Segway Revolutionizes Polo

Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-28 22:40 · Score: 5, Funny

I'm not impressed.

Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by StarfishOne · 2004-07-29 00:19 · Score: 1

Perhaps an idea for a new UT weapon? :D

Something like the 'SegLauncher'? ;)

Make your time! Release all Seg! \o/
Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by timts · 2004-07-29 01:11 · Score: 0

guess that secrect toilet set vehicle in UT2004 on street would impress you.
Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by bonkedproducer · 2004-07-29 01:31 · Score: 1

This says it all when it comes to seqway. All that cash for nothing.

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Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:01 · Score: 0

Bah, I want to see a level in Half Life 2 where you ride a segway and hit things with a crowbar.
Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by inkdesign · 2004-07-29 03:04 · Score: 1

When one of the postal workers who got a Segway finally cracks, you'll get a sneak preview!
Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by Hognoxious · 2004-07-29 05:41 · Score: 1

I thought of something similar. A classically educated friend even came up with a name - a "durota". But mine was more practical, it had the wheels arranged one behind the other. Sadly, I doubt that makes it sufficiently different to avoid a patent lawsuit, so it probably won't catch on.

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Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Re:Until I see a Segway as a vehicle in UT2004 by severoon · 2004-07-29 12:16 · Score: 1

So this is where all those futuristic, gyro-balanced sports that I keep seeing in sci-fi movies come from! Are we on the path to the Segway Sport(TM)?

sev

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Finally by DreadCthulhu · 2004-07-28 22:41 · Score: 4, Funny

Finally, a decent use for those things.

Re:Finally by mirko · 2004-07-28 22:50 · Score: 5, Funny

Well, it almost proved to be usable, once...

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Re:Finally by Oligonicella · 2004-07-29 00:06 · Score: 4, Insightful

From the article:
"The machine's creator, Dean Kamen, wants to see US Special Forces troops eventually ride Segways into battle."

What a self-serving assh*le. The things only do a couple mph and can't even navigate dirt, let along rough terrain.
Re:Finally by mirko · 2004-07-29 01:30 · Score: 1

Note that this is still a very expensive [bp]retzel :)

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Re:Finally by jav1231 · 2004-07-29 01:35 · Score: 1

Exactly. Seeing as how it didn't revolutionize travel for all of us, which it was touted to do. I remember when it was finally revealed. The hype leading up was so exagerated, "Whatever it is, it will change the way we travel!" Then this scooter appeared...technologically advanced, for sure, but basically a scooter.
Re:Finally by nanojath · 2004-07-29 04:28 · Score: 1

I say, finally a real talking point for selling the Segway -

"Segway: it's way cheaper than a horse!"

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It Is the Nature of Information to Transgress Artificial Boundaries
Re:Finally by slaad · 2004-07-29 06:00 · Score: 1

It makes perfect sense to me. Each side can have their segways form a line, about 50 yards apart. A second line of segways behind the first could...

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Re:Finally by TheLittleJetson · 2004-07-29 06:36 · Score: 1

god, remember the hype when the idea of this "leaked" ? he was all "they will have to re-make the roads for my new invention. future man-kind will build temples to honor my inventive nature." etc etc -- and yeah, for $12k you can go slightly faster than walking, and look like a fscking tool.
Re:Finally by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 06:51 · Score: 0

Maybe he sees future wars and battles fought in the jousting arena.

Have at thee foul terrorist.
Re:Finally by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:54 · Score: 1

I would like to see a better source on that. Dean Kamen seems like a bright fellow, and I would think he could come up with about a million reasons why special forces would never use one.

There are some jobs in the military that might be enhanced with this, buit none of them envolve being in, or near, combat.

Doesn't it seem to you that the statement is a least taken out of context?

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Re:Finally by bobobobo · 2004-07-29 07:20 · Score: 1

Although it was a bit of a flippant comment on his part. The low mph is put in as a safety measure and can be taken off. Kamen's own personal segway can supposedly go around 40mph or so.

Torrent of the movie by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-28 22:42 · Score: 3, Interesting

For all you Segway lovers, hereis a torrent of the SegwayPolo movie.

Well at least it's doing something! by Stevyn · 2004-07-28 22:42 · Score: 5, Insightful

This was really a good example of a toy with no practical future. I, like many others, were excited about the buildup and then it's debut. I'd say the cost definately prevented it's adoption.

It's funny to see it revolutionize polo though, I don't remember that in the things Kamen promised it would revolutionize.

Re:Well at least it's doing something! by barcodez · 2004-07-28 22:45 · Score: 2, Informative

Segways cost about $5,000 USD at that price a small car or motor bike is a much better bet for urban transport. I definitely agree that the price point for mass adoption hasn't been meet.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by selderrr · 2004-07-28 22:54 · Score: 2, Insightful

initial price is not an issue. My first mac (a Mac II with a 15inch color monitor) cost $5000 too. Without the printer or extra SCSI harddisk. One can't say that it was a barrier for mass adoption, eh ?

The rich (or enterpreneurs) pay the initial batch. After that, profit is met and the price goes down. Segway offcourse has larger obstacles to handle than price.

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When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by mirko · 2004-07-28 22:54 · Score: 1

Well these are still cheaper than horses which'd also might get hurt during the polo match...

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Stevyn · 2004-07-28 23:07 · Score: 1

I think that computers, however, have become cheaper from manufacturing innovations. Computer parts now are unbelieveably cheap compared to 5 years ago. Manufacturing has also become a lot more competitive in Asia. Asia's growth has also done a lot to reduce prices.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by selderrr · 2004-07-28 23:28 · Score: 4, Insightful

segway contains practically only comodity hardware. Nothing fancy in it, no rare materials. The cost of a segway are due to research & the fact that they are manfactured in low quantities. About exactly the problems the computer industry had 20 years ago.

There is no reason at all for the segway to remain this expensive for a long time, unless the company wants to keep its elite status. But unfortunately, there is no telling when the price will drop

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When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by theLastPossibleName · 2004-07-28 23:32 · Score: 1

For those of us that are not athletes, this may level the playing field (pun not intended). But then again, there is that whole standing and leaning part. I've got an idea...what about office chair polo?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by blancolioni · 2004-07-29 00:05 · Score: 4, Insightful

Does it have a price point for mass adoption? It's heavier and slower than a bicycle, with less range and carrying capacity. I don't imagine that it will ever compete with a bicyle on price either.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Bohnanza · 2004-07-29 00:05 · Score: 3, Informative

The price would have to be VERY low for the Segway to be widely adopted, since the device is basically useless.
There is nothing it does that is not done better by a car, motor scooter or bicycle. It is a replacement for walking that is only usable by people who can stand and balance.
I'd really like to hear some of the folks who helped with the hype, such as Bezos and Metcalf, come forth and justify their pre-release claims. IIRC Metcalf claimed "we will all want at least two". What a sham.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by bwy · 2004-07-29 00:08 · Score: 2, Informative

This was really a good example of a toy with no practical future.

True, but the world and economy is so big now that there is almost always a niche or two for the obscure product.

We recently took a guided tour in Sarasota, Florida on a Segway. The Segway did a wonderful job of facilitating the tour... we were able to visit the bayfront, travel on downtown sidewalks, and visit other places we would have never found. And, riding the Segway was a blast.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by gad_zuki! · 2004-07-29 00:10 · Score: 1

If the price does come down to what a cheap scooter costs you, why would I buy the segway? With a scooter I get long range, it runs on gas, can carry two people, do non-highway speeds, street legal, etc.

If the segway could do 40mpg then I'd be interested in it, but walking isn't that tough and I really don't need assistance in that area. Heck, walking is the most exercise more of us get.

That said, it may have applications with the handicapped and the aging population, but as a popular device? I don't think so.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by selderrr · 2004-07-29 00:29 · Score: 1

I wouldn't be so hard to throw around 'naj' arguments. Many people argued they didn't need 1000 songs in their pocket, or a 3D card that can render at 1600x1200, or a 7.1 sound system, or HDTV, or a SMART car, or throw-away cameras, ...

I'm probably forgetting a lot of useless stuff here that went out and became a huge success anyway, despite crushung critiques about it's uselessness.

My point? When status symbols becomes affordable, people will find reasons to buy it. Look at me : I just bought a 1600Euro race-bicycle where a 900EURO would have been good enough. But i wanted shimano ultegra gear (Dura Ace was a total nono from the wife :-)

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When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by modge · 2004-07-29 00:32 · Score: 1

And I'd actaully be prepared to roll up on one. Lastly I might even actaully get were I was going. even a push bike beets the seegway hands daown surely?

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I am a sig
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by op00to · 2004-07-29 00:33 · Score: 2, Interesting

I thought the most expensive parts of the Segway were its magnets for its motors, the batteries, and its gyros. Those are non-trivial parts which, under mass production, could become very cheap indeed.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 00:42 · Score: 0

The Segway site (http://www.segway.com/) is promoting a $1000 "customer cash" certificate that brings the price to $3000 for a p-series model (the smaller one). They're clearing out inventory to both generate funds and space for an upcoming cost-reduced second-generation model.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Dr.+Evil · 2004-07-29 01:00 · Score: 2, Interesting

If that's true, I imagine it will be like in-line skates. They seemed to explode in popularity 20 years after the patent was filed.
I wonder if a Segway could get by on one wheel... ? run two gyros in opposite directions and straddle the wheel. Alter the position of the gyros relative to the wheel to turn and depend on internal friction in the gyro to induce some angular force.
Hmmm... might be fun to build a model.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by micromoog · 2004-07-29 01:05 · Score: 2, Informative

My first mac (a Mac II with a 15inch color monitor) cost $5000 too.
However, it didn't have about a billion cheaper, better alternatives for what it did, like the Segway does.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 01:22 · Score: 1, Insightful

At what point did Mac ever get mass adoption? By the time PC's were common in the average person's home Windows already had an obscene market share. Seems to me like you are proving his point.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Eccles · 2004-07-29 01:25 · Score: 1

For those of us that are not athletes

...this allows you to continue that state.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by jez9999 · 2004-07-29 01:29 · Score: 2, Funny

Segway offcourse has larger obstacles to handle than price.

