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Segway Inventor To Build Powerful Wheelchair With Toyota (bloomberg.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the let's-go-places dept.

Toyota is working with Segway PT inventor Dean Kamen on advanced wheelchairs for the aged and disabled. Slashdot reader necro81 writes: Most people don't know that the two-wheeled balancing technology was first developed by Kamen's company in the early 2000s for the iBot -- an advanced wheelchair that could climb stairs and curbs, had four-wheel drive, and could balance on its rear wheels... it was also a commercial flop: the iBot was discontinued in 2009 after selling hundreds of units (many still in operation a decade later). Today, however, Toyota announced a partnership with Dean Kamen to upgrade the iBot and bring it back to market.
I wonder if they'll be used in more than just the obvious ways. 15 years after the introduction of the first Segways, Steve Wozniak is participating in the Segway polo world championships (which are named the "Woz Cup" in his honor). And the Australian army once even had a fleet of Segways which they dressed up like enemy soldiers to practice field maneuvers.

23 of 40 comments (clear)

  1. Slashdot can't die by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Don't worry, even when nobody else is on Slashdot, PopeRatzo, xxxJoyBoyxxx and turkeydance will still be refreshing every story to get their 2 cents in first. Remember kids, comedy isn't about having the best jokes, it's about saying them before anybody else does.

  2. If there's anybody looking by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

    And the Australian army once even had a fleet of Segways which they dressed up like enemy soldiers to practice field maneuvers.

    Strewth, had they run out of bloomin' Abbos?

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  3. Interesting technology... meh... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2

    The only time I see a two-wheel Segway these days is a rent-a-cop cruising around a tech campus. Meh... Now the three-wheel Segway is much cooler (see link below). I'm always tempted to jump on one to take out for a test drive. Lights flashing, of course. :)

    http://www.gizmag.com/segway-launches-three-wheeled-se-3-patroller/32167/

    1. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

      Now the paul blarts will get even lazier and fattier, just sitting in their segways.

      Neither the two-wheeled nor three-wheeled Segways have seats, and sitting on the step well isn't a comfortable position.

      Also, getting lazier and fattier is the purpose of any technological development. Otherwise, we would still be hunting our food and be hunted as food.

    2. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by PPH · · Score: 1

      The Segway is an overpriced novelty. Technology just for the sake of technology. The iBot had potential, but was overpriced. Now that it has been reclassified by the FDA, perhaps it will make economic sense and help some handicapped people.

      I wonder how much the original FDA certification added to the cost of an iBot. And how much the reclassification will save. At some point, this is really just a fancy mobility scooter. And FDA certification doesn't seem to impose too much on their cost and safety.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    3. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

      I wonder how much the original FDA certification added to the cost of an iBot.

      American consumers will probably pay for the privilege as manufacturers claim a higher price to recoup the cost of R&D. Meanwhile, due to price controls to contain rising medical costs, it'll be a lot cheaper in other countries.

    4. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

      A segway with a seat.

      Re-read my original comment. I didn't mention a Segway with a seat.

    5. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by necro81 · · Score: 1

      The iBot had potential, but was overpriced

      It wasn't like DEKA and Johnson & Johnson were making a killing on the original iBot. The market price (north of $20k in 2005) reflected the fact that, compared to other powered wheelchairs, it was really expensive to develop and build. J&J lost tens of millions on the iBot program.

      Another difficulty the original iBot faced was that, although it provided exceptional mobility and independence for its users, Medicare reimbursed it at the same rate as any other powered wheelchair - $5-10k, depending on configuration and options. In other words, the added features did not receive added reimbursement. So anyone who wanted one faced significant out-of-pocket expenses. To use a car analogy: let's say there was a government program that would purchase a $15k Honda Civic for everyone that needed to commute to work. Lots of people live at the end of dirt roads, for which a $25k 4x4 pickup would be necessary. The government wouldn't buy the pickup at that price, despite its utility, figuring that a Civic is good enough for everyone.

      I wonder how much the original FDA certification added to the cost of an iBot

      A lot - you can be sure. It was a device with no predicate, and provided ample opportunity to injure or kill the person using it. Satisfying the FDA that it was safe under all conditions (even to the point of having dual-everything, for fail-operative redundancy) probably took years.

