BoXXi, yes his wheelchair is awesome, and indeed a great adavancement for disabled people. But this Segway thing? Sure it's cool, the way it seems to levitate and keep upright by itself. But technology is supposed to have a purpose... What is the purpose in this case? When would I use it? To go to work? It would take me two hours at top speed. I take the train to go to work. So could I use it to go to and from the train station? No, because it's way too big and bulky to carry on in the train with me. In the summer, I have a regular feet pushed scooter to make the trips to the train; much more handy. So, I would have no practical use for it. What about leasure? I walk because I enjoy walking; it's relaxing and I always love a nice walk after dinner. This thing won't take the place of walking.
Maybe if I lived in the city, closer to work. But then again, what would I do with it once at work? Bring it in with me? Having to carry this 80 pounds would be a pain in the but, but it still would be feasable. Again, a regular scooter seems to be much more convenient; and for those who don't want to bother having to push, there are motorized ones. For example, take a look at this electric scooter: http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml;$sessionid$E3UXQY00L4ZTDQFIA2KCF3Q?sku=SI700TEA&id=psid07&source=16720&_requestid=87322 ; it's only 200$ and weights only 15 pounds.
Sorry, but I put the Segaway in the same category as the Aibo dog: technologically cool, but useless and expensive. Revolutionnary thechnologically, certainly, but not revolutionnary practically.

The only good thing, as paxx pointed out, is that it stays upright. That something gets invented does not mean it is revolutionary or a good thing or that everyone should go out and get it.

This thing falls into the "oh, haha, stupid, move along" category. It certainly is not an advancement in human transportation.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree............. I like it.

It's your right BoXXi.
If you have the $3000 to spend on it, go for it.

No! We must convert him!!

Yes it is "neat" but seriously, how much more lazy do we need to get? Already so many will just get in their car and drive 2 blocks to go to a corner store... Hello?!!

I am all about gadgets and gizmos but I have to agree with Crea on this and say that it is certainly not an advancement in human transportation. It is more like an advancement in human laziness. Yes it has it's purposes and it will definitely help the disabled immensely but as far a person that has no problem walk... Get out and get some exercise!



But I do have to say if they have an option to trick it out then give me the mud tires and the hydraulic suspension! I'm takeing this baby off road!

I'm going to get one as soon as they're available for us mere mortals. I live in suburbia and there are all sorts of stores and other things that I would like to go to without a car.

I have a bike (I ride my bike a lot and would continue to) but I don't feel comfortable riding my bike in the city areas because of cars and my own...lack of confident in my ability to keep from getting creamed.

For me this thing's main attraction is control. Ease of moving. I'm not willing to walk 2 miles to the video store or comic book store or grocery store to pick up a few things and I hate currently having to drive my car on a nice day for only 1 or 2 miles.

OK, so you get to the store... What do you do with the device? Can't leave it outside, at the price it costs! Can't really bring it inside either, it's too big and heavy...
No again, I see 3 problems with this device before it can be considered acceptable: too heavy, too big, too expensive.
But, what's wrong wth riding your bike to the store again? I didn't understand that part... Too dangerous?? How is the Segway safer than a bike? You'd have to ride in the street too, since it could be hazard to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
But again, as I said to BoXXi, this is a free world, you can waste your money the way you want.

Anyone remember Arc2? gimme a jetpack baby and fly!

"But I do have to say if they have an option to trick it out then give me the mud tires and the hydraulic suspension! I'm takeing this baby off road!
by Third Eye - 12/5/2001 4:01:21 PM"

...hell yeah.....now that would be fun

But seriously, I wouldn't have any use for it either. I'll ride my bike (which would be much faster than the Segway) to anywhere I need to go, or simply 'walk' to the corner shops

heh like i said before i always walk to work. it will be very much useful for me. i dont like driving thats why.

If you'd take that thing off road, you'd break your neck.

XX, there are cheaper alternatives than Segway to walking or driving: bicycle, scooter (motorized or not), rollerblades...
That's the thing I don't undestand. I don't see what's so new about this thing, other than it stands upright by itself...

But Crae, it doesn't fall over. Duh!

Reality check:

People don't walk and ride their bikes. Many people do but many don't. I don't care whether people think I should ride my bike to the stores or walk to them. I don't want to. I want something easier that doesn't require me to use a car. This fits that need.

We live in a world in which people drive their cars .25 miles. Sure, they SHOULD ride their bikes or walk but they're too much hassle for whatever reasons. The Segway is a lot less hassle to deal with (that's the theory anyway, we'll see in practice but I feel it's going to be less hassle). You can't easily steal the thing as it has a key and if you pick it up without the key it'll scream bloody murder. Sure, I wouldn't go to a bad part of town with it but for my needs it'll work fine.

But my main point is that the arguments about hwo we should use our bikes or walk are pointless because most people don't. When I ride my bike to the store, I'm the only one on the side walk. Discussing how things SHOULD be is meaningless. We're talking about how things actually ARE.