Everybodies got one.
First, the Segway is not designed to replace walking. It does not compete with walking. If I am going to the corner store like I did before the Segway, I will walk. It is 4 blocks. Short walk.
Second, the Segway is not designed to replace a car. It does not compete with cars. If I am going to go 30 miles, I drive.
70% of all car trips in the U.S. are single occupant, 4 miles or less. This is what the Segway was designed to replace. Now, flame away and say ride a bike. Sure, why not. In a suit in Texas in July. In Miami any day of the year.
I commute almost 5 miles on the Segway. 20 minutes door to door. Down a bike path. Now, I know, too slow and too wide. I get passed by 1 bike each way each day. I pass many bikes each day. I am 1/4 as wide as the rollerbladers on the path. I am narrower than a lot of the mountain bikes. I spend about 6 cents a day for electricity.
What if it rains? Well, remember when I said it does not compete with a car? On rainy days I commute in a car. About 17 minutes door to door. 7 stop signs 19 traffic signals with horrible traffic, on 30 MPH or slower streets will do that to a commute.
Over and over on this board, I see references to people being shaky on the machine. Guess what, you are talking about tour groups (probably have less that 1 hour on it)and people trying the machine(probably have less than 5 minutes on it). It takes a some time to give up your balance and allow the machine to balance for you. Try asking someone who really rides one if it is shaky. I ride it hands free often. It is only shaky if you make it shaky. Yes, if you were on it and it was shaking, that is because you were trying to balance it, and it was doing its best to counteract the bizarre control inputs you were giving it.
Over and over on this board you hear about Bush falling off. Guess what folks, generally things like turning on the lights and getting the car started are done for presidents. He was delayed, and the old software shut the machine down after 1 minute. So when he was handed the machine, he assumed it was on. Guess what, that software was revised 2 years ago. It is really just 2 very powerful computers, and when they are off, they can't balance anything. Do you blast your computer because you cannot see the letters you type when it is off?
Over and over on this board we hear stories about jerky weird steering and running into walls while drunk segway jousting. So it took some time to learn. How long did it take to learn how to steer properly in a car. I have friends who are 30+ who still have not mastered the art of making one arc around a freeway turn. You know this person, don't tell me you don't, the person who steers a little too much, then lets off, the steers too much again. And guess what? The reason there was a Segway article is Segway redesigned the steering so that is not how you control it. The new steering is simply lean while holding the handles in the direction you want to go, and it goes there. Nothing to learn, it simply works.
Just a couple Segway facts for all of you who post whatever incorrect facts you need to support your closeminded opinions. Speed=12.5mph/20kph. Range=20-26 miles/32-40km. Maintenance=check tire pressure and charge.
Now, I know I will change zero opinions here. Your minds are made up. And you are right. Today for most people this would simply be an expensive toy. I happen to live in a situation where it works. I put gas in the car about once every 6 weeks. But imagine this. Change one lane on the road to an PEV lane. Allow Segways on the Cal train. Ride the Segway 5 miles from home in San Jose the the Train station. Ride the Caltrain to San Fransisco. Ride 3 miles from the train station to your office. Up and down the hills. None in Frisco are nearly steep enough to stop a Segway. Plug in while at work. Meet a friend 2 miles away for lunch. Don't worry about parking or taxis. Be back at work on time. Ride home and at the end of the day you will have spent about 15 cents for electricity. You did not spend $40 on gas and parking. Would that not be nice?
Flame away without reading the whole post, I don't mind.
Slashdot Mirror
Everybodies got one. First, the Segway is not designed to replace walking. It does not compete with walking. If I am going to the corner store like I did before the Segway, I will walk. It is 4 blocks. Short walk. Second, the Segway is not designed to replace a car. It does not compete with cars. If I am going to go 30 miles, I drive. 70% of all car trips in the U.S. are single occupant, 4 miles or less. This is what the Segway was designed to replace. Now, flame away and say ride a bike. Sure, why not. In a suit in Texas in July. In Miami any day of the year. I commute almost 5 miles on the Segway. 20 minutes door to door. Down a bike path. Now, I know, too slow and too wide. I get passed by 1 bike each way each day. I pass many bikes each day. I am 1/4 as wide as the rollerbladers on the path. I am narrower than a lot of the mountain bikes. I spend about 6 cents a day for electricity. What if it rains? Well, remember when I said it does not compete with a car? On rainy days I commute in a car. About 17 minutes door to door. 7 stop signs 19 traffic signals with horrible traffic, on 30 MPH or slower streets will do that to a commute. Over and over on this board, I see references to people being shaky on the machine. Guess what, you are talking about tour groups (probably have less that 1 hour on it)and people trying the machine(probably have less than 5 minutes on it). It takes a some time to give up your balance and allow the machine to balance for you. Try asking someone who really rides one if it is shaky. I ride it hands free often. It is only shaky if you make it shaky. Yes, if you were on it and it was shaking, that is because you were trying to balance it, and it was doing its best to counteract the bizarre control inputs you were giving it. Over and over on this board you hear about Bush falling off. Guess what folks, generally things like turning on the lights and getting the car started are done for presidents. He was delayed, and the old software shut the machine down after 1 minute. So when he was handed the machine, he assumed it was on. Guess what, that software was revised 2 years ago. It is really just 2 very powerful computers, and when they are off, they can't balance anything. Do you blast your computer because you cannot see the letters you type when it is off? Over and over on this board we hear stories about jerky weird steering and running into walls while drunk segway jousting. So it took some time to learn. How long did it take to learn how to steer properly in a car. I have friends who are 30+ who still have not mastered the art of making one arc around a freeway turn. You know this person, don't tell me you don't, the person who steers a little too much, then lets off, the steers too much again. And guess what? The reason there was a Segway article is Segway redesigned the steering so that is not how you control it. The new steering is simply lean while holding the handles in the direction you want to go, and it goes there. Nothing to learn, it simply works. Just a couple Segway facts for all of you who post whatever incorrect facts you need to support your closeminded opinions. Speed=12.5mph/20kph. Range=20-26 miles/32-40km. Maintenance=check tire pressure and charge. Now, I know I will change zero opinions here. Your minds are made up. And you are right. Today for most people this would simply be an expensive toy. I happen to live in a situation where it works. I put gas in the car about once every 6 weeks. But imagine this. Change one lane on the road to an PEV lane. Allow Segways on the Cal train. Ride the Segway 5 miles from home in San Jose the the Train station. Ride the Caltrain to San Fransisco. Ride 3 miles from the train station to your office. Up and down the hills. None in Frisco are nearly steep enough to stop a Segway. Plug in while at work. Meet a friend 2 miles away for lunch. Don't worry about parking or taxis. Be back at work on time. Ride home and at the end of the day you will have spent about 15 cents for electricity. You did not spend $40 on gas and parking. Would that not be nice? Flame away without reading the whole post, I don't mind.