Arjun Ram writes "MSNBC.com is reporting that renting a segway would cost as much as $20 for each 30-minute increment, for up to 90 minutes. Users can also pay $5 for a test drive, or 'pre-glide' as Lambeth calls it. Neat!"
Still overpricing something that doesn't DO anything. Too many americans are overweight.. but we don't do anything about it. Now we've got this thing.. *sigh* What ever happened to WALKING somewhere?
I'm 15, and probably the youngest Early Adopter out there.
It costs $ to be an 'early adopter' (which btw is a universal term for "person who buys new kit, has little regard for $)
A Segway i-Series is by no means cheap, about $5000 retail. I chose mine in lieu of a car for now, and hoped that it would make my life a bit easier and productive.
Assuming for a second that your not a astro-turfish shill, Where exactly does a 15 year old get $5000 to spend on crap like this? "in lieu of a car for now"? and you are planning on buying a car too?
You indulgent little shit, buy a goddamn bike and give the rest of the cash daddy-gives to United Way.
I'm sorry here buddy, but could we keep this at a mature level for a minute? I'd love to know why the moderators even considered giving you anything more than flamebait for a minute.
All of my kvetching aside, though. Listen, I'm an Early Adopter because of where I live, the time I live in, and my mindset. I live in Miami. The traffic is to say the least, hellish. Gas prices are through the roof, and even regular unleaded nowadays can cost upwards of $1.80 a gallon. Insurance costs? Insanity.
Using a Segway is a statement and a way I live my life. It says that I'm not an ignorant peon who realizes the folly of using 100-year old technology to move from point A to point B at the cost of our environment. It says that I'm enough of a geek to realize the potential of this technology. Above all, it's an opportunity for me to gain simple independence and unique standing at the benefit of my own mind.
My HT was paid for in large by my father, but also in part by myself, with the profits from a small network consulting firm I run (about a 70-30 split of the cost there). He would have ended up paying for a car in less than a few months, so even a Kia Rio (MSRP $5k) would cost more than a HT. Funny you mention United Way...I'll mention round figures for a moment - our family contributes in excess of $30k a year to various charitable organizations, United Way amongst them (yes, real organizations, not the NRA or Walk America).
Do you for some strange reason think that a bike would resolve my transportation issues, or that of anyone else? I don't dispute the exercise potential of a bicycle for a minute, however its real transportation value is little, if any. My morning commute is 5.7 miles on the street, and another 10 miles or so on the Miami-Dade Metrorail. As a matter of fact, bicycles aren't allowed on the Metro during rush-hour, and as such, I wouldn't be able to use it for my commute if I wanted to. I carry about 30-40 pounds of stuff on a daily basis between my laptop, backpack, and any other gear I may have with me. Bikes are not only less safe, but they are more of an inconvenience and less rugged than the HT for my purposes. I can't bike to school every day in khakis and a decent shirt and show up in proper condition in 90F weather with 80-95% humidity and sunshine.
Take a break from ignorance, perhaps ask some questions first next time. I don't mind questions, I do however mind being insulted (ignorant little shit - how low can you go?).
Oh, and no, I'm probably not going to be looking at a car. The costs are prohibitive, and I don't see a need for one at this point. My HT works perfectly for my needs.
Once again, if you have any questions (or insults even), please contact me whenever you like at opti6600@bellsouth.net.
"It says that I'm not an ignorant peon who realizes the folly of using 100-year old technology to move from point A to point B at the cost of our environment."
Century-old internal combustion engines weren't anywhere near as efficient as they are today
What exactly produces the electricity you use to charge your Segway?
"Above all, it's an opportunity for me to gain simple independence and unique standing at the benefit of my own mind."
Is it just me, or did you just say that the most important reason you had one was that it made you look cool?
"Do you for some strange reason think that a bike would resolve my transportation issues, or that of anyone else?"
What could a Segway do to solve someone's transportation problems that a bicycle could not?
"As a matter of fact, bicycles aren't allowed on the Metro during rush-hour, and as such, I wouldn't be able to use it for my commute if I wanted to."