Yep. Like stairs.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by TamMan2000 · 2004-07-29 01:43 · Score: 1

We recently took a guided tour in Sarasota, Florida on a Segway. The Segway did a wonderful job of facilitating the tour... we were able to visit the bayfront, travel on downtown sidewalks, and visit other places we would have never found. And, riding the Segway was a blast.

That's nice, but everything except the "Segway was a blast" part had nothing to do with the segway.

Guided tours are nothing new... They have been showing people things they would have never found for years using bikes, cars, buses, and feet.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by KevinKnSC · 2004-07-29 02:30 · Score: 1

Agreed. The biggest problem I see with it is that it violates my favorite proverb: "Never stand when you can sit, and never sit when you can lie down." Why stand and go at slow speeds when some sort of bike or scooter (even an electric one) will go faster, be more comfortable, and not look as goofy?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by vidarh · 2004-07-29 02:38 · Score: 1

The difference being that the Segway extends the range beyond what a lot of people would want to walk, while making for a more seamless experience than a bike, and with access to many place where a car or bus would require you to stop, herd the tour group out and back in again afterwards for what might be just a few minutes.
Bikes are nothing new either. That doesn't mean that can't do a better job facilitating some types of tours than the alternatives can.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:43 · Score: 0

I just bought a 1600Euro race-bicycle where a 900EURO would have been good enough.

Yeah, but you would have saved a bundle buying a bike off the rack at WalMart. (I know I know ... WalMart is evil ... those bikes aren't good enough to lick your bike's tires ... status is everything ... whatever)

Back to the real point. The grandparent didn't argue that cheap lightweight powered transportation will never catch on. His aregument was that the niche that these toys try to fill (between walking and scooters) is so narrow that they will never be more than a curiosity. Not quite the same as saying no one will ever need lightweight powered transportation as your analogy suggests.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:45 · Score: 0

Many people argued they didn't need 1000 songs in their pocket, or a 3D card that can render at 1600x1200, or a 7.1 sound system, or HDTV, or a SMART car, or throw-away cameras, ...

Some of us would argue that we still don't.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by bwy · 2004-07-29 02:47 · Score: 1

Guided tours are nothing new

I've taken guided tours across the world... everything from open top bus tours in NYC to a minicoach tour of the Isle of Skye in Scotland to a boat tour in Kauai to a hike thru a rain forest in Antigua to a mountain bike tour through the mountains of St. Lucia. In all of those tours, the transportation mechanism was fitting to the place being toured.

There is no other mechanism more appropriate for a tour of a beautiful place like Sarasota. A stuffy bus or coach would ruin the whole thing. Walking wouldn't let you cover enough distance. Biking wouldn't let you roam the sidewalks with pedestrians nor is it appropriate for a tour where you will stop frequently and listen and look around, etc.

Have you ever ridden a Segway? I'd highly recommend it. The way you can just "stop" and listen to your guide, and turn 360 in place to look at things is really advantageous for the purposes of a guided tour.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by vidarh · 2004-07-29 02:48 · Score: 1

I don't drive a car (never bothered getting a license even - a result of always having lived close enough to well working public transport alternatives to never having felt it was worth the effort), and have no intension of getting one.
Neither do I drive a motor scooter - I'd be a lunatic to want to drive one in London traffic, same for a bike. But I'd love a Segway. Why? Because it would effectively extend the range I'd go without relying on public transport easily and conveniently, while taking up less space and being better suited for small spaces than bikes and scooters.
Just as the bike and cars were essentially considered useless novelties when they were first invented, it's no wonder Segways get the same treatment.
I won't buy one while they're as expensive as they are now, but when the price comes down I'll likely buy one. I live too far from work for using it for commuting, but for trips to the grocery store etc. it would be great and make it even less of a hassle to not have a car.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by vidarh · 2004-07-29 02:51 · Score: 1

How is a small car or motor bike a much better bet for urban transport? The Segway can achieve a higher speed than the average speed of cars going through the centre of London. It takes up less space on the road, and can reasonably be used on sidewalks if they aren't too crowded. A small car or motor bike might be a better bet in some cities, but for London that would probably be primarily if you define "better" as "spends more time in queues".
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Hognoxious · 2004-07-29 03:00 · Score: 1

If the segway could do 40mpg
Per gallon of what? I thought they ran off that new-fangled electrickery.

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:04 · Score: 0

However, it didn't have about a billion cheaper, better alternatives for what it did, like the Segway does.
Just one - the IBM PC. And the Amiga. Two alternatives. (dresses up as a cardinal)
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by pete-classic · 2004-07-29 03:06 · Score: 1

It has totally lived up the hype! Don't you remember when Steve Jobs said it would change the way polo mallets are designed?

Kamen promised to revolutionize polo, and segway has delivered on that promise!

-Peter
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by RevAaron · 2004-07-29 03:11 · Score: 1

I suppose it'd depend on how long of a walk you're talking about, but it seems to me that the Segway really doesn't do that. That is, I'm a 300 lb dude and not in great shape at all, but I have no problem walking 5 miles on a walk around town, or more when I'm on vacation. Sure, the elderly or little annoying kids (that's what a red flyer is for anyway) may not be able to do that, but anyone who is under 60 and older than 10 shouldn't have a problem walking a few miles.

It looks like the Segway gets around 11 miles per charge. Not that much walking if you're walknig around on a tour on your vacation... And if it's going to be long distance- 15 or 20 miles- a bike would be better anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to try riding a Segway, I'm sure it's fun. And a fun thing to do on vacation, for sure. But still- it's not like walking is hard.

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by gad_zuki! · 2004-07-29 03:43 · Score: 1

mph

typo
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by AnonymousKev · 2004-07-29 04:15 · Score: 1

So you're saying that Segways are really Daleks in disguise?

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by CodeArtisan · 2004-07-29 05:03 · Score: 1

Even worse in my eyes is that the guy has invented a really useful mobile transporter i.e. the iBOT wheelchair and all the hype still goes to the Segway.

Starts with an "i" and contains "BOT" - it rocks.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 05:14 · Score: 0

a higher speed than the average speed of cars going through the centre of London.[...] and can reasonably be used on sidewalks
We don't have sidewalks in London...
if they aren't too crowded.
... and even if we did, they would be. Except at 2 a.m., when your poncy chariot would be stolen by assylum seekers.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by frankmu · 2004-07-29 05:23 · Score: 1

i agree with you. this looks much cooler, for the same price

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by jlaxson · 2004-07-29 05:44 · Score: 1

I wonder if a Segway could get by on one wheel...

It has been done. (This from the same guy who built a regular two-wheel scooter, too)

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Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 06:27 · Score: 0

Neither do I drive a motor scooter - I'd be a lunatic to want to drive one in London traffic, same for a bike. But I'd love a Segway.

Why would you feel safer in traffic on a Segway? You do realize that when a car hits you you will be just as dead as you would have been on a bike?

You don't intend to use the Segway to menace pedestrians on the sidewalk do you? If that is your intention, why not just ride your bike/scooter on the sidewalk, be the same menace to pedestians, but save big $$$?
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 06:34 · Score: 0

The cost of a segway are due to research & the fact that they are manfactured in low quantities.
Err, you're forgetting one of the larger product costs in the US: legal liability.

It doesn't help matters when the commander in chief takes a tumble: Bush v. Segway
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by sean.peters · 2004-07-29 08:31 · Score: 1

initial price is not an issue. My first mac (a Mac II with a 15inch color monitor) cost $5000 too. Without the printer or extra SCSI harddisk. One can't say that it was a barrier for mass adoption, eh ?

Let's see - you provide me with exactly one example - yourself - who bought one of these things at the given price point, and conclude from that that the price wasn't an obstacle to "mass adoption"?

News flash: you != the masses. Lots of people did end up buying Macs... but not at $5k. They waited for the price to come down. It remains to be seen whether a) Segway's price will drop and b) if anyone will bother buying them even if it does.

Sean
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 08:40 · Score: 0

so why not buy the 900EURO bike, and spend 300 to upgrade to ultegra? 400 saved ain't bad.
Re:Well at least it's doing something! by stephentyrone · 2004-07-29 08:56 · Score: 1

Walking wouldn't let you cover enough distance.
Are you out of your mind? Let's have a competition. You get on your segway, and I'll start walking, and we'll see who gets farther before they run out of power. Hint: the segway doesn't stand a chance in hell. The more expensive segway has a range of 8-12 miles. At a *very* relaxed pace, taking lots of time to stop and look at things, poke around, etc, I can cover over 20 miles in a day. If I'm going for distance, I can comfortably do 40 miles per day.

Segways also revolutionizing off-roading apparenty by psoriac · 2004-07-28 22:42 · Score: 4, Interesting

Found this image on [H]ardOCP: off-road segway

For those of you using lynx: it's a segway with huge spiked tires on a sled hitched to the back of a Hummer H2. Go figure. ;)

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Food for thought.. by GizmoRevenj · 2004-07-28 22:46 · Score: 1, Insightful

Those suckahs would have as much fun playing polo on a pogo stick instead of a 4000$ Segway. I think Segways should be used on golf courses instead.

Re:Food for thought.. by Moraelin · 2004-07-29 01:54 · Score: 1

Except then it wouldn't have been conspicuous consumption. Noone's even supposed to envy your having money to blow on a pogo stick.

Let's face it. That thing isn't practical, isn't useful, isn't even geeky. It's just a case of conspicuous consumption. The only thing it's supposed to do is scream "Look! I can afford to blow thousands on a useless toy!" Same as wearing exotic fur coats, solid gold watches, or such. Only a lot sadder. (A fur coat or a gold watch at least have _some_ use.)

