, check my site. it's a powered mode that you control. theft: again, check my site and read the security article securing the segway ht it's just like a bike for the most part, i've never had any issues.

a segway will save you time, if you choose to stuff your face with the extra time, you'll stay or become fat...if you choose to be healthy then you'll do that.

i wrote an article about this: fat doesn't = segway owners.

The pictorial tour of Dean Kamen's house says loads... This man is the uber-scooby-doo-strange-but-cool guy. He lives in this incredibly fanciful house that seems built for a hundred people, except it's his house. Powered by wind turbines, it has:
Steam engines
A very nice 2-helicopter garage (with it's own gas pump in the closet)
An incredibly well-laid-out electronics shop, far better than many commercial shops I've seen
A machine shop
A power plant (provides power from the turbines)
A resivoir
A barber shop (!)
A theater (a given)

You should really check this guy out, he's as creative in how he lives as how he invents.

http://www.bookofseg.com/dk/index.html

Am I the only one who noted the Stirling Engine Scooter Power Supply picture? That's pretty cool and fits in with a lot of the original "IT" rumors.

Finally got it.

Monsieur market-spiel turns out to have won a "contest" for early adopters.

Dave

I'm pretty sure it is. This page made me suspicious when the author claims getting rid of a car will save $16,000/year. $10,000/year for payments and insurance? What kind of car is he driving? I would say $300 or so per month is a typical car payment, and my insurance with collision and tons of liability is $600/year. Their estimate of $5,000/yr for fuel and maintenance? If this person really drives 100,000 miles per year, I'm not sure a segway will cut it.

The entire site is an ad for segway.