The Japanese Segway Clone: PMP-2
Posted on 12/05/2005 10:23:32 AM PST by wallcrawlr
The 'human transporter' is transforming the lives of some disabled people -- but the machine has been banned from some of the places they'd most like to be.
Multiple sclerosis doesn't stop Cheryl McManners from zipping around the Minnesota State Fair or the Landscape Arboretum on her high-tech human transporter, a two-wheeled device known as a Segway.
But the Minneapolis Institute of Arts told the Shakopee woman not to show up with one. The Minnesota Zoo sent her back to the parking lot. And the Mall of America, she says, "doesn't want you anywhere near there."
Four years after the battery-powered Segway was introduced in a blaze of publicity as a revolutionary way to get around, the world isn't exactly teeming with them. But for a small class of people who find it tough to get around, it offers an exhilarating new freedom -- and a release from the wheelchairs many dislike.
But Segway users are finding resistance at important venues -- resistance they find baffling, and that disability advocates say is illegal.
Those banning the Segway say they are trying to protect other guests from a big, fast-moving machine that can be dangerous.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
I say turn down the speed a notch and let 'em in...(I'm sure there are exceptions)
Will these get treated someday like other pieces of mobility equipment? electric wheelchairs and such.
CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!!
The visceral hatred that some people have of the Segway has always fascinated me. You would think the libs would be all for it, but generally they can't stand the thing.
Where's Ralph Nader? "Unsafe at any speed"
Why haven't the Segway company integrated collision avoidance into the machine. It should be obvious that you don't want it driving into an obstacle, living or not.
Not even when President Bush lost his balance on one about a year ago???
Thas because only "Rich" people can own them doncha know.
Maybe that's because walking is the only exercise most people get?
The Segway represents the final frontier to the vegetablization of humankind.
If they came with a small but visible handicap-tag, I'm sure they would be allowed almost anywhere.
"Those banning the Segway say they are trying to protect other guests from a big, fast-moving machine that can be dangerous."
I have never heard that argument made; that's a strawman. Rather, they are banned for being obnoxious in concept alone - as much so as an able-bodied person who rides an electric wheelchair for fun or out of laziness.
the problem is simle- lack of advertising0- they had a press release and a lot of free publicitiy at first, and then nothing.
I think it is an amazing invention- and seeing commercials on TV once in a while might just get me to buy one- I have completely forgotten about them until this article today.
"You would think the libs would be all for it,"
That's because it is a product of Capitalism. If some frenchmen had invented it, they'd be in love with it.
I have a serious nerve damage problem with my feet and lower legs.....I can walk, but not without pain and considerable effort. I refuse to sit in a wheel chair or a rascal, but have been considering one of these segue or Segway or whatever these things are called (looks like an old style reel lawn mower to me). Now it looks like it might not be an option. cest la vie.
They noticed yuppies riding them.
Libs want to help the handicapped. But they don't like segway.
Libs want to boost non-polluting energy sources. But they don't like n-plants.
Libs like renewable energy sources. But wind farms kill birds.
Libs get upset about human rights abuses. But think we were wrong to depose Hussein.
This tells us much about Libs.
"Segway Bang-Bang, Segway Bang-Bang, We love You..."
South Park hit a home-run with that episode....
Can't public places like malls just put up disclaimer signs so they can't be sued for the fault of customers?
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