And such stunts as "look! we're even using them to play a sad dumbed-down version of polo!" only serve to scream that to even more people. It's bragging.

And even as mine-is-bigger-than-yours willy-waving goes, I find this to be a very sad version.

When you read soneone's bragging about, say, their overclocking their CPU, there was some user skill involved. Some of those people spent time making their own waterblocks, or whatever.

When you see someone with a huge wing on their car, it's at least supposed to tell you that the owner can drive fast. (In practice it just says they have a small dick, even smaller brains, and a bad case of complexes.)

Whereas this is supposed to say... what? "Look! I'm a spoiled rich brat with too much money!" Sorry, that's nothing I can admire. Skill I can admire. Merely being rich and stupid, nope. No admiration from me there.

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A polar bear is a cartesian bear after a coordinate transform.
Re:Food for thought.. by Hognoxious · 2004-07-29 03:11 · Score: 1

"Same as wearing exotic fur coats, solid gold watches, or such. Only a lot sadder. (A fur coat or a gold watch at least have _some_ use.)"
Like impressing chicks? I'm sure you meant keeping warm & telling the time really.

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Re:Food for thought.. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 06:03 · Score: 0

Not useful? Pfft.

I use my Segway all the time, instead of a car. Shows how much you know.

This won’t last for long by poofyhairguy82 · 2004-07-28 22:47 · Score: 5, Funny

10:00 am Segway Polo game

12:07 pm Mayor bans use of Segways on a Polo field.

Drat, foiled again.

Segway golf would be a more acceptable option.

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Open Source Sushi

Re:This won’t last for long by joe52 · 2004-07-29 00:44 · Score: 2, Informative

Segway golf would be a more acceptable option.

Someone already though of using the thing for golf.
Re:This won’t last for long by nytes · 2004-07-29 06:15 · Score: 1

I'm holding out for Segway jousting!

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Re:This won’t last for long by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:26 · Score: 1

cool, good use for one.

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Obligatory Simpsons Quote by rf0 · 2004-07-28 22:48 · Score: 4, Funny

Kent Brochman: "And that makes the 3rd Segway scooter accident to claim over 1000 lives"

Rus

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Looks fun by Underholdning · 2004-07-28 22:49 · Score: 0, Troll

I just saw the videoclip and it does look kindda fun. And I agree it improves the sport - honestly, polo has always had this gayish image, hasn't it? Now it looks ultra l33t.

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Underholdning.info

Re:Looks fun by Timesprout · 2004-07-28 22:58 · Score: 0, Flamebait

No, it looks stupid and its nothing kids have not tried before on every form of wheeled transportation they have access to.

polo has always had this gayish image, hasn't it?

Only if you define gay as being wealthy enough to play polo. If you can afford 5K for a toy then you probably qualify as gayish.

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Re:Looks fun by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-28 23:44 · Score: 0

I would also have to say it looks like a lot of fun. Fun at a high cost :)
Re:Looks fun by bje2 · 2004-07-29 00:54 · Score: 0

wait...playing polo on seqways is *less* gayish?

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Re:Looks fun by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 01:23 · Score: 0
honestly, polo has always had this gayish image, hasn't it?
Now now, you're confusing "gay" with "English". It's a common American mistake. Here's a summary for you:
- Wears immaculately tailored and pressed clothes, drinks fine wine, talks funny, watches Absolutely Fabulous: English
- Wears immaculately tailored and pressed clothes, drinks fine wine, talks funny, watches Absolutely Fabulous, likes having sex with men: gay
Re:Looks fun by the+chao+goes+mu · 2004-07-29 02:23 · Score: 2

Just what we need, more 'l33t'ness

--
Boys from the City. Not yet caught by the Whirlwind of Progress. Feed soda pop to the thirsty pigs.

point of view... by selderrr · 2004-07-28 22:50 · Score: 3, Insightful

kinda funny : the tone of the register was rather mocking, considering the segway drivers a bunch of rich-asses with to much time on their hands, and the segway a silly, expensive toy that never could deliver what was promised.

On /., it becomes a revolutionary device that makes sports better.

Probably, the submitter intended irony, but failed to convince

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?

Re:point of view... by binux · 2004-07-28 23:31 · Score: 1

Probably, the submitter intended irony, but failed to convince

No. He couldn't have intended irony.
Read this: The final irony
He probably tried sarcasm.
Re:point of view... by ceeam · 2004-07-28 23:32 · Score: 1

Yeah, "That's funny. Laugh" section is really about the serious sports. Oh, they should've placed it to "IT.slashdot.org" I think!!! (Anyone remembers? ;)
Re:point of view... by the_twisted_pair · 2004-07-28 23:35 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's a funny way to revolutionise polo - by making it happen at about 1/4 the speed. Sounds more like hockey-for-teletubbies. Now I've no great interest and haven't played the real thing, but it sure as hell looks fast, brutal and exciting.
If this is 'revolutionising' a sport I think I'll start quarter-miling my old pedal-car.
Re:point of view... by Shisha · 2004-07-28 23:38 · Score: 1

There's an interesting (one month old) article in the Economist about how Segway isn't doing as well as the makers expect.

I'm not one bit surprised. For me the thing is an amazing solution to a non-existent problem. Can someone explain to me how is this better from a bike?

I mean for the price of Segway I can buy the same bike Lance Armstrong rides, or nearly any mountain bike. (actually I just checked the price and Trek 5.9 is slightly more pricey then the Segway). Anyway, I do easily average 20mph when I cycle around London. The Segawy has a top speed of 12mph. Oh yes and my bike does not need recharging.
Re:point of view... by selderrr · 2004-07-28 23:50 · Score: 4, Insightful

Segway isn't oriented towards the same market segment as a bicycle. They deliberately keep the thing expensive to make it a status symbol. If you compare a $100.000 rolex to a $5 plastic watch, you'll find they both display time within an acceptable measure of accuracy. Why do dorks buy a rolex ? Status symbol.

The same holds for ferrari and other luxury cars. Apart from race circuits and some highways in Germany, there are few places in the world where you can do 250mph. Yet they buy these fuel-suckers and pay $20.000 a year in taxes and insurance. Why ? Status symbol.

From this point of view, seqway is doing amazingly well.

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:point of view... by jruschme · 2004-07-29 00:51 · Score: 1

the tone of the register was rather mocking, considering the segway drivers a bunch of rich-asses with to much time on their hands

Which sounds a lot like the traditional view of polo players.

What I thought was interesting was the number of tumbles people were taking off of the Segways, especially considering how much of the design is there to *prevent* that from happening.
Re:point of view... by misterpies · 2004-07-29 02:12 · Score: 3, Insightful

Come on guys, anyone who uses "Segway" and "status symbol" in the same sentence deserves to be modded funny. I can just imagine it now... hordes of Armani-clad, rolex-wearing film stars segwaying down the red carpet at the premier of the next big blockbuster. Or - no, even better - a girl dumping her ferrari-driving boyfriend for that stylish guy with two-wheels and a skating helmet.

Man, what planet are you on? Ferraris and rolexes are status symbols because they ooze style and exclusivity. A Segway is just proof of laziness.

--
The author of this post asserts his moral rights.
Re:point of view... by selderrr · 2004-07-29 02:19 · Score: 1

status symbols exist in all layers of society. African tribesmen have multiple wives as status symbols. Or a cupholder in their underlip. More western, GSMs became status symbol among lowerclass and gradschool students after the elite noticed that it was affordable by everyone.

Overtuning your car with bathtub-sized spoilers & exhausts can cost far more than 5000 and is considered status by some brainfarts where other consider it a sign of underdevelopment. Similarly, the segway is status among some social groups (groups that do not flirt with armani or rolex)

Stop associating status with absolute amounts of money. It's all about how much more your can spend than the rest of your social class.

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:point of view... by selderrr · 2004-07-29 02:37 · Score: 1

Well, you got me going here, and I did some lookups. Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony.

So if it's not irony, it's no sarcasm either :-)

--
When will I end this grieving ? When will my future begin ?
Re:point of view... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:53 · Score: 0

Frankly, I can't think of anything more gay-looking than a field full of San Fransiscans riding Segways around. I wonder how many sissy-boy slap fights break out during the course of a game?
Re:point of view... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:21 · Score: 0

Polo has already been 'revolutionalized' this way, google bike polo, people were polo'ing on bicycles a hundred years ago. Same thing, just older tech.

I bet dollar for dollar the bikes thay had back then cost relatively the same as Segways today. (Course they didn't look near as gay but that's another story).
Re:point of view... by Merk · 2004-07-29 03:23 · Score: 2, Interesting

The difference is, those other status symbols are fancier versions of things that have a purpose. A Ferrari is a car, you can use it the same way you'd use any other car. A Rolex is a watch, you can use it the way you'd use any other watch, (including the Italian Rolexes that the spammers keep trying to sell me (hint Rolex is Swiss)).

A Segway, on the other hand, is not a fancier version of a useful thing. It's a status symbol with no real point. It's kinda neat to look at, and sorta fun to play with, but it's trying to fill a niche which basically doesn't exist.

I think the status symbol the segway is most similar to are those clacking metal beads that were all the rage for executive types a while back. Or they're like robot vacuums, or motorized shoe polishers. They're something that people like to pretend has a purpose, but that is about as good an investment as a lottery ticket.

Look, it's fune if you enjoy spending your money on these things. Just quit trying to convince the rest of us that they're anything more than a silly expensive toy.
Re:point of view... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 04:11 · Score: 0

Honestly, it doesn't look all that slow. People are literally flying off the segways in spills too.
Re:point of view... by dspyder · 2004-07-29 04:52 · Score: 1

Actually, I drive a Ferrari for the absolutely amazing and intoxicating exhaust note it makes at around 8000rpm.

That, and because I always wanted one... so why not...

--D

segway hard to get for Europeans by carnivore302 · 2004-07-28 22:55 · Score: 2, Interesting

I had a hard time getting my own segway. (the p version, the I version costs almost twice as much). Apparently amazon doesn't ship these things outside of the USA. Fortunately, a friend in the US helped out by buying the thing for me (and one for himself I might add) and have it shipped.

