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'IT' Revealed. Self-Balancing People Mover (My title: Electric Scooter with gyros)
Drudge ^ | 12-02-01 | Drudge

Posted on 12/02/2001 5:00:19 PM PST by Timm

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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
I'd far sooner a 290 pound fatso walk into me at walking speeds than to be rolled into by a 150 pound person on an equally massive hunk of (hard) metal. (Tell me about that 20 pounds again, is that flashlight batteries and a magnesium frame?)
81 posted on 12/02/2001 7:07:57 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: Post Toasties
Considering the wild claims he is making,

We will not know if he is making wild claims until we see the gadget. I would think it unlikely that a wealthy professional inventor would suddenly start making claims that would be disproved so easily, if false.

82 posted on 12/02/2001 7:08:18 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: SamAdams76
an inventor is set to unveil an electric scooter being billed as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars

and I saw this statement from the article

83 posted on 12/02/2001 7:08:56 PM PST by billbears
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To: dr gene scott
"... No, I'm not a NEWBIE - just changed handles. .."

OK, what was your last name, and why did you take the good Doctors' name? Inquiring minds want to know!

FYI, I discovered Dr. Gene in 1984 when I got my first satellite-dish. He could be dead by now, but the satellite feed keeps going out and collecting money. Stay well...FRegards

84 posted on 12/02/2001 7:10:28 PM PST by gonzo
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To: Timm

Don't think scooter; Think technology.

85 posted on 12/02/2001 7:12:27 PM PST by Semper911
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
It sounds to me that this Dean Kamen is convinced that most people are just a little bit stupid, and require 'giant' intellects (such as his, of course) to tell them how to live their lives, the hell with reality.
86 posted on 12/02/2001 7:12:54 PM PST by Post Toasties
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To: Post Toasties
But neither can the segway (sic).

Looking at the article again, I think you're right, what with it looking like a lawnmower and all. I guess stair-climbing will have to wait for the Mark II.

87 posted on 12/02/2001 7:14:39 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: Timesink

E-Bike

These things @ $1000 are a competitor and they ain't exactly selling like hot cakes.

88 posted on 12/02/2001 7:15:28 PM PST by VRWC For Truth
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
I don't want to unnecessarily talk the segway (sic) down. I just don't see it taking over in our society like Kamen predicts.
89 posted on 12/02/2001 7:19:33 PM PST by Post Toasties
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To: Timm
WOW, A SCOOTER. THIS IS THE GREATEST INVENTION OF ALL TIME!!!

Well maybe not.

90 posted on 12/02/2001 7:22:43 PM PST by The Thin Man
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To: Timm
Electric wheelchairs, electric assist devices, motorcycles, mopeds/scooters, telescopes, binoculars, guns, and even high end bicycles have not dropped drastically in price

The wheelchairs and assist devices are not mass market devices; motorcycles and mopeds are not high tech (they are at the same tech level as cars), and neither are bicycles; optical telescopes and binoculars were high tech at the time of Isaac Newton, not not; guns are 600 years old, and overregulated.

I think that you and some of the others on this thread have been confused about what this things function is -- it is NOT a car substitute, what it is is a LEG substitute, or leg assist device.

91 posted on 12/02/2001 7:23:24 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: billbears
Whether anyone likes the idea of this device or not, they do have to admit that it is an engineering marvel, even sight unseen (picture doesn't show much). It flippin runs all day on five cents of electricity at a comfortable walking speed? Make larger industrail versions and use solid state electronics for steering you would have some very cheap cargo movers in airports, factories, etc.. My prediction is that there is actually going to be thousands of unattended uses for these things once the technogy is exploited. Makes a great base for robots, hee, hee...
92 posted on 12/02/2001 7:24:59 PM PST by BushCountry
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To: Big Bunyip
Can you get one with a gun rack?

Sure, but where I come from they call it a shoulder.

93 posted on 12/02/2001 7:25:26 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
If this invention could make the Postal Service more efficient, terrific. But if bicycles already exist, and are more efficient than walking, why doesn't the Postal Service use them? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?
94 posted on 12/02/2001 7:25:51 PM PST by freebilly
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Tell me about that 20 pounds again, is that flashlight batteries and a magnesium frame?

Very likely.

95 posted on 12/02/2001 7:28:14 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: freebilly
why doesn't the Postal Service use them

Machines don't call in sick, don't take breaks, don't need health insurance, and behave exactly the same. That is why 1 guy in a mail truck is more cost effective and efficient that 30 guys doing the same job on scooters. This thing will go the way of the pet rock.

96 posted on 12/02/2001 7:31:01 PM PST by VRWC For Truth
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To: Post Toasties
It sounds to me that this Dean Kamen is convinced that most people are just a little bit stupid, and require 'giant' intellects (such as his, of course) to tell them how to live their lives, the hell with reality.

On FR on the other hand, we have you to tell us how to live our lives.

97 posted on 12/02/2001 7:31:04 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: Semper911
Why this guy wearing a helmet if the gadget "can't fall"?
98 posted on 12/02/2001 7:31:45 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: Post Toasties
I just don't see it taking over in our society like Kamen predicts.

Any entrepeneur needs to be a salesman. Salesmen need hype. Kamen seems to be an entrepeneur, as well as an inventor. As to what will happen in society in 30 years, only the Shadow knows.

99 posted on 12/02/2001 7:34:11 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Do you own stock in IT, or are you normally defensive?
100 posted on 12/02/2001 7:34:29 PM PST by freebilly
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