The Segway
- Thread starter ddefina
- Start date
HowRich???
TryThis!!!...scroll down to Video
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/kamen_gma010313.html
MoreReading...
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TryThis!!!...scroll down to Video
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/kamen_gma010313.html
MoreReading...
http://www.thenewforestnet.co.uk/alternative/newforest-alt/jan12it.htm
He has all the money ....I WOULD EVER NEED!!!
....as always,
GoodInvesting, Rocky
I think this invention has been way overhyped. I also think that in the consumer market it will end up as more of a luxury toy than a replacement for personal transportation. First, what if you need to carry cargo? It looks like you'll have to carry it on your back, so forget a trip to the store. Also, it seems its speeds are only about that of a light jog, so if you need to get somewhere, even if it's nearby, you'll only be able to get there slightly faster than if you walked, which most people won't have the time to take that long to get to their destinations. Third, you won't want to use it when the weather is bad unless you enjoy getting rained on. Fourth, because it won't replace automobiles, it is highly dubious that entirely new roadways will be built for them, meaning that you'll have to use whatever existing sidewalks or bike paths are available, and those aren't always available everywhere. Finally, much like a bike I suppose you'll have to lock it up to a bike rack or something similar when you get to your destination. Then you're risking getting it stolen just like a bike, and I certainly am not keen on getting a $3000 possession stolen as easily as a bicycle can be.
I stand corrected. However, that's still only twice the speed of jogging and slower than the speed with which one could get to the same destination on a bicycle, let alone an automobile. 17 mph is fine for leisure activities, but in today's fast paced world where time is at a premium, that just won't cut it for the majority of people who have errands to run and things to do.
Let's not forget that its the 1st generation for this product. Within the next five years the price and weight of the Segway should come down. I'm guessing that the gyroscope needs to be of a certain weight based on the size of the person its balancing. It may be possible to have lighter weight models that have limitations in how heavy a person they could transport.
In addition battery technology, which seems to be woefully slow in advancing, will hopefully make some breakthroughs in that timeframe as well. Batteries are a significant part of the weight. I believe the major weight difference between the small models and the industrial model is battery weight. The weight range between the models is 60-65 lbs on the low end to ~80 lbs for the industrial model.
Once they re-coup development costs and gain economies of scale the price should also come down. They may also license the product to a lower cost producer. Initially targeting commercial customers that can realize cost savings immediately despite its high price tag is a good move.
Of course its not a comparable product but maybe we can hope for advances along the lines of the laser printer. My first laser printer (HP LJ IIIp) cost me > $1,100. And that price got me 4 pages per minute and 300 dpi resolution. You can get better specs now for $200.
Future models may be more off-road and have small pneumatic tires and a crude suspension. I'm wondering why its electric motor can't be adapted to a bicycle to increase riding range. Without the gyroscope and with a more limited range it probably isn't very large or heavy. Many possibilities exist.
And of course if AMZN is involved in its distribution they may sell the first models for $1,500 and make up the loss on volume.
In addition battery technology, which seems to be woefully slow in advancing, will hopefully make some breakthroughs in that timeframe as well. Batteries are a significant part of the weight. I believe the major weight difference between the small models and the industrial model is battery weight. The weight range between the models is 60-65 lbs on the low end to ~80 lbs for the industrial model.
Once they re-coup development costs and gain economies of scale the price should also come down. They may also license the product to a lower cost producer. Initially targeting commercial customers that can realize cost savings immediately despite its high price tag is a good move.
Of course its not a comparable product but maybe we can hope for advances along the lines of the laser printer. My first laser printer (HP LJ IIIp) cost me > $1,100. And that price got me 4 pages per minute and 300 dpi resolution. You can get better specs now for $200.
Future models may be more off-road and have small pneumatic tires and a crude suspension. I'm wondering why its electric motor can't be adapted to a bicycle to increase riding range. Without the gyroscope and with a more limited range it probably isn't very large or heavy. Many possibilities exist.
And of course if AMZN is involved in its distribution they may sell the first models for $1,500 and make up the loss on volume.