You don't want to know what it cost me to have it shipped. (Twice, once from amazon to my friend, and then from my friend to Europe)

I actually thought about setting up a business as a reseller of these things. Fortunately my girlfriend stopped me :-)

Want to know why McDonalds accepts credit cards all of a sudden?

--
Please login to access my lawn

Re:segway hard to get for Europeans by micromoog · 2004-07-29 01:26 · Score: 0

Your article was interesting until I got to the part where you're trying to sell some bullshit garbage, you fucking spammer.
Re:segway hard to get for Europeans by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:28 · Score: 0

Your stupid site hijacks the back button. CUNT!
Re:segway hard to get for Europeans by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:22 · Score: 1

"Want to know why McDonalds accepts credit cards all of a sudden?"

what a crap article.
Thery take it because it makes them more sales. PLain simple economics.
Placing McDonalds in same article does nothing to strengthen there point, but does everything to try and use McDonalds branding to sell there product.

"Yet, in truth, it's not the banks and other card issuers who carry this short-term debt; that burden falls on the 60% of cardholders who roll over their balances each month, by paying interest rates as high as 22%."

no shit. really? the money they get from some customers is used to cover the transaction expence for the people who pay off there credit card within 28 days? jeez, what a bunch of evil bastards.

Next thing you know, the cleaning of carpets in resturants will be added into the cost of doing business, and passed onto the consumer.

I am notr a fan of McDonalds, but please think before finding some issue to get concerned about.

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Unicycle hockey by oojah · 2004-07-28 22:55 · Score: 4, Interesting

Call me fussy, but I'd prefer unicycle hockey over that any day.

Unicycle hockey is much faster and more agile than that. There is an advantage in that you have both hands free for holding the stick which serves to make it less awkward looking.

Cheers,

Roger

--
Do you have any better hostages?

Re:Unicycle hockey by AaronStJ · 2004-07-29 06:06 · Score: 1

Holy crap. It's real.

--
Stupid like a fox!
Re:Unicycle hockey by weiyuent · 2004-07-29 06:28 · Score: 1

Unless you're deliberately trying to sound snooty (even if sarcastically), then you're missing the point of the Segway: it requires NO SPECIAL SKILL on the part of the rider to operate. It functions according to your normal balancing instincts. A unicyle takes considerable practice to ride safely just in a straight line, let alone while playing polo.
Re:Unicycle hockey by oojah · 2004-07-29 06:45 · Score: 1

No I wasn't trying to sound snooty at all. I just think that it doesn't look half as much fun as unicycle hockey.

It's just a good excuse to say "unicycling is great" I guess :)

Cheers,

Roger

--
Do you have any better hostages?
Re:Unicycle hockey by oojah · 2004-07-29 06:56 · Score: 1

You mean you didn't believe me? :)

Unicycling is great. Think a combination of skateboarding, bmx, mountain biking and just generally good stuff.

Mountain unicycling exists, people compete in mountain biking events on unicycles. (See Moonride and Moonride pics for an example (I just googled for that and know nothing about it))

Trials is very big as well. This video is from the British Unicycle Convention this year.

Some other silliness:

On cliff, then off the cliff and a jump

If you're just going to look at one thing from this comment though, look at this one: http://www.sykoproductions.com/U2trailer.mov

Enjoy!

Roger

(none of that is me by the way - I wish!)

--
Do you have any better hostages?

Duration of a game ? by vi+(editor) · 2004-07-28 22:55 · Score: 2

Is the segway battery strong enough for a entire game of polo ?

Life imitates art... by Drasil · 2004-07-28 22:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

Sound familiar?

Reading the whole book is recommended, but for those that don't...

"Strange," mused the Director, as they turned away, "strange to think that even in Our Ford's day most games were played without more apparatus than a ball or two and a few sticks and perhaps a bit of netting. imagine the folly of allowing people to play elaborate games which do nothing whatever to increase consumption. It's madness. Nowadays the Controllers won't approve of any new game unless it can be shown that it requires at least as much apparatus as the most complicated of existing games." He interrupted himself.

Segway Lawnmower by Datagod · 2004-07-28 22:57 · Score: 2, Interesting

I am waiting for the lawnmower version, like those old push mowers. Now that would be cool!

Re: motor bike better for urban transport by nusratt · 2004-07-28 22:59 · Score: 2, Funny

"Segways cost about $5,000 USD at that price a small car or motor bike is a much better bet for urban transport."

yes, but can you use them to play slacker lawn polo and get a cool video posted on slashdot?
where are your priorities?

I Guess They'll Be Playing On Grass .... by Mad+Martigan · 2004-07-28 22:59 · Score: 1

Seeing as how Segways are Banned from San Francisco's sidewalks and bike paths (and, presumably, aren't allowed on the open road), I guess they won't be playing any 'street' polo. I wonder how these things perform on grass.

I also wonder if this will or won't reinforce the stereotype of polo as a sport for the rich elite. Segways are a lot cheaper than a horse, but even some poorer folks have horses, while a $5,000 electronic gizmo seems a lot more like an expensive toy. Hmm.

--
... turning to the 3-D map, we see an unmistakable con

Dangerous vehicle by TuringTest · 2004-07-28 22:59 · Score: 1

How many times do those guys fall from their segways? What is the maximum speed of this vehicle? I think it could be very painful and injure-prone to drive one of those on a street as it is intended.

--
Singularity: a belief in the "God" idea with the "demiurge" relation inverted.

Re:Dangerous vehicle by Neophytus · 2004-07-28 23:21 · Score: 1

The only reason they're falling is because of the funny manouvres they're trying to pull.
Re:Dangerous vehicle by vidarh · 2004-07-29 02:26 · Score: 1

Try getting a group together to do the same maneuvers on a bike, a scooter or on rollerblades and see how many of them manage to avoid falling a few times. I think it could be very painful and injure-prone to use one of those on a street as it is intended.
That doesn't mean that they have to be particularly dangerous if you ride normally instead of racing around swinging a large mallet in various directions.
So what was your point again>

Re: motor bike better for urban transport by Mr_Dyqik · 2004-07-28 23:01 · Score: 1

I'm sure you can play polo on a scooter. You can play it on BMXs after all (as Jackass have proven).

This parody still cracks me up... by bje2 · 2004-07-28 23:08 · Score: 4, Funny

...years later, this is still funny...the best part is the movie...

--

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true." - Homer Simpson

Re:This parody still cracks me up... by Hein_or_Henk · 2004-07-28 23:38 · Score: 1

Ha Ha Ha! But shouldn't that have been Smegway?

--
-- This message was made with 100% recycled electrons.
Re:This parody still cracks me up... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-28 23:47 · Score: 0

No, its Megway because the name of the device is Megan. And best part about it is that it gives good blowjobs too.

You gotta what? by B1ackDragon · 2004-07-28 23:14 · Score: 2, Funny

You have a girlfriend AND a segway!?

... Can I be your friend?

--
The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. -- ee cummings

Re:You gotta what? by carnivore302 · 2004-07-28 23:58 · Score: 0

You're now officially my slashdot friend :-)

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Please login to access my lawn

Think of the consequences! by unorthod0x · 2004-07-28 23:17 · Score: 1

Stuff that matters: Will the system be able to support a surge of spoiled equines used to a pampered lifestyle who now have no where to go? Will the medical profession be able to survive in the face of declining patients? Will they still serve tea and crumpets at Polo matches or will it now be Zima and Pop Tarts? OH THE HUMANITY!

I thought you can't fall off. by johnnliu · 2004-07-28 23:23 · Score: 2, Interesting

I was under the impression that you can't fall off from a Segway.

At least 2 guys fell off in the movie clip!

I also note the helmet, although I can't decide whether it was to protect them from being RAN OVER by a Segway (be it their own, or their friend's), or from the evil looking mallets they were swinging with menace.

Re:I thought you can't fall off. by StarfishOne · 2004-07-29 00:33 · Score: 1

And I just kept hearing that Unreal Tournament voice saying "Man down!" in my head :O
Re:I thought you can't fall off. by YrWrstNtmr · 2004-07-29 00:58 · Score: 1

I was under the impression that you can't fall off from a Segway.

1. Get up to full speed
2. Without slowing, hit something too tall to bump over and too solid to give.
3. Pick the bits of gravel out of your face.

As magical as the Seg is, it still adheres to the laws of physics. The motors and gyros aren't strong or fast enough to stop a 6' long, 200lb lever arm at full speed.

Mirror by PhilHibbs · 2004-07-28 23:23 · Score: 1, Informative

Mirror

Re:Mirror by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 00:07 · Score: 0

What a great mirror you got there pal.
Re:Mirror by PhilHibbs · 2004-07-29 23:26 · Score: 1

What a great mirror you got there pal.
Yes, I fubared. Sorry. Mod me down.

I Smell Conspiracy by dachadster · 2004-07-28 23:24 · Score: 0

Everyone knows that the reason it didn't take off is because Bush fell from it in a conspiratorial attempt to close down jobs in America! (I kid, I kid. ;) )

The Sport of the Future by gunnmjk · 2004-07-28 23:27 · Score: 0

Sports on Segways are going to be the next BIG THING. Just wait, we'll be cheering Segway baseball, Segway basketball, and Segway football with the cutest Segway cheerleaders in no time!

At least, that's what the networks are going to be putting on TV. XFL anybody?

i'll stick with simple nature thanks. by SubtleNuance · 2004-07-28 23:32 · Score: 0

on an example of how technology is making sports better

Really. Segway polo is little more than rich kids playing with expensive toys. Like cross-country porsche races, the idea that this is a 'sport' and not simply a rich-person's distraction is tenable.

At least using horses dosnt require the mining of heavy minerals, releases of off-gases at plastic plants, and no assembly is required. Replacing a piece nature with a pile of expensive kit is not exactly an improvment.

