Centaur - a Four-wheeled Segway

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Centaur - a Four-wheeled Segway

Posted by michael on Tuesday October 12, 2004 @08:12AM from the you-can't-afford-it dept.

Mr. Protocol writes "Segway, the folks who brought you the two-wheeled wonder called the IT, have a new concept vehicle up on their website. Called Centaur, it's a four-wheeled version of the IT that pulls stable wheelies by acting like a two-wheeled IT. The movie (Windows Media or Quicktime) shows someone having far too much fun riding one."

34 of 309 comments (clear)

Awesome by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-12 08:13 · Score: 5, Funny

Now, if they could just make it bigger, add some room for passengers, maybe some seats and a steering wheel, I could see people use them.
1. Re:Awesome by WormholeFiend · 2004-10-12 08:39 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I hope they licence the technology for Hummers, for the ultimate intimidation experience of a giant SUV doing a wheelie on the freeway!
2. Re:Awesome by mikepaktinat · 2004-10-12 10:34 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Sorry, maddox already called for a 3-wheel version, he has prior-art
  http://maddox.xmission.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_com plicated_than_it_needs_to_be
  check that out, funny as always
City Redesign by mumblestheclown · 2004-10-12 08:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Cities are being redesigned as we speak to accomodate this thing, I'm sure.
1. Re:City Redesign by Carnildo · 2004-10-12 08:17 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  This one seems to be targeted at the off-road crowd. I'm sure they'll make the neccessary changes to hiking trails in short order.
  
  --
  "They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
2. Re:City Redesign by superdan2k · 2004-10-12 09:03 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Did you not read the press release closely? The wilderness is being redesigned as we speak to accomodate this thing.
  
  That said, the first time someone tries to pass me on one of these while I'm mountain biking, I'm giving them the shoulder. Hard.
  
  --
  blog |
3. Re:City Redesign by Speaker+to+Sendmail · 2004-10-12 09:04 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  The appropriate changes to HIKING trails? For a wheeled, motorized vehicle? Would those be caltrops and tripwires? Or just arming the wildlife?
4. Re:City Redesign by homer_ca · 2004-10-12 09:15 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Yes, because if there's one thing every hiking trail needs, it's an electric ATV quad that can do self balancing wheelies.
5. Re:City Redesign by genner · 2004-10-12 09:30 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  And it will keep it's balance and keep going. The
  whole idea is that this things untipoverable.
  It's ideal for people who are always "getting the shoulder".
6. Re:City Redesign by Carnildo · 2004-10-12 12:25 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Since this vehicle has solid rubber tires, dragons' teeth and antitank mines seem more appropriate.
  
  --
  "They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
"Look ma no hands!" "Wear your helmet dear!" by garcia · 2004-10-12 08:13 · Score: 5, Funny

The movie (Windows Media or Quicktime) shows someone having far too much fun riding one."

Well duh, he's trying to make up for the fact that he looks like a huge dork with that fucking helmet on. :)
So... by Tuxedo+Jack · 2004-10-12 08:14 · Score: 4, Funny

Does this mean that I could play polo off one, or play the Texas Roadkill game?

Look, a politician! Twenty points!

--

Striking fear in the authors of godawful fanfiction, I am here, appearing in darkness, Tuxedo Jack!
But does it come in olive? by apparently · 2004-10-12 08:14 · Score: 2, Funny

I don't care how many wheelies it can "pop", if it doesn't come in olive, then I don't want one!
OK... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-12 08:15 · Score: 1, Funny

But will it run linux?
Twice as many wheels by lucabrasi999 · 2004-10-12 08:15 · Score: 5, Funny

So, with twice as many wheels as the Segway, will it be twice as useless?
1. Re:Twice as many wheels by El · 2004-10-12 08:38 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  will it be twice as useless? No, it will be twices as useful! Remember 2x0=0, but you can't get any more useless than completly, hopelessly, 100% useless.
  
  --
  "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney
Bush will be Happy by kai.chan · 2004-10-12 08:16 · Score: 5, Funny

Well, one good thing about this new Centaur is that it is less likely for Bush to fall off of.
How to render the segway obsolete: by otis+wildflower · 2004-10-12 08:18 · Score: 2, Funny

I wonder if maddox can expect a cut?
Suggestion- by Ralph+Wiggam · 2004-10-12 08:20 · Score: 5, Funny

I propose a new corporate slogan.

Segway: Solving problems that don't exist since 2001.

Think they'll go for it?