And Segways are? You're one of those people that believes that Segway users are still somehow pedestrians, aren't you? I suspect the only reason that Segway's are "allowed" on the train is that a city employee hasn't taken you to task on it yet.
"I carry about 30-40 pounds of stuff on a daily basis between my laptop, backpack, and any other gear I may have with me."
How is it better to wear all that on your back than to distribute it between your back and saddle bags?
"Bikes are not only less safe, but they are more of an inconvenience and less rugged than the HT for my purposes."
Like how, exactly? I somehow don't see a Segway doing much off-road...
"I can't bike to school every day in khakis and a decent shirt and show up in proper condition in 90F weather with 80-95% humidity and sunshine."
Why not? It's the very same weather you Segway your way to school in, and a bicycle can move faster than a Segway, shortening your time outside.
What portion of your tax-dollars are spent on highways, bi-ways, 4lane roads and other elements of urban-sprawl? Cities are being DESIGNED TO REQUIRE an automobile. Not only is the auto *personally* expensive, but sprawl costs your community big-BIG $$$. More roads to clear of snow, more roads to patrol, greater distances of electrical/water/sewage services all NEEDLESS spending because people are encouraged to WANT this mindless suburban-commuter lifestyle.
If you *aren't* forced (because of city-design) to spend $$$ on a 'truck', how much less would you be required to maintain the same standard of living? Could you turn in your auto, move downtown and vacation an additional 4 weeks per year? maybe.. maybe-not. The bottom line is that NorthAmerica needs a re-think on its personal transportation / city design ideas....
Im not saying the segway is the future of the world, I *am* saying it is welcome in a more reasonably-scaled urban environment.
Im tired of paying for sprawl and highways... not only is it irresponsible for the planet, it is expensive. I want a reasonable public transit system, and human-scale transportation (bikeways/walkways/segways(maybe))
Wow! That was about as authoritative as using the WWP as a source for union issues, WSWS as a source for Economics, or Pacifica Radio as a source for ANYTHING to do with free choice.
Nice try though.
BTW, your in your sig, you use the same time tested method, well documented by George Orwell and others, that the Communist press has been using for ages to cease arguement. Then again, that is what you used when you invoked the dreaded "sprawl" word.
As Orwell wrote, in the closing passages of chapter XI, in Homage to Catalonia: "It is as though in the middle of a chess tournament one competitor should suddenly begin screaming that the other is guilty of arson or bigamy. The point that is really at issue remains untouched. Libel settles nothing."
20 bucks ? thats more expensive than renting a car. The last time I saw, these things weren't half as expensive as a car.
Lets see how long the sizzle lasts.
--
Siggy Say, Siggy Do
$20/30mins ? $5 for a test drive ???
by
Rosco+P.+Coltrane
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· Score: 5, Insightful
In less than 2 segway hours, you can buy an okay used bicycle. For around 20 segway hours, you can get yourself a brand new bicycle with electric assistance that'll go just as well as the segway, for hundreds or thousands of miles, faster, and without letting you fall flat on your face when the batteries die.
I know it's cool technology, and the balancing act is impressive to watch, but from an economics standpoint, no segway for me, no siree...
-- "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
Why should I pay for a test drive?
by
The+Fanta+Menace
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· Score: 2, Insightful
If they want me to buy one of these things, why should I have to pay $5 to test it? They're going to have to do better than that to get me to waste my money on crap like this.
-- --
Even if a god did exist, why the fsck should I worship it?
We put GPS... units on them so we could track their location but its hidden within the machine so don't bother looking for it.
Sure thing dude. A GPS receiver and tracking transmitter are SO tiny, dare I say microscopic, that there's NO WAY anyone could find it in your Segway. NOT!
It's not like the Segway is the size of a dump truck where it would be a pain in the neck to look for.
There are only so many places they could hide it in the Segway: in the post, in the handles, and in the part you stand on.
Gimme some Torx drivers and I'll find it in under 10 minutes.
... more fun to *accidentaly* hack the segway, install your rc car controllers and a servo for the steering, bungee cord* a blow up love doll on it, then drive it around to watch peoples expressions.