This is almost as good as people suggesting that the $?k segway belongs on sidewalks because walking was not good enough.

Re:i'll stick with simple nature thanks. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:40 · Score: 0

On minute you say:
Segway polo is little more than rich kids playing with expensive toys.
Then the next it's:
the idea that this is a 'sport' and not simply a rich-person's distraction is tenable.
Make your fucking mind up already.

Peter Gabriel on a Segway by Lol+the+unbeliever · 2004-07-28 23:33 · Score: 1

Segway also revolutionised the Peter Gabriel concert I saw last week: he sang one song while riding on a Segway (both him and the main woman singer were rolling around the stage on their Segways) I guess Segways are sort-of-OK stage props.
I liked the Texas concert better!

Re:Peter Gabriel on a Segway by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:48 · Score: 0

he sang one song while riding on a Segway
I preferred Bette Midler wearing a fish costume in a wheelchair.

I've been doing this on bikes for years by thaddjuice · 2004-07-28 23:43 · Score: 2, Interesting

In high school my friends and I got bored and decided to start playing bike polo.

Materials required: Croquet mallet, Broomstick, Softball, Bike, Field.

Slap the broomstick onto the mallet head, grab some friends and find a field. Set up goals and start playing. The only rules are that you can't put your feet down unless you fall and you can't use your mallet to balance. Hours of fun for far less than the cost of a segway.

--
Find me in ~/.sig

The start of something new? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-28 23:47 · Score: 0

Could this be the beginnings of robotic assisted sport some time into the future? And no, I am not smoking crack or any other variant...

Re:This won't last for long by Dizzle · 2004-07-28 23:48 · Score: 2, Funny

But then again, how far can you drive a ball with a segway? Wouldn't standard clubs work better?

--
-Dizzle
"I most likely AM so interested in myself."

Expensive... by Isldeur · 2004-07-28 23:49 · Score: 1, Funny

O.k., so a segway is very expensive.

But in fairness (because this looks silly), it's a whole lot less expensive than 4 polo ponies....

or Diary of the first segway owner. by gad_zuki! · 2004-07-28 23:51 · Score: 5, Funny

Here.

Full text for the lazy:

8:30am

I checked the voltmeter and it looks like it charged up nicely overnight. I haven't worn kneepads or a helmet in ages, they make me feel kind of awkward. After waving goodbye to my wife I'm off to work which is about six miles from here. I can't wait, this thing is so cool. I feel ten years younger.

8:45am

Holy shit, where did all these kids come from? I thought the district bussed them to school. I can't ride on the street because everyone keeps yelling for me to go faster and I can barely maneuver the sidewalk with all these kids. Someone just called me "Spaceman." I thought kids loved technology. Sorry to the girl I knocked over, but in all fairness I did yell, "heads up!"

9:08am

Okay I'm officially late for work now, but I did find a bike lane. What's with this town? I thought all the granola-loving bikers forced the city to put bike lanes on every street. There's maybe a mile's worth from my place to downtown. The bikers were pretty nice. One man said to the rest, "Let the dude on the rascal get through." I don't know what a rascal is, but they did let me get through.

9:19am

Holy fuck is downtown packed and no one is letting me through. The way I tip cabs around here you'd think they would let ride on the side of the lane. The doorman at my building yelled at the crowd to let the "handicapped guy" through. I was going to correct him, but they were already letting me past. I did get to ride up the handicap ramp and park in the building. Now I need an AC outlet. This trip nearly drained the battery.

9:22am

I'm not the fittest guy in the world but they need to make these things a little lighter. You drag a 70lbs Segway up the stairs and tell me how your back feels.

12:04pm

I'm taking my Ginger, I mean my Segway, to lunch. I tried to get a co-worker to ride with me, but we fell and nearly broke our necks. I hope no one tells my wife that my hand got caught up in Jane's skirt as we were trying to get up. She didn't say anything and I think she really didn't notice. A guy on one of those old time italian scooters yelled, "yuppie" at me and disappeared into traffic. Real mature.

12:12pm

I had to ride all the way to that bike store in the Village to pick up an extra-long Kryptonite lock. Looks like the "no bikes" sign applies to the Segway as well in restaurants. I barely have enough time to stop and get a sandwich before getting back to work. I have to call my lunchmates and tell them I didn't get into an accident. If I keep yelling, "Beep, beep coming through" every block I can actually make some time. This thing really needs a horn.

5:15pm

A cop called me over from the bike lane and told me unless I have a handicap permit I'm going to have to get motorcycle plates and a city sticker for this. He let me go this time, but he said if he sees me again mucking up traffic on my "razor scooter" I'm going to get arrested. I ran over a really big guy's toes pulling into the bike lane. He was really pissed. Four more people called me "Spaceman" on the way home. At least the doorman didn't call me handicapped again.

5:55pm

I'm home and I came this close to hosing off the dog crap on the wheels before I saw the electric shock warning sticker. The first thing my wife told me as I pulled into the garage is that I look and smell like shit.

6:15pm

I just called and the Shaper Image won't take returns. Great. I gotta get some good pictures of this thing for ebay. My 14-year old is gonna use it to get to her Lacrosse practices until I can sell it. I overheard her call it an "electric ass-mover." Her friend responded by saying, "Oh, that geekmobile thingy your dad dropped three grand on?"

A polo horse costs about the same... by CustomDesigned · 2004-07-28 23:51 · Score: 2, Insightful

as a Segway. The Segway is cheaper to maintain. The polo field is easier to clean up with the Segway, but requires additional fertilization.

Revolution in polo... by chattycathy · 2004-07-28 23:54 · Score: 3, Insightful

Doesn't the fact that 'revolutionizes polo' is in the topic let us know that it's useless? I mean if that's the best you have...

At least horses can do other tricks. They're darn pretty, too.

--
I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!

Re:Revolution in polo... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:14 · Score: 0

chattycathy writes At least horses can do other tricks. They're darn pretty, too. i know a very nice story about girls and horses ... but it ususally ends with a loud "fuck-off, u pervert!" .. therefore, i wont tell it here

Feet are your friends by houseofmore · 2004-07-28 23:55 · Score: 1

The good old US of A is one of the Fattest countries in the world. This is about the last thing it needs.

Bogus by Oligonicella · 2004-07-29 00:12 · Score: 1

Once it's obvious that someone has hyped the hell out of a worthless product, why can't everyone just let die the horrible death it should?

This thing is a scam that is dragging on waaay too long.

Bicycle hockey by RPI+Geek · 2004-07-29 00:17 · Score: 2, Interesting

I used to play what we termed "bike polo" with a bunch of guys who, for the most part, worked at a local bike shop. The rules were: you had to have a girls' bike frame (very low top tube) that was 18" or smaller, a banana seat, & the biggest handlebars you could find. You used a hockey stick to hit a lacrosse ball around a parking lot into the other team's net. Fair play to jam your hockey stick into an opponenet's spokes, fair play to check the ball carrier, no time outs. You couldn't score from the grass around the lot, but the ball was still in play.

The games usually ended when there was only one or 2 people on each team, and keep in mind that the people who played were between about 16 and 40, so they didn't fit on the bikes very well. It was so much fun to watch.

--

- "Nobody came out that night, not one was ever seen. But Old Man Stauf is waiting there, crazy sick and mean!"

Actually, its been there by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 00:17 · Score: 0

User Tech did an article about the segway in their March 2004 issue.

Pretty good read.

Segway surfing by adrianoc · 2004-07-29 00:18 · Score: 1

I wonder if they work in the water....Segway surfing would be the next big thing.

Re:Segway surfing by Spatula+Sam · 2004-07-29 03:37 · Score: 1

No, while they are water resistant, so they:re okay in the rain, but they are certainly not waterproof. You would have a bunch of broken segways. It might even be dangerous.

interesting by jdkane · 2004-07-29 00:37 · Score: 1, Funny

from a link in the story we get to this little gem:

The Segwaychat.com outpost has collected some of the world's finest, spoiled children. To their credit, one member of the group did work in conjunction with the NYPD to return the stolen Segway to its owner. Sadly, this achievement has given rise to a nonsensical glob-fest full of talk about shafts, the Segway's finer points and even capital punishment for scooter thieves.

Is it just me, or does this remind anybody of another popular forum? ;)

Had to be said. Okay now, so let's see how far I get trolling here ...

Re:Segways also revolutionizing off-roading appare by OhHellWithIt · 2004-07-29 00:39 · Score: 1

For those of you using lynx: it's a segway with huge spiked tires on a sled hitched to the back of a Hummer H2. Go figure. ;)

I could get into that concept if you would take away the sled.

--
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past." -- George Orwell

Game idea by HangingChad · 2004-07-29 00:49 · Score: 1

Seems like the batteries would run out pretty fast.

I had an idea to mount paintball guns on bicycles and make up a kind of bike dogfight game. That would be fun.

--
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage

Making sports BETTER? What the hell? by rubberband · 2004-07-29 00:49 · Score: 1

Silly me, I though the point of sport was physical activity. How exactly does taking a sport of speed skill and serious balls (ever seen polo live? It's scary to WATCH, let alone contemplate playing) and reducing it to standing on a glorified remote control car an improvement? The fact that a large quantity of people consider this to be a good idea probably says more about the generally poor physical fitness in N. America vs the world than diet, anyhow. Go kick around a soccer ball. Play tennis. Play basketball, hocky, ultimate, go for a rollerblade or bike ride or jog or hell.. walk somewhere. Please don't call riding a segway around a sport though. It's the fitness version of getting IE to run natively on linux and calling is making it better. yuck.

Why do we care? by superdan2k · 2004-07-29 00:53 · Score: 1

I mean, honestly...what's the big deal with Segways? They're nothing more than mopeds with an odd wheel-alignment. And their name seems to be a misspelling of Sewgay.