-B
In other news... by rackhamh · 2004-10-12 08:20 · Score: 5, Funny

Segway has announced a revolutionary new balance system. Code-named "kickstand", this invention is expected to revolutionize the parking process for light-weight transportation vehicles in major cities worldwide. Patent pending.
This is just great... by Dracolytch · 2004-10-12 08:22 · Score: 5, Funny

For all the geeks that don't have balance enough for a skateboard, are convinced that a scooter isn't dorky enough, believe that bicycles are generally too damn cheap, and are too lazy for any of the above.

~D

--
This sig has been enciphered with a one-time pad. It could say almost anything.
Look at the guy in the picture with the blue by Jakhel · 2004-10-12 08:25 · Score: 2, Funny

helmet that's doing a power slide on the golf course. He is the uber-dork. His dorkiness surpasses that of any movie-theater-camping-while-wearing-a-homemade-sta r-wars-costume dork in the world.

The only thing worse than seeing grown men wearing helmets and riding that thing is probably grown men wearing helmets and riding those little razor scooters.
1. Re:Look at the guy in the picture with the blue by kitzilla · 2004-10-12 08:34 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Adults riding with helmets generally look less dorky after a casual impact than their uber-cool, non-helmet-wearing bretheren.
  
  --
  This is my post. There are many others like it. If you don't like what you read here, go try one of the others.
They should call it by roman_mir · 2004-10-12 08:27 · Score: 2, Funny

Segway: no matter how many wheels it has, the website is still down.

--
You can't handle the truth.
Re:/.'ed by lucabrasi999 · 2004-10-12 08:28 · Score: 2, Funny

I'm an thought leader.
See, I told you they needed a "preview" function!
He has no need for it. by cliveholloway · 2004-10-12 08:30 · Score: 3, Funny

Isn't he on the wagon at the moment?
Thank you. I'll be hear all week.
cLive ;-)

--
-- Trinity in high heels carrying a whip: The donimatrix - there is no spoonerism
It will completely revolutionize transportation. by bareman · 2004-10-12 08:34 · Score: 2, Funny

Next on the list they'll add a body to it so the rider can site inside to endure uncomfortable weather. They could call it a "car".
Re:Who cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-10-12 08:37 · Score: 5, Funny

Why did you post a pic of you taking a crap on a kid's ATV?
So wait a second by aztektum · 2004-10-12 08:38 · Score: 2, Funny

Centaur Rider: I can ride balanced on two wheels!

Segway Rider: So can I!

Duh

(I know they said they aren't planning on manufacturing it. It just seemed like a "Wtf" to me.)

--
:: aztek ::
No sig for you!!
I can see one clear application... by StressGuy · 2004-10-12 08:39 · Score: 2, Funny

This might even be in the article, can't read it because it's already slashdotted. However, it sure seems like this would be a great idea for a wheelchair. This would give people confined to such a chair the ability to stand. The Segway was a silly little expensive scooter, but this could be a real boon to such people.

--
A goal is a dream with a deadline
Wow! by brj · 2004-10-12 08:48 · Score: 2, Funny

Segway has managed to invent something that will sell fewer units of than the Human Transporter. I didn't think that they could actually accomplish that goal, but it looks like they've been working hard at it.
From the product description: by zombiestomper · 2004-10-12 09:01 · Score: 2, Funny

From time to time Segway's product development team devotes days, or even weeks, to creating new product concepts with the goal of finding a prince among frogs.

Actually, I think they're really looking for a fool and his money.

1. Intuitive user controls:

Thumbs forward: The Centaur's forward and backward propulsion is easily controlled by pushing a thumb throttle located on the underside of the right-hand handlebar.

Innovation, thy name is Segway. Kinda like a Rascal, eh? Genius!

2. Pop a wheelie: The Centaur uses dynamic stabilization technology...

Why? Who cares? Besides, the guy on the Rascal page seems to be having a blast keeping all 4 wheels on the ground. No broken hips there.

Lean forward, go forward...

Then why #1? See #2

3. Smart steering: The front two wheels turn left and right mechanically...

See #1. Looks like those wiley Rascal folks beat you to the punch.

4. No exhaust: Batteries power the Centaur, which means that there are no emissions...

Rascal Rascal Rascal Rascal Rascal

5. Quiet...

Hmmm...could the Rascal be quiet, too? See a pattern here?

Now, if the Rascal company borrows a page from the book of SCO, I think we'll litigious comedy gold.
unicycle by benjonson · 2004-10-12 09:15 · Score: 2, Funny

Now, a powered, unicycle segway. Woot.

--
=-+
Yet another concept vehicle tease by Kurt+Gray · 2004-10-12 09:35 · Score: 2, Funny

"How much does it cost? Since Concept Centaur is just that--a concept--they aren't for sale. At the present time, Segway LLC has no plans to manufacture or sell this as a product."

Which is why I hate you Segway.