Segway Design Turns a Corner
By Hannah Isom
The next generation of the Segway scooter has been unveiled in America amid much rejoicing. The original self-balancing, single person scooter was first revealed in 2002 and this swanky new model allows the rider to steer by leaning side to side, rather than turning the handlebars. It also has a very useful wireless electric key and alarm system, essential should the user wish to park in one of those 'unsavoury neighbourhoods'.
The Segway design is a two-wheeled vehicle which is ridden in a standing position with the rider holding handlebars. The balance is maintained by a gyroscope, allowing the rider to remain in an upright position (in theory).
Officials at Segway Inc, New Hampshire claim to have sold tens of thousands of the things, which cost around $5000-$6000 a pop, yet their intended purpose still seems to elude most people.
Dave Howells from the Boston Museum of Science occasionally rides one around at work to mingle with visitors, but doesn't believe they'd be practical for everyday use. Marc Hodosh, a technology consultant disagrees. He uses his Segway to commute up to 10-20 miles a day and says "There are no issues of parking, there are no faster ways to get through Boston at rush hour, you don't pay anything for gas, as there is none. And on top of that, it's a lot of fun."
The scooters are undeniable environmentally sound, they take 8 hours to charge from a wall socket and can cover 24 miles in a single charge reaching speeds of 12.5 mph. The company also makes an "off-road" model, which has to be more eco-friendly than so called gas-guzzling 4x4 vehicles.
There are however growing safety concerns from various camps including Dave Davis, a golf course assistant (and not the shadow home secretary) who says that some of his patrons have had a little difficulty remaining upright on the scooters. More seriously, President Bush has also fallen victim to a Segway related trauma when he fell off one three years ago. Fortunately Mr. Bush was unharmed, but the question remains, if the most powerful man in the world can fall off a Segway, what hope to the rest of us have?
Picture courtesy of: Urban Mobility GmbH
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