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Segway Revolutionizes Polo

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the horses-are-so-yesterday dept.

Mirkon writes "The Register is carrying a story on an example of how technology is making sports better: Segway Polo. The San Francisco Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group has instructions on how to build a mallet (PDF), and a video clip of Segway Polo in action (MOV). A revolutionary device, indeed."

3 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. Well at least it's doing something! by Stevyn · · 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.

  2. Life imitates art... by Drasil · · 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.
  3. My take on the Segway by mabu · · 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.