Really,to not be silly, I see segways as way more useful as a robot base to work from. Who needs a dedicated robot for each task? Like the roombah, a segway could have an adaptor for house vacuuming, then it could go outside and mow the lawn. This is just the normal "tractor" concept, one platform that has "modules" that attach that can do a myriad of tasks.
Inter-factory/warehouse/office deliverybot perhaps. Remote controlled security guards that roam the hallways at night,perhaps use one for transporting various things inside hospitals, things of that nature that a human might normally do but would be better to just have a drone do, freeing up the humans for the more demanding and specialised work. Geez, just floor washing and buffing at night in stores it would be neat. All done with the same base and just different attachments. Tons of different uses really. It has real decent range, is highly maneuverable, and will carry some decent weight. Seems a natural to me.
*all good projects need a bungee cord and duct tape someplace, it's da roolz n stuff
My point exactly, and on a bike you can go faster then 12.5 miles/hour, for longer then 11 miles, ride in the street and not risk smashing into a passerby, and more important in Canada, a bike can ride in snow! (really, though I am not held responsible for any injury you will sustain from trying this. I am not a trained professional, just a canadian;-))
-- In Canada, we don't fancy things like socks
Why so expensive?
by
turbosaab
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· Score: 2, Insightful
The pricing seems a bit high for such a short-term rental. $40/hour might work for a test-drive, but won't allow people to use the Segways as anything more than a toy.
Renting Segways daily or weekly in cities would make a lot of sense. They would be perfect for tourists, etc, who want to explore "on foot".
Around $40-50/day should be profitable and still be affordable. The initial cost for a unit is under $10,000 and the electricity to charge them is negligable. Are maintenance costs and/or life expenctancy bad enough to prevent this from being practical?
I've been surprised at how little (if any, really) I've seen about the possible uses of the HT as a very useful medical device, particularly when considering Kamen's history in medical technology.
For example, I'm working with a patient right now who had a little complication after having some titanium implanted in his back. They had to remove the brace, but the screws they had to leave are now causing incredible pain. Just yesterday, he was so relieved that he could finally actually sit down in a seat and watch TV thanks to some new medication. His day consists entirely of standing and lying down, and switching between the two is almost unbearable. He is able to walk but only with a cane, slowly, and with much pain. Needless to say, a wheelchair is out of the question, if for no other reason than that it would be even more painful. I told him he might look into the Segway as a possible way to get around. At any given time (such as now), I have 2-4 patients (on a 24 patient max unit) that have some problem, be it with their back, knees, feet, or whatever, that makes walking either extremely painful or extremely difficult and hazardous, and my unit has nothing to do with treatment of those types of problems. Taking your dog for a walk, carrying groceries, walking without pain... Simple things most of us take for granted, but which unfortunately many people aren't able to do or enjoy.
Lots of people seem to think these things are useless, or that they're only good for lazy people. It seems to me that such an opinion stems from a reaction to their cost vs. usage value for the average person. Personally, I'd like to see insurance companies catch on to this and start providing these things to patients with cases that warrant it. I could see them greatly reducing costs in a variety of treatment areas while also allowing many disabled people to return to regain some of the lost joy of life, not to mention return to work.
why not just use a bike?
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 1, Insightful
why spend $5k on this stupid scooter when you can buy a decent mountain bike for under $300 ??? You can go faster on a bike and you won't get stranded either.
i guess we're getting so fat ass and lazy now??
Re:Amusement parks
by
Rinikusu
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Actually, unless they use a smart-card/key system or have "parking-at-the-rides", I don't see this being viable for amusement parks. I've been to Six Flags and the place is *packed*, could you imagine trying to find "parking spots" for the rented Segway whilst you go toss your cookies on some behemoth Roller Coaster?
Now, the zoo, on the other hand, it might make more sense. You don't really have to park and leave the thing unattended for extreme stretches of time, you can roll through the exhibits.. Hey! Segway the Guggenheim!:)
Also, golf courses might be a decent place to try them out. Rig up a "trailer" for the clubs (Or just sling them on your back) and away you go..
-- If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
are you kidding?
by
boarder
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Seriously, while a ticket to Disneyland is expensive and you may not enjoy it, think about what this really costs.