And it's funny how desperate their owners are for attention. I was standing on a corner in Minneapolis and there was this guy next to me (on the sidewalk!), and he says to me, "Hey, man cool iPod."

"Thanks man. Geigh Segway you've got there."

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blog |

Oh, the Segway. by dave-tx · 2004-07-29 01:05 · Score: 1

I've been unable to look at a Segway without laughing thanks to GOB on Arrested Development.

http://www.fox.com/arresteddev/index.htm

--

>> "What would the robut do? Frame someone!"

but they use "rare-earth" metals by l4m3z0r · 2004-07-29 01:14 · Score: 1

"The magnets are constructed of an incredibly powerful rare-earth material: neodymium-iron-boron."

Found that in this description of the pSeries model.

Although "rare" hardly means rare when it comes to talking about "rare-earth metals". Since rare-earth means any element of the lanthanide series. But something could be both rare and rare-earth.

Re:but they use "rare-earth" metals by khrtt · 2004-07-29 02:33 · Score: 1

Those would be speaker magnets:-) Besides, a motor is a motor, and doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg.

Than, again, even if it was cheap, it would still run on a battery. And a battery is a battery - heavy and never has enough juice to get where you want to go.

Re:Segways also revolutionizing off-roading appare by HazE_nMe · 2004-07-29 01:21 · Score: 1

I don't think that is a sled it is on. I think that is similar to a wheelchair carrier that hooks up to the hitch on a truck. I'm pretty sure it is off the ground.

A horse caost about $7000 a year to maintain by peter303 · 2004-07-29 01:22 · Score: 1

AllAboutHorses.com suggests the average annual cost of a horse is $7160. The breakdown is $1000 for feed, $2160 for bedding, vet bills, and other supplies, and $3600 for boarding. This does not include the ammortized cost of purchasing the horse.

Been there, done that also... by the_twisted_pair · 2004-07-29 01:22 · Score: 1

..and recommend it. Lots of motor skills required. Also tried playing croquet the same way, which is delightfully chaotic if a little hard on the lawn. Pints and pints of Pimms No.1 involved in the latter variant, of course...

Hooray. by WebMasterJoe · 2004-07-29 01:24 · Score: 1

Wonderful. Polo used to be snooty sport that only the wealthy could play (or even watch), but hey, now this "elite" sport has been opened to the masses! Anyone with a personal transport machine thing can now be part of this exclusive world!

Sarcasm aside, I swore off polo forever when I was working at a college, for very low pay, and paying high tuition, and I realized how much my college was spending on fundraising events (including a polo match featured in the school's high-gloss alumni magazine), and they gave the students and staff next to nothing. I've mentally associated polo with the type of people at that school who only cared about the donors, not the students.

Seeing segway owners play polo doesn't really conflict with the association, either.

--
I really hate signatures, but go to my website.

My take on the Segway by mabu · 2004-07-29 01:25 · Score: 5, Insightful

It's just my opinion, but I think the Segway is a great metaphor for the 21st century American. Its introduction was preceeded by a plethora of sensationalism about how it was going to "change the world", and then it turned out to be only mildly interesting, yet profoundly impractical, expensive, buggy and high maintenance. This of course, didn't stop some people from plunking down five grand for this vanity-driven embarassement of a vehicle, who now desperately seek to find realistic use or justification for their decision.

The Segway epitomizes the concept of the consumer economy, not unlike the Hummer. A piece of vanity equipment whose ultimate underlying purpose is to project the owner's own sense of insecurity upon others.

This is the legacy of the baby boomers in America. In their quest to prove to others (as well as themselves) that money and materialism = happiness, they've perfected this growing trend of high-end vanity-oriented accessories. I hope it works out for 'em.

Re:My take on the Segway by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:47 · Score: 0

I might be wrong, but you don't sound American.

I just wanted you to know that there are many in America that completely agree with you and are looking on in disgust as the world around us is becoming polluted with these "high-end vanity-oriented accessories." I hate them and more and more want to move out to some unpopulated area...

I also fear that, as Americans try to Westernize everyone, eventually the entire planet will have this mentallity as it sucks the last remaining resources out of the ground under its feet.
Re:My take on the Segway by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 04:40 · Score: 0

You should also be concerned about America (as an idea or ideology) losing the moral high ground.

The rest of the planet has lots of folks short on food and other such items and etc.

This kind of thoughtless use of technology does not make other peoples look up to and admire the American way, yes they see and covet, in some cases, the material wealth but they do not see better people and that's a big problem.

They see a people fiddling while Rome burns, they see the idle rich amusing themselves with trivialities while others fail to survive.
Re:My take on the Segway by tibman · 2004-07-29 11:54 · Score: 1

Civilian HMMWVs are stupid. You can get a REAL one from an army auction and fix it up. It makes for a good hobby. Usually they go for around $9,000.

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http://soylentnews.org/~tibman
Re:My take on the Segway by mabu · 2004-07-29 14:20 · Score: 1

You should also be concerned about America (as an idea or ideology) losing the moral high ground.

The rest of the planet has lots of folks short on food and other such items and etc.

This kind of thoughtless use of technology does not make other peoples look up to and admire the American way, yes they see and covet, in some cases, the material wealth but they do not see better people and that's a big problem.

They see a people fiddling while Rome burns, they see the idle rich amusing themselves with trivialities while others fail to survive.

I agree with you. The irony is that whatever entertainment, productive contribution, symbolic gesture, satisfaction or enjoyment could be obtained from acquiring a segway probably pales in comparison with what that $3000-$5000 could do if diverted to less-fortune people or a more productive outlet. But in America it's taboo to suggest such things these days.
Re:My take on the Segway by mabu · 2004-07-29 14:26 · Score: 1

I might be wrong, but you don't sound American.

I just wanted you to know that there are many in America that completely agree with you and are looking on in disgust as the world around us is becoming polluted with these "high-end vanity-oriented accessories." I hate them and more and more want to move out to some unpopulated area...

Wow... what's funny is I am American. But I guess subconciously I feel so detached from "The American Way(tm) as-seen-on-TV" that I've taken to referring to my own nationality in the third person.

Pretty pathetic, yet revealing huh?

Maybe after November I'll start saying "us" instead of America, but not until I feel like I'm part of a nation instead of an embarassing collection of commercial interests that have used mass media to sedate the populace into apathy and self absortion.

LARP'ers go segway ? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 01:38 · Score: 0

Let's see..
Chinzy "tool" made out of PVC .. Check.
Lots of padding/foam/insulation .. Check.
Held together with lots of duct tape .. Check.
Running around hitting things with said "tool".. Check.
Sport inhabited by wierdos, freaks, and geeks.. Check.

Ladies and gentleman of the jury, those are the facts.

Re:Segways also revolutionizing off-roading appare by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 01:40 · Score: 0

SOMEBODY has too damn much money.

Segway designed and built in a week by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 01:42 · Score: 0

The price of the Segway is meant to reflect the price of development. However, did you follow the link on the bayarea segway users to the story about the guy that designed and built a working Segway
clone in a week?

http://www.bayareaseg.com/video/segway.wmv

Re:Making sports BETTER? What the hell? by Moraelin · 2004-07-29 01:43 · Score: 1

"The fact that a large quantity of people consider this to be a good idea probably says more about the generally poor physical fitness in N. America vs the world than diet, anyhow."

Erm. Even if you look in this thread alone, you'll see that most posts are basically rehashes of "Yuck. It's a stupid rich-boy's toy." It's also the topic with the least number of posts I've seen on /. on the front page in quite some time.

And bear in mind that us /. people are usually terminal nerds, and easily excited by high tech toys. Normally you could pretty much take any stupidity, make it electronic, expensive and impractical (and preferrably put something running Linux in it too), and /.ters would be drawn to it like cats to a catnip mouse. Yet even here you don't see many people excited by the Segway.

And in the real world, you didn't see massive protests against forbidding Segways on walkways.

So exactly how does it translate into "a large quantity of people consider this to be a good idea"? How's it justifying a sweeping generalization about Americans? Seems to me like, most probably, if you took a bunch of average Americans and asked them about the Segway, you'd get the same "it's a stupid rich-boy's toy" answer as anywhere else in the world.

And no, I'm not even American.

--
A polar bear is a cartesian bear after a coordinate transform.

Re:a breakthrough... by Eccles · 2004-07-29 01:47 · Score: 2, Funny

And just the other day I was wondering if it were possible for Segway users to look even more r[i]diculous...

You know bicycle pants? Just wait until you see the new Segway clothing...

--
Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.

Forgotten Dubya? by pjt33 · 2004-07-29 01:47 · Score: 1

Bush fails the Segway test was the BBC headline.

Re:Forgotten Dubya? by acidrain69 · 2004-07-29 03:08 · Score: 1

The best part of that article is how they say Den Kamen wants to see soldiers riding them into battle. That is hilarious. I think Dean is just trying to dip into the huge well-o-defense-funds, regardless of wether his product actually provides a benefit.

Personally, I think it's a very geeky, cool, and useless toy that is vastly overpriced, and while the prices WILL come down, I still don't see it replacing a bike. I'd rather spend $1000 for an awesome bike than $5000 for a mediocre segway that maxes at 12-15 mph and has to be recharged all the time.

--
-- Having a Creationist Museum is like having an Atheist place of worship

Time to patent? by smaug195 · 2004-07-29 01:49 · Score: 1

It's Polo... but not on horses... ON SEGWAYS

For crying out loud...

Soccer too by l00sr · 2004-07-29 01:54 · Score: 2, Informative

Segway soccer is looking to become the newest Robocup league. Though it sounds a little silly, it is significant in that it will be the first Robocup league to feature competition between humans and robots, which brings Robocup a little closer to its goal of having a humanoid team that can beat the World Cup team by 2050.

Aussie Rules Polo by Tackhead · 2004-07-29 02:10 · Score: 1

> Is the segway battery strong enough for a entire game of polo ?