    6. Re:Interesting technology... meh... by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      That is the real catch with the mobility for the disabled program, generating sufficient sales. So a new look at it from the perspective of mobility of the lazy and joy riders. Creating a mobility vehicle for the lazy and joy riders but that can be adapted for use by the disabled at low cost. Increasing sales potential to reduce per unit cost. In work environment making people more productive, than they could otherwise be whilst one foot ie postman, stock pickers and stackers, security. Used indoors and out and that can climb stairs and kerbs. Ideally it should also be capable of manual operation for exercise and breakdown protection. Still be expensive but that per unit cost could be driven way down.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  4. The Segway, LOL by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

    Ah yes, the Segway. It was supposed to "revolutionize the world", and was a huge flop that practically no one wanted. Seeing a Segway in the wild is akin to spotting a unicorn galloping down the street.

    I can count on one hand the number of Segways I've seen in actual use, mostly cops patrolling aimlessly inside of airports and shopping malls. They're not much use in the real world where just rolling over a stick or rock throws you off and makes you a candidate for a head injury.

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    1. Re:The Segway, LOL by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

      Ah yes, the Segway. It was supposed to "revolutionize the world", and was a huge flop that practically no one wanted.

      Segway obviously over-engineered their product. If they have dropped the handle, it would have been revolutionary. Hoverboards are replacing skateboards for youngsters. I've seen more of those than Segways in public.

    2. Re:The Segway, LOL by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

      Seeing a Segway in the wild is akin to spotting a unicorn galloping down the street.

      I've seen a few on bike paths--one reason that you don't see them all that much is that most cities banned them from sidewalks and the like.

      I got a chance to play with one, once, and I was really impressed. They are very cool. I considered buying one for my Dad, who had emphysema, as a way for him to get around outdoors in the country. Unfortunately, it was a bit out of my price range.

    3. Re:The Segway, LOL by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, it was a bit out of my price range.

      Yep. For the price of a Segway I could probably hire someone to push me across the entire United States in a wheelchair. :)

      They're cool, but coolness wasn't enough to make them practical. You couldn't really commute to work on one in most places, nor could you go grocery shopping with one. I'm not sure what you can do with one, frankly, other than Mall Patrol.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    4. Re:The Segway, LOL by Trogre · · Score: 1

      ... and how many unicorns have you seen lately?

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    5. Re:The Segway, LOL by Guy+Harris · · Score: 1

      "Seeing a Segway in the wild is akin to spotting a unicorn galloping down the street." ---- This right here

      I live in an area where Bentley's and Ferrari's are quite common but have only see 1 Segway in public this decade.

      I live in an area where Bentleys and Ferraris are not uncommon - heck, I even saw a McLaren on the road a few days ago, and I've seen probably about 5-7 Segways over the past decade. Unicorns, these days, on the other hand....

    6. Re:The Segway, LOL by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      ... and how many unicorns have you seen lately?

      Almost as many as the number of Segways I've seen.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    7. Re:The Segway, LOL by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      Hoverboards also cost like $300
      https://www.google.com/search?...

      Segways cost near $2000
      https://www.google.com/search?...

      If they cost the same, they would be the same thing, but Segways are much safer, and can deal with the occasional rock without throwing the rider off. The Segway enabled the Hoverboards, but they are not nearly the same thing. It is like comparing rollerblades to a bike, they serve different purposes and uses.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
    8. Re:The Segway, LOL by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      Apparently unicorns are more common than I was led to believe.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
  5. Re: EditorDavid by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Get a room.

    That's a waste. I'll just do it right here on my desk.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  6. Video of new prototype by necro81 · · Score: 3, Informative

    It took some digging, but there was a video released as part of the announcement.

    Not rick-rolling - it actually does have Dean Kamen sitting in the new chair.

  7. That was an odd sentiment by Angst+Badger · · Score: 1

    I wonder if they'll be used in more than just the obvious ways.

    Yes, because it would be such a pity if they were "just" used to help people who can't walk to get around. ;)

    --
    Proud member of the Weirdo-American community.
  8. Re:Old people and cripples by cyberchondriac · · Score: 1

    Red Forman is on slashdot ..?

    --

    Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
  9. Most people don't know by trevc · · Score: 1

    Why do people use that belittling phrase?