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Segway HT Starts Selling
Ninja Master Gara writes "The much-hyped "IT", Dean Kamen's Segway Human Transporter, started selling Monday with a no-refund deposit of $495 on the $4,950 people mover for deliveries starting March 2003 on first come first serve basis.
"The Segway Human Transporter is one of the most famous and anticipated product introductions of all time," Jeff Bezos, chief executive and founder of Amazon.com, said in heralding the availability of the vehicles on the online retailer's site." It's also the most overhyped and overpriced toy ever, and I'm kicking myself for posting it since that just contributes to the problem.
I live in London, England, joyously enough.
1) No room to drive any longer - cars are everywhere.
2) No room to stand on the tube (subway) - people are everywhere.
3) No room to stand on the mainline (overground) trains - people are everywhere.
4) Segway is still useless.
Looks like we'd better start bringing out the guns...
Let's see how much better it sells than the C5...
I was disappointed that it wasn't a unicycle. Imagine a seat on a wheel that moves and swivels to keep directly underneath you. Sort of like a magic one legged stool.
And I was also disappointed that it didn't go faster. If it can balance, why not make it go 50 miles an hour?
This is America, damnit. Speak Spanish!
How long will it be until we see urban kiddies with mis-matched kustom wheels and unpainted ground effects on these things? (oh yeah, and don't forget the obligatory NOS and MOMO stickers)
At least you won't hear any annoying exhaust systems that sound like a beehive in blender with these, due to the electric drivetrain.
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I had the opportunity to see a Segway in use at, of all places, the Toledo Zoo. Aside from looking really cool in action, this thing is supposed to of interest to companies as a productivity enhancing tool. The guy I saw moved along smartly with a package in a basket on the Segway. As I continued to watch, he pulled up at his destination, dismounted and then stood there watching the Segway to make sure it didn't roll/drive away on its own. I would have dismissed this, but he made such a deliberate effort to assure himself that it would stay put. He spent perhaps 15 seconds doing so. I have to conclude that his experience on the Segway taught him to be certain it stays put. If he has to do this every time he dismounts then there is more productivity to be gained. Maybe a little voice recognition system should be added to these things. "Segway, sit! Stay! Good Segway!"
-- Instant Karma's gonna get you! [320848 = 2*2*2*2*11*1823]
I just can't wait for 'Segway XXX' on the PS2, Gamecube and X-Box!
Blaming GW Bush for the Iraq war is like blaming Ronald McDonald for the poor quality of food.
I am very excited by the chance to purchase a new Segway Human Transporter. While I understand that the Segway is the most important invention in the history of mankind, I feel that it could use a few improvements:
-I don't feel like standing up while I travel. Segway needs a seat.
-I can't picture myself leaning around to control Segway, especially when sitting down. Add two more wheels and a better control system. Maybe a steering wheel and a couple of foot pedals will do.
-I'm certainly not going to ride around in the open air, especially in bad weather. Add a roof, a heater, and an air conditioner.
-17 miles an hour? Two hours of operation? Sorry, I have places to go. Add a nice 6-cylinder engine.
-Where am I supposed to put my groceries? Add a trunk. And a back seat. I have a family, you know!
Add all this, and maybe a 4-speaker CD system, and I think you'll have a winner!
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Sorry, I'm only a 1336 h4x0r.
Well, if it goes over 30mph, it'll go faster than most of the traffic in Northern VA during rush hour. If you could brrrm down Hwy. 66 and pass all the other traffic on the extreme left, it would be pretty cool. Heck, near all the "popular" exits, the right lane is usually moving at walking speed anyway. The only real problem I see is that business about leaning forward to go forward & v/v at high speeds. I am probably not that coordinated. Also, people who are concerned about their hair-styling will not be pleased. However, if you can get your dog on the back, s/he would love it. That's it. The ultimate dog-walker!! Thank you, thank you very much. }:{)||
I was wondering why the digitally remastered "Easy Rider" DVD I bought from Amazon had Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda riding around on scooters. I had figured it was just the director's cut.
Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!
we start seeing engine upgrades and battery upgrades, maybe even the computer chip upgrades. A whole new generation of extreme sports will be created! I can't wait to pull a superman off some motocross jump on 'IT'! You guys just wait!!!
No, acctually it is "not a goddamn scooter": "Inventor Unveils Machine That's Not A Goddamn Scooter, OK?"
Congratulations! You got the joke!
Who says Slashdotters are morons? Not me!
And I'll just bet you're a million laughs at parties, you sly dog!
(1) Second parallel battery pack -- "turbo edition" ;-)
(2) Holder for a plastic flower -- "nostalgia edition"
(3) Lowered suspension and purple neon lighting underneath -- "urban edition"
(4) Pedals instead of a battery so it becomes self powered -- "amish edition" (or alternatively, "Greepeace speical"
-psy
It's destined to fail because you have to stand.
"I am a student. Please do not fold, spindle, or mutilate me." -Slogan of the Free Speech Movement, 1964.
The ASIMO's lawyer was quoted as saying "1001001110001010".
Ask and Ye shall receive
and here I am using my legs like a sucker!
What's not to be worried about? Everything!
I agree.
If you're going to post it, don't try to justify the fact that you think it might be bad to post it by saying that you shouldn't be posting it.
If you weren't going to post you wouldn't post it. Writing that you're kicking yourself is useless. Who cares. If you didn't want to contribute to the problem you wouldn't post it.
The way you make it sound is as if you posted it before and now you're kicking yourself for doing it where actually you still haven't yet posted it and you already wrote that you're kicking youreself for posting it. What sense does that make?
whew
I hate the fact that you people don't salute me
Pretend to be Canadian?
But you forgot that cities will automatically redesign themselves around the segway!
If you had nuts on your chin, would they be chin nuts?
If 2000 Segway riders (thin OR fat) rolled in to Paris, France would surrender.