In Aussie Rules Segway Polo, the upright portion of the Segway constitutes the handle of the mallet, and the cylinder whose base is formed by the wheels of the Segway constitutes the head of the mallet.

And then you just drink a lot of beer, grab your Segways, and start clubbing the hell out of whatever poor bastard's closest to the ball. WTF else are you gonna do with a Segway?

Not to mention EXERCISE... by SPYvSPY · 2004-07-29 02:23 · Score: 1

...and hand-eye coordination.

Polo is... by krujos · 2004-07-29 02:24 · Score: 1

not as cool without the horse and mimosa.

Re:This won't last for long by vidarh · 2004-07-29 02:31 · Score: 1

I'd expect the batteries to last long enough to let you drive the ball much further than if you used clubs :)

Do they levitate yet? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:38 · Score: 0

Let me know when they do, and then I'll get excited.

So, I should buy a segway to play polo with... by Project2501a · 2004-07-29 02:48 · Score: 1

because horses are more expensive and they require food...

because I am filthy ritch and the arabian horses I keep in the stable in my mansion are just not geeky enough...

Right. Anybody asks for me, I'll be in the dojo

P.S.
[Obligatory jokes]
"Pappa, pappa! I don't want a pony to play polo with! I want a Segway! All the other kids have it!"

CowboyNeal playing polo on a segway O_o

CowboyNeal playing polo on a segway, but using the polo stick on the other players, instead of on the ball (Horray! \o/).

I, for one, welcome CowboyNeal and his head-busting polo stick.

In Soviet Russia, the [stick|segway] plays polo with you!

[Obligatory jokes /]

[Obligatory references]
When I was a geek child, I spoke like a child, i felt like a geek child and I thought like a geek child. But now that I am a full-blown geek, I left my childish ways, and got a segway...
[Obligatory references /]

Did I miss something? oh, yeah, First post!

MY FIRST OWN POST, YOU INSENSITIVE CLOD!

--
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Did author of FA read TFA on "The Register"? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 02:52 · Score: 0

"The Register is carrying a story on an example of how technology is making sports better"

No it isn't. It's carrying an article taking the piss out of Sogays^H Segways and people who own them.

Nerf Sword Fighting by Dan667 · 2004-07-29 02:57 · Score: 1

This reminds me of some guys in Austin Texas that like to go to a park on Saturdays, dress the part of geek knights, and hit each other with nerf swords.

Horses Trample Segway team to death? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:00 · Score: 0

Well,
That Segway team vs. horses wouldn't be much of a contest, now would it?

Horses are Better for polo,
except water polo,
they kept drowning...

(And the Water Segway team just shorted out...)

Segway is useful... by Lodragandraoidh · 2004-07-29 03:00 · Score: 2, Informative

I was recently in Washington DC on vacation, and noticed segways running around the capital on several occaisions.

After three days of walking to all the museums and monuments, I would have given my first born for a Segway...

--

Lodragan Draoidh
The more you explain it, the more I don't understand it. - Mark Twain

Re: motor bike better for urban transport by Hognoxious · 2004-07-29 03:07 · Score: 1

I'm sure you can play polo on a scooter. You can play it on BMXs after all (as Jackass have proven).

You can play it on foot, too. It's quite popular in the UK & Europe. For some reason they use a smaller ball and instead of the mallet, they use kind of an inverted walking stick.

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."

Oh Please by Dust'-_-'Worm · 2004-07-29 03:14 · Score: 1

This looks like lazy (rich) people that are again too lazy to walk on their feet and kick the ball. So Sad.

Not gyros by baywulf · 2004-07-29 03:18 · Score: 1

They don't use gyros... they use solid state accelerometers. These are not as expensive as you think.

Segway PaintBall Rocks! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:18 · Score: 0

Not quite as fun as an UT2004 Raptor dive,
but Segway Paintball would be cool...

Re:Troll? by Hognoxious · 2004-07-29 03:21 · Score: 1

stupid mods.

You must be off your rocker! Mods ride proper scooters

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."

Does this remind you of jackass by Murf_E · 2004-07-29 03:25 · Score: 1

Someone call Jonny Knoxville there is another stupid sport he can try

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this sig intentionally left blank

What's the music? by donbrock · 2004-07-29 03:28 · Score: 1

Forget the Segway, what is that great sound track? Anyone know?

--
The Truth About Slashdot

Re:What's the music? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 04:04 · Score: 0

History Repeating by the Propellerheads

Standing straight up? by Merk · 2004-07-29 03:28 · Score: 2, Insightful

I would imagine that the whole "entering battle standing straight up on something that lifts you 1/4 metre up into the air" might be a bit of a drawback too.

I'm no military expert, but I would assume that a device that makes you a *bigger* target might be a drawback when people are shooting at you.

Re:Standing straight up? by freqres · 2004-07-29 04:31 · Score: 1

But how could the enemy shoot at the segway riding soldiers when they are bent over and laughing so hard they get stomach cramps. Sounds like a pretty sound strategy to me.

--
Rampant Ninja related crimes these days...Whitehouse is not the exception
Re:Standing straight up? by ahknight · 2004-07-30 16:28 · Score: 1

Sounds like a cheaper alternative would be a transvestite brigade. Drop in a few hundred of 'em and they'd just take over.

/|\ turing test by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:31 · Score: 0

You FAIL IT!!!!!!!!!!!

First Segway Accident Reported. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:41 · Score: 0

Over 15,000 people have been killed in the first ever Segway traffic accident. More at eleven.

I think... by JOstrow · 2004-07-29 03:43 · Score: 1

...Maddox summed it up nicely:

http://maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=segway_more_com plicated_than_it_needs_to_be

Re:I think... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:52 · Score: 0

Oh come on, mod parent up, this breaks the congnitive dissonance spell, let's me quit reading the thread, and get back to work!

Masturbatory Ignorance by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 03:45 · Score: 0

Would it be possible for these guys to do anything less productive, less meaningful, or more self-serving in a sad little way with their time and money? Guess which of the two Americas this little circle-jerk of privilege belongs to?

Polo by ethx1 · 2004-07-29 03:48 · Score: 1

Once again Polo has become a sport for the super rich. ;)

Re: motor bike better for urban transport by rikkards · 2004-07-29 03:55 · Score: 1

They play it in North America but is a bit more different the walking stick is a little longer on the bottom and flat. There are nets at each end of the playing area. I think they call it Street Hockey :)

Heh Heh by _Potter_PLNU_ · 2004-07-29 04:03 · Score: 1

Finally, God has smiled down upon us and blessed us with a gift. That gift is the sight of something friggin' hilarious.

I always thought those things were a waste of resources. Now, they are at least good for a laugh.

--
"Hard work never killed anyone." -- Some Dead Guy

At least the MOV has good music by aardwolf204 · 2004-07-29 04:26 · Score: 1

At least they got the music right, Shirley Basey rocks. Check out the Radio Head remix of History Repeating.

Mods, this is Insightristing, not funny

--
Im dreaming ofa big bndwdth, That can resist the /.crowd.May ur days b merry & bright & may al

Surprised at tone of this thread by mattr · 2004-07-29 04:39 · Score: 1

Wow, I must have missed a few heavy memes this year. I thought the Segway was mainly for industrial use since still expensive, heavier duty for e.g. postmen, and biggest problem being ordinances. Dean Kamen invented a wheelchair that goes up and down stairs didn't he? He isn't a panderer to burgeoisie, I think polo is just one of the things people will try to use these things for when they are cheap enough. The quotes here make it sound like an idiocy but the only dumb thing sounds to me using it in an urban landscape not designed for it, hurting people with the callousness of your need to write an article, etc. Next you'll tell us the White Knight is just going to be an expensive elevator for rich dudes to the zero-g sex park in the sky. Come on people! The neat thing isn't the parts it is the balancing and gyro all beautifully integrated together, a new IT-enabled way for humans to move. Is anyone reputable saying it's a failure?

Faster than bike in some cases by SuperKendall · 2004-07-29 04:40 · Score: 1

I would buy one at around the $2k mark.

The thing that makes it more appealing than a bike is that it is MUCH faster if you have many hills in the way as you can still maintain about 10-12MPH, and even if you don't have hills it's not much slower.

Plus, you have the benfit that you do not exert yourself quite as much so you'll probably not need a shower when you get where you're going. It does take more effort than you'd think though.

Basically, look for these thing to explode in popularity when they get under $2k.

As for heavyness, it's actually not at all heavy in the sense that it has a self-powered mode where you can tell it to move forward or back when not standing on it and so can wheel it into elevators or up over curbs. So You wouldn't have to lift it except to put the unit in a car (which in theory you would not need much).

One last benefit - I'm pretty sure it's much less easy to crash, especially wiht any kind of load. I'm not sure why you think the Segway has less carrying capacity than a bike, I've biked with a full pack on before and while it works it's kind of precarious. And you do do the same thing on a Segway.

--
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley

Re:Faster than bike in some cases by dustinbarbour · 2004-07-29 04:53 · Score: 2, Informative

A bike can certainly carry a heavier load than a Segway. It's all about where you place the load, my friend. Your back, one of the higher spots on the bike, is NOT a good place to put it. Saddle bags, luggage racks over the front and rear wheels and, perhaps, something over the handle bars would be a bit more effective that trying to balanace a fully loaded pack on your back whilst bicycling.

--
What is your penile percentile?
Re:Faster than bike in some cases by nanter · 2004-07-29 05:00 · Score: 1

It's not all too difficult to maintain 10-12 MPH on hills on a bicycle, provided you have a reasonable level of cardiovascular conditioning. And downhills can be done significantly faster - 25-30MPH on a reasonable gradient.
Re:Faster than bike in some cases by NotZed · 2004-07-29 18:16 · Score: 1

10-12mph? Uh, so 16-20Km/h. I wouldn't hit below 16Km/h on all but the steepest hills, and can sit on 25-30 for hours on mixed terrain without too much effort. I don't see 16Km/h being much faster than 30, or even 20, and i'm no athelete. For $US2K I could get a pretty sweet bike, or even two very decent ones.
You're also forgetting the exercise. Exercise, walking, cycling, makes you feel good, as well as being good for you. The exertion is good for you. Humans are designed to undertake arduous physical tasks, if they don't then they don't operate properly, or look particularly sexy. And we have enough of an obesity epidemic as it is too.
They will never catch on except as perhaps a step on the course to the zimmer frame, for the ederly. They will never be licensed for the road, and would be a danger to pedestrians on the footpath. They're just such an absurd idea.