$20 for 30 minutes. That's it. A ticket to Disneyland costs about $50 for a 12 hour day (or you can get the 4 day ticket for about $150). Add on the cost of food and souveniers and all that crap kids must have, and you'll be at around $120 for 12 hours. That's only $10/hour, whereas the Segway is $40/hour.
If anyone at Segway Inc. wants an idea why they have a stupid business plan, all they have to do is look at the economics of their machine. I can rent a car for $20/day, but they are charging $20/half hour for something that is supposed to replace cars in the city.
"...users are asked to sign waive any liability claims if they are in an accident.""
I thought this thing was so safe. Who takes the liability when the accident involves another person?
Don't tell me that something that weighs 250+ lbs, can go 12mph is safe on the sidewalk.
It works for me. Not for everyone.
by
toybuilder
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· Score: 2, Insightful
The Segway is as "pointless" as the horseless carriage and the velocipeds from 100-120 years ago.
In 1897, the Sears Catalog sold "safety bicycles" (i.e., pedal-and-chain style, versus the big "penny farthing" type) for $25. That's equivalent to about $2,200 year-2003 dollars.
The Segway dropped from $10,000 two years ago, to $7,000 last year, to $5,000 now. Give it time.
It will find its place in the spectrum of transportation choices. Some people will always walk. Some people will always drive gas-guzzling SUV's and exotic cars that cost more than my 2 bedroom home. Most people will find something in between.
Slashdot Mirror
Still overpricing something that doesn't DO anything. Too many americans are overweight.. but we don't do anything about it. Now we've got this thing.. *sigh* What ever happened to WALKING somewhere?
I really have no idea what I am talking about.
These things are supposed to replace cars in some sort of "brave new world" and they cost more for 20 min. than a pickup truck costs for all day?
Sorry, you lost me on the segway.
Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
20 bucks ? thats more expensive than renting a car. The last time I saw, these things weren't half as expensive as a car.
Lets see how long the sizzle lasts.
Siggy Say, Siggy Do
In less than 2 segway hours, you can buy an okay used bicycle. For around 20 segway hours, you can get yourself a brand new bicycle with electric assistance that'll go just as well as the segway, for hundreds or thousands of miles, faster, and without letting you fall flat on your face when the batteries die.
...
I know it's cool technology, and the balancing act is impressive to watch, but from an economics standpoint, no segway for me, no siree
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
If they want me to buy one of these things, why should I have to pay $5 to test it? They're going to have to do better than that to get me to waste my money on crap like this.
-- Even if a god did exist, why the fsck should I worship it?
Sure thing dude. A GPS receiver and tracking transmitter are SO tiny, dare I say microscopic, that there's NO WAY anyone could find it in your Segway. NOT!
It's not like the Segway is the size of a dump truck where it would be a pain in the neck to look for.
There are only so many places they could hide it in the Segway: in the post, in the handles, and in the part you stand on.
Gimme some Torx drivers and I'll find it in under 10 minutes.
... more fun to *accidentaly* hack the segway, install your rc car controllers and a servo for the steering, bungee cord* a blow up love doll on it, then drive it around to watch peoples expressions.
Really,to not be silly, I see segways as way more useful as a robot base to work from. Who needs a dedicated robot for each task? Like the roombah, a segway could have an adaptor for house vacuuming, then it could go outside and mow the lawn. This is just the normal "tractor" concept, one platform that has "modules" that attach that can do a myriad of tasks.
Inter-factory/warehouse/office deliverybot perhaps. Remote controlled security guards that roam the hallways at night,perhaps use one for transporting various things inside hospitals, things of that nature that a human might normally do but would be better to just have a drone do, freeing up the humans for the more demanding and specialised work. Geez, just floor washing and buffing at night in stores it would be neat. All done with the same base and just different attachments. Tons of different uses really. It has real decent range, is highly maneuverable, and will carry some decent weight. Seems a natural to me.
