A Killer App For Segway

cameronk writes "The NYT reports that Segway is developing a growing popularity with people who are mobility-impaired. My 94 year-old grandfather is too proud to use a wheelchair, yet too fragile to walk. The Segway seems like an ideal way for him to maneuver about."

Comments

Segway: Unsafe at Any Speed

[Anonymous Coward]

Just keep old Presidents off and everything will be fine.

Re:Segway: Unsafe at Any Speed

[xs650]

A 94 year old is almost as likely to fall off his Segway as Bush. The difference is that Bush is physically fit (although not fiscally or mentally fit). A fall from higher than normal standing height could be real serious for a 94 year old. A Segway for gramps is real bad idea, for him and for other people on the sidewalk.

When I die, I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did, not terrified like his passengers did.

low-tech solution

[menscher]

What about using a cane? Worked for my grandfater....

remember back when...

[spacerodent]

I would love to have seen the look on the faces of the people who orignally claimed segway was everything from cold fusion to Ai when they saw the stupid scooter.

Perhaps "killer" isn't the word

[yerdaddie]

If you're talking about 94-year old folks, I'm not sure if you want to bill something as the "killer app."

forgot this demo

[tcd004]

Best segway campaign ever.

tcd004

Segway or Out-of-My-Way

[lakiolen]

Just wait untill there are gangs of partially disabled senior citizens roving around in packs forcing everyone else off the sidewalk, not caring who or what they run into and/or over. And then there's the Segway Centar which can only lead to who knows what kind of shenanigans.

Re:Sidewalk as battleground

[Necrobruiser]

...Segway for the Highway Now THAT would be something to see.

Not for his 94 year-old grandfather. Then it would be a Segway doing 45 mph in the hammer lane with it's left turn signal on for miles.

If I had the cash....

[DLR]

...I'd love to take a Segway, 1 or 2 deep cycle marine batteries, a mini-ITX system and Voila! instant robot*, just add appendages.

*(with 2 years of software development time, not for use around the frail or infirm, your electric bill may show unexpected increases, void where prohibited, your milage may vary, not responsible for reactions of household pets, not responsible if you install optional Death Ray appendage)

Re:Not a good idea

[mm0mm]

Wasn't there a case awhile back were a Segway, if low on battery power, would cause the rider to fall flat on their face?

Solution: Airbag-featured Segway

Re:Sidewalk as battleground

[AndroidCat]

Segway for the Highway would definitely be a killer app, for sure.

Sounds great till he falls and breaks his hip.

[photon317]

What a great idea for a fragile old man who has trouble walking - stick him standing up on a gyro-balanced thing that walks faster than we ever could and hope he doesn't manage to fall off.

Hope your grandfather has better balance than Bush

[markomarko]

Anyone remember the story of his Segway crash? Take a look at http://www.google.com/search?q=Bush+segway&ie=UTF- 8&oe=UTF-8 to jog your memory.

So, I wouldn't call it a wheelchair replacement. Despite the machine's clinical look, a walker still might be a better choice.

Re:Not a good idea

[seven of five]

my 93 year old grandmother weaves in and out of heavy traffic on PCH

is this a highway or a drug?

Re:Not a good idea

[seven of five]

(And to the other poster, the PCH is the Pacific Coast Highway.)

In Chicago we have LSD, which is conveniently both.