--
_ // `Thinking is an exercise to which all too few brains
\\/ are accustomed' - First Lensman
Re:Faster than bike in some cases by SuperKendall · 2004-07-29 19:05 · Score: 1

10-12mph? Uh, so 16-20Km/h. I wouldn't hit below 16Km/h on all but the steepest hills, and can sit on 25-30 for hours on mixed terrain without too much effort. I don't see 16Km/h being much faster than 30, or even 20, and i'm no athelete. For $US2K I could get a pretty sweet bike, or even two very decent ones.

Ok Lance.

You're also forgetting the exercise. Exercise, walking, cycling, makes you feel good, as well as being good for you. The exertion is good for you. Humans are designed to undertake arduous physical tasks, if they don't then they don't operate properly, or look particularly sexy. And we have enough of an obesity epidemic as it is too.

I know quite well teh feeling of exertion as I hike a like and like to do high peaks.

However, there's a time and a place for exertion. Often going to work is not that time or place, especially if you don't have a shower on-premises.

Don't think of the Segway as replacing a bike, but instead sort of an extension of a car. It's a thing that can be used instead of a car for a lot of things, in ways that bikes can't.

You may think they'll never catch on. After all, many people called the iPod lame as well. Time will tell.

Have you ever ridden one? You probably wouldn't change your mind but I would never have thought of buying one before I tried them - and rentals for the units are springing up all over. That's the first step.

--
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley

"History Repeating" by Propellerheads by totoanihilation · 2004-07-29 04:53 · Score: 1

The same Propellerheads that brought us Spybreak used in the Matrix movie.

From their disk titled "decksanddrumsandrockandroll"

Re:"History Repeating" by Propellerheads by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:00 · Score: 1

I highly recommend the CD.
They also did the music for the matrix.
The album falls under the genre of "Secret Agent" music.
However the cd encompases thief and spy genre music as well. Yes, there is a difference.

'Her majesty's secret service' is my favorite track.

I also recommend the 'Secret Agent' music feed under electronica in iTunes.

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

I AM impressed by aes2716 · 2004-07-29 05:07 · Score: 1

Now we're talking. Finally a use for this thing. Looks like a fun game to play. After that thing drops in price, I would LOVE to see that control system in it become open source. The same way real polo players take care of their horses, you'll be able to tweak and fine tune these things. I personally, would want mine to have a higher top speed and be able to stop and turn on a dime. Has the potential for a seriously competitive sport. Look out battle bots!

Monster Segway by fugspit · 2004-07-29 05:21 · Score: 1

I wonder if they would let me use a Monster Segway !

Just run over all of the baby segways.

Excellent! Make a Wussy game even Wussier! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 05:26 · Score: 0

I say olde chap, fancy a game of Polo?

Surely my good man. Shall we drink tea and wear fancy dress outfits as well?

Yes, smashing idea. And to look really Poncey let us ride mechanical nerd scooters instead of horses.

Jolly good. Removing the noble beasts will remove any last bit of manhood that may have been lingering in our game.

Finally!A way to play Polo that costs like a Horse by VidEdit · 2004-07-29 05:40 · Score: 1

Wouldn't want Polo to get any cheaper. Thank god the price of Segways will still keep out the riff raff.

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horses? segways? no... BICYCLES! by relya · 2004-07-29 06:03 · Score: 1

no we don't have 3 grand for segways. but we make up for that in our beer budget. you know you want to try it. http://www.axlesofevil.org/

I am pretty hardcore about what by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:09 · Score: 2, Insightful

a sport is, but this qualifies.

Two team trying to control a ball while on a playing field seems like a sport to me.
It also looks hard.

"releases of off-gases at plastic plants,"

you
ve never mucked a stable, have you? ;)

While your bitching, please take into account the care, feeding, and maintainencs of the horse, saddle, cleaners etc . . .

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Re:I am pretty hardcore about what by SubtleNuance · 2004-07-30 17:06 · Score: 1

nope. Never raised horses. Lotsa tomatoes, peppers, peaches, pears, apples, melons, broccoli, lettuce, beans, peas, pickles, cucumbers, corn, wheat, plums, blueberries, raspberries, potatoes, onions and cabbage... no horses. nope.

But(!) I did try and make yogurt last weekend. Boiled milk, used starter... no luck. Never tried it before. But(!) if I get it right, I was going to try and make cheese. If I can get a good source of milk (my little sister has 8 milk-cows she grows organically) I could probably get something going.

Now, I wouldnt exactly have to clean the stalls... but(!) I could let my sister do it.

Whadda think of that idea? Horses? Another toy, I ride my bike..

Re:Making sports BETTER? What the hell? by ChozCunningham · 2004-07-29 06:17 · Score: 1

You thought that, but actually, the point of sport is ritualized competition. Take baseball, curling, bacci or marksmanship. All established and legitimate sports to many people. Yes, in sports, as opposed to games, you do see people get up and move around, and often there are rules to quicken the tempo of events. I'd say that Segway polo, while competely vile and pathetic, is as much a sport as the above. So is speed chess, since it will quicken your pulse far more than lawn bowling.

But you were thinking of athletics. That's the physical activity/competetion thing.

I would love to see a final artical on /. about hacked segways. Hell, somebody might make something actually cool out of one. Imagine foot-controlled model with no handle!

Better still, the Oarange County Chopper model, chromed, with wire rimes, and a top speed of 50 mph.

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Looks good for your age..

Yo, haters by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:34 · Score: 1

A lot of things you are saying remind me of things I heard 25 years ago when I got into computers.
"Too expensive"
"Not Practical"
"Never be used be the common man"

"Fuck you! anarchy rules!"(Punk was gaining fashion):)

A lot of the complaints I am hearing will probably take care of them selves as the technology matures.

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The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Sounds familiar by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:43 · Score: 1

rewind 50 years, replace segway with computer.

I am old enough to remember when someone got a hummer, they paid 50 bucks for one.

you knoiw, it could be a bunck of people just having fun?

How practical will Doom III be?

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Re:Sounds familiar by mabu · 2004-07-29 16:43 · Score: 1

rewind 50 years, replace segway with computer.

I am old enough to remember when someone got a hummer, they paid 50 bucks for one.

you knoiw, it could be a bunck of people just having fun?

How practical will Doom III be?

You will have a point when Doom 3 costs as much as it would to feed an entire society of people in a third world country for a month. You're not there yet.

50 years ago, nobody but universities and a select group of powerful institutions had computers. Even 30 years ago, computers were never status symbols.

If you're "old enough to remember when someone paid $50 for a hummer", considering that's the going rate; considering what else you've written, it's a logical to assume you were born yesterday.

Happy birthday.

this should help you understand by geekoid · 2004-07-29 06:46 · Score: 1

you welcome

--
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

Re:Making sports BETTER? What the hell? by jonbauer · 2004-07-29 06:59 · Score: 1

"Imagine foot-controlled model with no handle!"

Done.

http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID =8534&SearchTerms=hack

Re:Segways also revolutionizing off-roading appare by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 07:27 · Score: 0

and those aren't spiked tires.

they are nobby balloon tires.

so, for the imaginatively impaired, the proper caption should have been:

it is a seqway with large nobby tires, like found on an atv, strapped to a cradle, which is mounted on the rear bumper of a Hummer H2. ....

where it probably stays until the idiot driving the H2 gets stuck, and has to find a fast way down the hill. ....

and the fastest way down the hill is to throw the segway into the bushes, unhitch the cradle, and ride the cradle down the jeep trail like a snow-board.

Great, a sport for the rich, fat & lazy... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-29 07:52 · Score: 0

Just what we need...

But you can do the same with a Segway by SuperKendall · 2004-07-29 09:24 · Score: 1

The Segway also has saddle bags and a compartment above the handlebars - and you can use it with a backpack pretty safley I would say. So I just can't see where you could carry any more with a bike than a Segway. What do you base this observation on?

A Segway also has tired and a frame that can handle loads better than a bike (though it's probably not quite as sturday as a good mountain bike, it's certainly a lot better than just about any road bike for loads).

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"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley

I live in Denver not Kansas by SuperKendall · 2004-07-29 09:26 · Score: 1

I guess I'll have to tell all the bikers doing about 3MP on the steeper hills around Denver they are all wusses then. In fact it would appear there are no fit bikers at all in Denver judging by the lack of ability to take hills at 10MPH+ I have seen.

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"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley

Re:This won't last for long by smithmc · 2004-07-29 10:19 · Score: 1

But then again, how far can you drive a ball with a segway? Wouldn't standard clubs work better?

I'll bet it's great for running over your partner's ball if he starts beating you too badly.

--
Downmodding is the refuge of the weak. Don't downmod, make a better argument!

I need a bigger monitor... by ThatsNotFunny · 2004-07-29 12:20 · Score: 1

I thought it said "Segway Revolutionizes Polio", and had this image of FDR on a Segway instead of his wheelchair.

--
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello

Re:Segways also revolutionizing off-roading appare by steelframe · 2004-07-29 15:45 · Score: 1

FWIW: I saw this setup at Alki beach(in Seattle) this spring. And while it was definetly an eyecatcher,I guess what was most noticable was the lack of dirt on either vehicle.

Not the first Segway Polo by MN+Segway · 2004-07-31 03:02 · Score: 1

Segway Polo was first played at the Vikings game in Minnesota on 9/28/03 Check out photos at www.htpolo.com

242 comments