*all good projects need a bungee cord and duct tape someplace, it's da roolz n stuff
In Canada, we don't fancy things like socks
The pricing seems a bit high for such a short-term rental. $40/hour might work for a test-drive, but won't allow people to use the Segways as anything more than a toy. Renting Segways daily or weekly in cities would make a lot of sense. They would be perfect for tourists, etc, who want to explore "on foot". Around $40-50/day should be profitable and still be affordable. The initial cost for a unit is under $10,000 and the electricity to charge them is negligable. Are maintenance costs and/or life expenctancy bad enough to prevent this from being practical?
I've been surprised at how little (if any, really) I've seen about the possible uses of the HT as a very useful medical device, particularly when considering Kamen's history in medical technology.
For example, I'm working with a patient right now who had a little complication after having some titanium implanted in his back. They had to remove the brace, but the screws they had to leave are now causing incredible pain. Just yesterday, he was so relieved that he could finally actually sit down in a seat and watch TV thanks to some new medication. His day consists entirely of standing and lying down, and switching between the two is almost unbearable. He is able to walk but only with a cane, slowly, and with much pain. Needless to say, a wheelchair is out of the question, if for no other reason than that it would be even more painful. I told him he might look into the Segway as a possible way to get around. At any given time (such as now), I have 2-4 patients (on a 24 patient max unit) that have some problem, be it with their back, knees, feet, or whatever, that makes walking either extremely painful or extremely difficult and hazardous, and my unit has nothing to do with treatment of those types of problems. Taking your dog for a walk, carrying groceries, walking without pain... Simple things most of us take for granted, but which unfortunately many people aren't able to do or enjoy.
Lots of people seem to think these things are useless, or that they're only good for lazy people. It seems to me that such an opinion stems from a reaction to their cost vs. usage value for the average person. Personally, I'd like to see insurance companies catch on to this and start providing these things to patients with cases that warrant it. I could see them greatly reducing costs in a variety of treatment areas while also allowing many disabled people to return to regain some of the lost joy of life, not to mention return to work.
buy a decent mountain bike for under $300 ??? You can go faster on a bike and you won't get stranded either.
i guess we're getting so fat ass and lazy now??
Actually, unless they use a smart-card/key system or have "parking-at-the-rides", I don't see this being viable for amusement parks. I've been to Six Flags and the place is *packed*, could you imagine trying to find "parking spots" for the rented Segway whilst you go toss your cookies on some behemoth Roller Coaster?
:)
Now, the zoo, on the other hand, it might make more sense. You don't really have to park and leave the thing unattended for extreme stretches of time, you can roll through the exhibits.. Hey! Segway the Guggenheim!
Also, golf courses might be a decent place to try them out. Rig up a "trailer" for the clubs (Or just sling them on your back) and away you go..
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
Seriously, while a ticket to Disneyland is expensive and you may not enjoy it, think about what this really costs.
$20 for 30 minutes. That's it. A ticket to Disneyland costs about $50 for a 12 hour day (or you can get the 4 day ticket for about $150). Add on the cost of food and souveniers and all that crap kids must have, and you'll be at around $120 for 12 hours. That's only $10/hour, whereas the Segway is $40/hour.
If anyone at Segway Inc. wants an idea why they have a stupid business plan, all they have to do is look at the economics of their machine. I can rent a car for $20/day, but they are charging $20/half hour for something that is supposed to replace cars in the city.
IANAL, but I play one on
"...users are asked to sign waive any liability claims if they are in an accident.""
I thought this thing was so safe. Who takes the liability when the accident involves another person?
Don't tell me that something that weighs 250+ lbs, can go 12mph is safe on the sidewalk.
The Segway is as "pointless" as the horseless carriage and the velocipeds from 100-120 years ago.
In 1897, the Sears Catalog sold "safety bicycles" (i.e., pedal-and-chain style, versus the big "penny farthing" type) for $25. That's equivalent to about $2,200 year-2003 dollars.
The Segway dropped from $10,000 two years ago, to $7,000 last year, to $5,000 now. Give it time.
It will find its place in the spectrum of transportation choices. Some people will always walk. Some people will always drive gas-guzzling SUV's and exotic cars that cost more than my 2 bedroom home. Most people will find something in between.