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Build Your Own Segway
bugbear writes "Robot hacker Trevor Blackwell explains how to build your own
Segway-style balancing scooter. He says it's not that hard
(but he already knows how to build walking robots)."
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The guy that designed the segway also designed the iBot which is basically a wheelchair that can "walk" on 2 or 4 wheels. This includes the easy navigation of stairs.
Forget about copying the segway...
Copy this device! It goes for about 20k... how many people do you think can really afford this thing? This device allows wheelchair-bound people to practically walk again!
Drugs go generic... but I fear this thing will be too pricey for a long time to come.
Robot hacker Trevor Blackwell explains how to build your own Segway-style balancing scooter. He says it's not that hard (but he already knows how to build walking robots).
In related news, NASA engineers explain how to build your own space shuttle. They say it's not that hard.
(Seriously though, the instructions given on Trevor Blackwell's site for building your home-brewed Segway are not much more complicated than what I did in EE labs at Berkeley.)
The size of the adult bicycle wheel was developed through trial and error over a few decades. What I find interesting is that two largely seperate development trees came to much the same conclusion.
26" in America, 700c in Europe.
It's a pretty good indication that within the parameters of the problem the solution is reasonably close to optimal.
Of course if you change the parameters you change the solution. Folding bikes, for instance, generally go with 24" or 20" wheels since one of the parameters is now compact size when folded.
One of the design parameters of Segway type vehicles is that they take up a fairly small footprint, as close to a pedestrian footprint as they can get. Hence the small wheels.
Of course the smaller wheels carry certain disadvantages, as you note. Higher rolling resistence (but since you're not pedaling this may not matter much to you), less able to climb over obstacles, more likely to fall into potholes and "nibble" in cracks.
Probably the biggest detriment to the small wheels is the inherent lack of stability though. With the rider's platform hanging well below the axle line they'd have stability without the gyroscope. You can buy toys for parakeets made like this. Kind of like Weebles with Wheels. (In fact that would make a good name for a "motorcycle gang" mounted on these).
Before the turn of the century there were actually a number of commercial bicycles sold that were built on this same layout.
They don't work as well as a nice folding bike though. That's why you don't see them anymore but a number of manufacturers will sell you a folding bike.
You "recharge" a folding bike with pizza, which is rather pleasant, and they're much easier to take on the bus with you than a Segway like device when you get tired of pedaling.
I tend to think there will continue to be more bikes than Segways for a good while yet.
KFG
Couldn't someone create a cheap knockoff of the Segway by attaching a small shopping cart wheel to the back, and chucking all of the expensive gyros? They wouldn't even violate any Segway patents in the process.
In any event, $5,000 for a scooter is just sillyness (yes, it is just a scooter).
if(!toilet_paper) roll.replace(new roll);
In mean, FFS why put the wheels side by side and then include $4,300 worth of electronics to make it balance when you can put the wheels inline, save that cash and a load of weight but otherwise have identical performance *and* better brakes?
It's being stupid for stupid's sake.
Google found this for me in 0.1 seconds:
http://www.zapworld.com/xtreme.htm
Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
i really don't understand this whole fascination with the segway, i can't think of any other product that generated as much buzz for no otherwise good reason as this.
Just tell me, in what way is a segway better than a Honda Ruckus for example? I, myself, if given a choice between a segway and a honda ruckus, i would definintely take the ruckus. First of all, it's well established technology, it'll fill up anywhere, and it'll take you a long way on a tank, and you can fix it almost wherever you want. It's not particularly noisy, not the modern machines. It's extremely reliable, i'd totally be willing to take one to commute to work and make it on time, around town and do some shopping, on a highway, up a mountain and into the wood, along a beach strip, or heck, i can even go on an around-the-world forest-gump-style trip on one, i swear, it's that reliable. It's also fast enough, and flexible, it'll negotiate almost any reasonable terrain. It's also seems more comfortable, you actually SIT DOWN on it rather than commute standing up. As for the segway, it's damn slow, i just find it bizarre that some people say they commute to work on one, and also for some reason i feel it'd emarrass me a lot to be seen on a segway. I also find the Ruckus cooler in a no-nonsense way.
The segway is just damn not practical as a commuting machine. I am yet to understand why postal workers or other public workers for examples were purchased segways rather than a honda ruckus which costs less than third the price. I realize that some people might argue that it's a machine that can be used inside buildings, but, i just think that's way too silly. Just walk dude, and if you have a problem with comfort get a pair of Birkenstocks. If you have a problem with walking then maybe you'll also likely to have a problem with standing up for the length of your journey. Can anyone give me a reason that makes sense why segways, at their current price, make any sense?
I am sure it must be a fad.
"I'd rather buy 2 of his scooters than give my money to Dean Kamen."
Why? Why would you hate Deam Kamen?
He has invented dozens of revolutionary biomedical devices that have improved the lives of many people. (dialysis machines, wheelchairs, etc). Many design elements from the Segway, esp the redundent backup systems, come from his experience in biomedical devices.
Meanwhile, he has used much of the money made through this to promote engineering and technology to high school students, through the FIRST robotics competition(http://www.usfirst.org/)
This competition has raised the awareness of robotics and engineering to thousands of students, and probably a good reason why i'm studying engineering physics (with EE major) right now.
I don't see why a tech site like slashdot is so against him, when he has done so much in promoting technology to the masses.
I must fully agree as Dean Kamen has done a lot to help. I was a team captain in the FIRST Robotics Competetion for two years, it is very involving and also got me even more interested in the engineering field. I'm even going to one of my team's mentor's old college (except he went here nearly 60 years ago).
Walking [and bike riding] is not about 100% control, but learning to react to being out-of-control. A baby takes so long to learn to walk because they have to learn to fall a little. Riding a bike involves learning not just to pedal, but to "sway" back and forth with each motion..and the terrain.
Someone should build a ot with pairs of linear motors so that it can develop opposing "waves" of motion, against, and free power.