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Build Your Own Segway

Posted by michael on from the poetry-in-motion dept.

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)."

7 of 257 comments (clear)

  1. Still not US-friendly by TACD · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can't help but notice that it lacks training wheels. Guess GWB will have to wait a bit longer before he can join this 'revolution'...

    --
    Security through promiscuity is no better than security through obscurity.
  2. Is it REALLY a Segway? by pegr__ · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, does it throw you off when the battery dies?

  3. well i've built one already by Kwelstr · · Score: 4, Funny

    I changed the configuration, and instead of using an electric motor, I made it human powered. I put the wheels front and back instead of sideways... That way I cannot get sued.

    Also, I decided to add a sit, because I don't like standing and I have eliminated the giroscopes, they are too expensive.

    Hmmmm I think I am going to call my device "the bicycle". It has a nice ring to it.

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    ~~~Please pass the salt, I hate unsalted MD5s :-/
  4. Forget the Segway. Better wheelchairs! by Davak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  5. it's only a flesh wound by Dorothy+86 · · Score: 4, Funny
    There is no redundancy or backup system. It is not even robustly made. Loose wires literally dangle out the bottom. In the fairly likely event of the software crashing, a wire coming loose, a component failing, or the batteries running low, the wheels will lock and the entire kinetic energy of the system is used to accelerate my head toward the ground.

    Sounds like fun to me!

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    Game Overdrive - Gaming News
  6. Truly we will be advanced by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Funny

    When the walking robot climb on and ride the scooter. Oh the irony of it!

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  7. Re:Cost by tho+1234 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "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.