Segway's Breakdown

Wired Magazine ^ | March 2003 | Gary Rivlin

[discostu]

That would be choppers, or maybe even crotch rockets. Regulation motorcycles are cheaper than cars (by a lot, little 450s with no excitement factor go for around what a Segway costs) and about the same noise level. Which underscores part of what's different about the Segway, there's no gradiants there's only the highpriced gee whiz model. A $300 version with two caster wheels added for balance (front and rear), throttle and steering ala the grocery store electric carts, and none of those expensive gyros would be almost as cool and have all of the same practicle applications (assuming there are any).

[PJ-Comix]

You're a brave pioneer. If the product already exists, perhaps you could make a few bucks as a spokesperson. Snappy slogans are forming in my mind...

How about this: "When your a** is on your mind then try Wipe-Eaze.".... HEY! I think I came up with the PERFECT name for that product.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

Why buy a segway when you can get an electric scooter for 1/10th the price. Better yet, how about a bicycle?

[Way2Serious]

They're expensive, noisy, dangerous, make you look like a criminal or a fool. But I assume they're fun. How is that different from a Segway, other than the noisy and criminal part?

The Segway would be more analogous to an electric moped than a motorcycle. The moped, like a fat girl on a date, might be a lot of fun, but you don't want your friends to see you out with one.

[Orbiting_Rosie's_Head]

[zoyd]

A forward-falling crash at 12 mph could be fatal. The rider's feet and probably his hands would be caught up in the handlebars; he might take the impact on his head.

My God, have Americans all become totally risk-averse?!! Geez, when I was a kid, I had this thing called a BMX bicycle. I could go well over 12 mph. I could do upwards of 30 mph, and I'd PURPOSELY go find JUMPS to HAVE FUN.

This hysteria about how 'unsafe' the Segway is makes me laugh. I wonder what catty, sarcastic comments the 'automobile' would have gotten here at FR if it were a new invention.

If you're worried about death from a 12 mph 'crash', then don't ever try running. God forbid you trip on a shoelace at 12 mph.

zoyd

[husky ed]

The headline should have read Segway's First Product Liability Lawsuit

[Vinnie]

There are plenty of indoor settings where the ability to move at 4x the speed of walking would pay for one of these things fairly quickly.

Good thought.

It needs a trailer hitch also.(and optional trailer)

[PackerBoy]

Well, I disagree with your view of motorcycles. But that's not important.

What i think IS important for any business venture to succeed is to gain an objective view of its potential market. I think, if you stopped 1,000 people on the street and let then take a test ride, you would not find more than 1 or 2 people who were interested (given the Segway's limitations and price). Then show those people a video of them riding a Segway (illustrating the high geek factor involved) and even they would drop out.

The Segway failed as an Everyman's transportation device long before the first one ever hit the street.

[PackerBoy]

You just made me laugh out loud.

[Tax Government]

If you're worried about death from a 12 mph 'crash', then don't ever try running. God forbid you trip on a shoelace at 12 mph.

A little sarcasm to start the day off, eh? I can outrun you on a unicycle anytime. And I'm an old man.

[el_chupacabra]

Hello Sharper Image Catatlogue