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Centaur - a Four-wheeled Segway
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."
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.
Cities are being redesigned as we speak to accomodate this thing, I'm sure.
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.
If someone wants to spend a TON of money on a bike, there ARE expensive bikes out there....
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
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!
Not that everyone has the money to shell out for one of these things, but the fact that it has 4 wheels might make people less nervous about it.
g y/maney/2003-06-17-segway_x.htm
It would also lead to fewer of these incidents: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technolo
I don't care how many wheelies it can "pop", if it doesn't come in olive, then I don't want one!
I'll ride a four wheeler over this piece of crap Centaur.
Yes, that is me on the four wheeler.
So, with twice as many wheels as the Segway, will it be twice as useless?
Well, one good thing about this new Centaur is that it is less likely for Bush to fall off of.
I wonder if maddox can expect a cut?
Sorry about the Windows Media...
Life is the leading cause of death in America.
I propose a new corporate slogan.
Segway: Solving problems that don't exist since 2001.
Think they'll go for it?
-B
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.
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.
The wheelchair segway was significant IMHO-I had one relative that could have benefited from it. These other vehicles just aren't living up the hype. Unlike what John Doehr claimed, cities _aren't_ going to be built around these things. Most people need to get more exercise-not more toys.
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.
Segway: no matter how many wheels it has, the website is still down.
You can't handle the truth.
See, I told you they needed a "preview" function!
Thank you. I'll be hear all week.
cLive ;-)
-- Trinity in high heels carrying a whip: The donimatrix - there is no spoonerism
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".
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.)
No sig for you!!
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
You're probably thinking of the Ibot wheelchair, which debuted before the Segway, but still invented by Dean Kamen and DEKA. Same/Similar technology, but differant company. The Centaur is a concept thrown out by Segway engineers which they thought would be fun to build. It's more of a "hey this might be cool" kind of thing they built for the heck of it, they have no plans to market/manufacture these things. The Ibot on the other hand, is a product that will be marketed eventually.
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.
See the article about Concept Centaur in next month's Popular Science magazine for more information and photos:
0 ,20967,710982,00.html
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/generaltech/article/
-
Segway can go up a curve (within reason) and while I would never do it it can go down stairs (seen it with my own eyes) and have heard of credible rumors of people going up stairs down at Segfest last weekend. All while riding. But curbs aren't much of an issue, for drastic curbs you only need to put one foot down for a little assist, and Ive also seen people do drastic curves without using the foot, however there was a lot of air time, not something I would be comfortable doing.
In my day, these things were going to be the next big thing. They were so ahead of their time, that French car maker Citroen saw fit to name one of their newer models after it.
Stick Men
Forget the batteries that take hours to recharge and run down halfway home. Have a alcohol fuel cell onboard and you could fill up at the local liquor store. Or maybe a alcohol fueled micro-turbine generator for some real power.
Science is the Real TRUTH!
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.
Now, a powered, unicycle segway. Woot.
=-+
HT stands for Human Transporter.
"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.
Does this remind anyone else of the Warthog from Halo? Throw some 4 wheel steering on this bad boy, it'd be very similar. Well, at least I think so.
One of the biggest mistakes Segway made with the HT was to avoid any hint of association with fun or competition. This was a deliberate and political choice, as part of their efforts to ensure that the HT would be legal for use on sidewalks.
While a good goal, this kind of thinking resulted in a vehicle with no suspension and other constraints. With zero ability to handle potholes and terrain, we saw some over-publicized injuries, and it wound up being banned in some cities anyway.
In contrast, the Centaur is designed for FUN and interesting capabilities -- I like it, and I'm cheering them on with this one! (of course I'd also like to see a lighter and more capable HT with a suspension)