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Recall of Segway Announced by CPSC

Posted by michael on from the safety-first dept.

mshiltonj writes "The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the Segway human transporter. The hazard is that under certain operating conditions, particularly when the batteries are near the end of charge, some Segway HTs may not deliver enough power, allowing the rider to fall. This can happen if the rider speeds up abruptly, encounters an obstacle, or continues to ride after receiving a low-battery alert."

8 of 569 comments (clear)

  1. Well, gee, no kidding. by casuist99 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    This seems obvious if you know just a little bit about how the Segway works. I know it's this "hip" invention, but if you're dumb enough to be riding it around and not notice that the battery is really low, you might just BREAK a hip.
    That said, despite being this yuppie-esque way to get around, the concept is pretty neat. I just know I wouldn't want to fall off this thing. Good for the CPSC, good for the consumer. Interesting story.

  2. does anyone even have one? by sgtpudding · · Score: 0, Redundant

    they can probably just call the three people who bought one and warn them personally.

  3. George W by bombadillo · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Maybe this is what caused ole "W" to fall off his segway. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2989000. stm Was it his batteries or his ineptness? Something tells me it wasn't the batteries....

  4. Hmm, same thing with shoes. by 3Suns · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Under certain operating conditions, if you lean over more than a few degrees while wearing your Reebok Human Transporters, the balancing mechanism may fail, causing the rider to fall. The CPSC has issued a voluntary recall of all Reebok Human Transporter products.

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    -3Suns

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    The Revolution will be Slashdotted
  5. Better recall motorcycles too then! by dougnaka · · Score: 0, Redundant
    because if you ran out of gas during speedy freeway driving you could crash!

    This is evidence of a flaw in modern thought. This is why new drugs can barely make it past FDA while smoking remains legal.

    Just because it's new means it has to be safe, and perfect. I say we abondon this whole heartily. It's time for products to be dangerous again. Consumers need to be informed of the dangers, and they can take their lives into their own hands. It's our soppy, pany-waste sissy society's fault, and I for one am FED UP.

    Give me the information, and let me decide. I don't want to be protected from products, I want to be informed about them and decide my own level of risk.

    --
    My Linux Command of the Day site : LCOD
  6. Re:That explains the Shrub... by onyxruby · · Score: 1, Redundant

    So the idea is that they can't shoot very well at our troops while their doubled over with laughter? I like it.

  7. What's the problem? by coene · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Anyone who owns a Segway deservs to fall down everynow and then and again and again.

  8. In other news... by NorthDude · · Score: 0, Redundant


    CPSC announce a voluntary recall on all type of helicopters as they may crash and cause injuries if you continue to fly after having received a low fuel alert.



    Yes, maybe they could do an auto-rotation, I know...

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    I'd rather be sailing...