rec.autos.simulators

by **Stephen Ferguso** » Thu, 06 Dec 2001 17:54:54

Give or take a few flames, it's also an interesting discussion. Some of us,
I think, just hoped that "Ginger" or "IT" would actually be something
revolutionary, like a better fuel cell, or a much improved petrol motor...
something other than an overly complicated motorscooter.

I notice in their cost-comparison on the Segway website (where they show you
how much moeny you will save by buying a Segway) they fail to mention the
steep purchase price, and nowhere do they mention that NiMH batteries go
belly up after about a year of use. And if a low density notebook NiMH
battery costs 200 dollars, well....

Stephen

by **Stephen Ferguso** » Thu, 06 Dec 2001 17:55:57

> > There was a major point made about this, but I think it's been lost
along
> > the way...

> > It wasn't designed to REPLACE anything in particular. It was designed
to
> > have NEW ways of transportation molded around IT.

> > It wasn't designed to become suddenly invasive the the streets or
> sidewalks
> > of New York.

> > -Larry

> Yea, Cities are going to be desingend around it, right? Give me a break.
:-)

Don't forget to write "IT" when you mention this thing, otherwise you're not
one of the hip guys who are in the know, like Steve Jobs.

Stephen

by **Stephen Ferguso** » Thu, 06 Dec 2001 17:58:35

I'll belive it when I see real world data. Notebook manufacturers promise
500 full-cycle recharges on a LiIon, and nobody I know has ever managed
that. A notebook battery would run the Segway for about 100m. These
batteries are going to be very high density, and *very* expensive.

They're just quoting the cost of the charging electricity coming out of the
wall. Not fair.

Now, a bicycle requires no electricity, has an environmentally friendlier
manufacture and disposal, and doesn't further perpetuate our already overly
sedentary lifestyle.

Stephen

> I don't know, but they supposedly can run on 5 of electricity a day, so I
> suppose the batteries' cost and lifespan will both be large!

> > What's missing in their financial analysis of the "cost benefit" of
their
> > product is the fact that this thing is going to cost $3000. They also
fail
> > to mention that Ni-MH battery packs lose their charge over time. My old
> > NiMh notebook batteries were toast after less than a year of use, and
even
> > my newer LiIon batteries are down to about 60% of their original
capacity
> > after a year of use. Replacing a relatively puny notebook battery is a
200
> > dollar proposition. How much are the fancy batteries in the Segway
(neat
> > name, actually) going to cost?

> > Stephen

by **Stephen Ferguso** » Thu, 06 Dec 2001 18:00:54

The biomechanical engineer steps in to say "I concur". This thing is going
to eat hip and knee joints for breakfast. Nothing like a static posture and
vibration to toast your cartilage.

Again, give me a bicycle or a comfy set of shoes any day.

Stephen

by **Eldre** » Fri, 07 Dec 2001 10:23:36

Question: would the people you have in mind using this *really* have the
coordination to stand up in/on the thing? Serious question. I'd see those
people having problems just balancing THEMSELVES...

Eldred
--
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank - under construction...

Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
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by **Eldre** » Fri, 07 Dec 2001 10:36:12

That won't stop people from stealing it... :( Anyone taking bets on how long
the code takes to crack? Recent discussion on software copy-protection would
tend to suggest "not long"...<g>

Ok, that wasn't in the link I saw. Any idea how that affects the balance of
the thing?

Eldred
--
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank - under construction...

Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
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by **Eldre** » Fri, 07 Dec 2001 10:38:42

Don't get me wrong - I think that wheelchair he invented was a GREAT item. I'm
sure it helps a lot of people lead much better lives. It's just that this
thing seems more like an over-priced toy/conversation piece for yuppies...

Eldred
--
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank - under construction...

Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

by **Kevin F. Gavit** » Fri, 07 Dec 2001 10:56:04

>> I can see it now. Lots of 40 somethings who spend several thousand to
>> avoid walking, then spend several thousand at a gym to do artificial
>> walking. Brilliant.

>> Rafe Mc

> Or combining the two, buying a Ginger with a built-in treadmill.

Hey, cool! You could hook a little generator up to the treadmill, and then
people could use their own muscular energy to power the thing. Finally, man
will be able to move about independant of fossil fuels.

KFG

by **andre** » Sat, 08 Dec 2001 03:04:33

I know plenty of elderly (or simply older, 55+) who can walk but only for short
distances.

OTOH, I also know people who would travel the 6 miles to work by bike if there
were appropriate roads for them.. and possibly by these things. 12 MPH is a
decent speed, 1/2 hour to get to work is reasonable. What if it rains, though?
(rain slicks!?!?)

It is sort of a sad and funny thought, though, at some old lady on the thing
having a dizzy spell, holding on for dear life, and driving and turning in
short uncontrollable bursts backward and forward...

> >> I don't see a reason
> >> for anyone to become that lazy, unless they are required to walk long
> >> distances for a job.

> >That's your own shortsightedness - what about handicapped people? How about
> >people with heart conditions?

> Question: would the people you have in mind using this *really* have the
> coordination to stand up in/on the thing? Serious question. I'd see those
> people having problems just balancing THEMSELVES...

> Eldred
> --
> Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
> Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
> GPLRank - under construction...

> Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
> with experience...
> Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

by **The Other Larr** » Sun, 09 Dec 2001 05:45:19

That's the plan. Hey, I didn't think it up :)

-Larry

> > There was a major point made about this, but I think it's been lost
along
> > the way...

> > It wasn't designed to REPLACE anything in particular. It was designed
to
> > have NEW ways of transportation molded around IT.

> > It wasn't designed to become suddenly invasive the the streets or
> sidewalks
> > of New York.

> > -Larry

> Yea, Cities are going to be desingend around it, right? Give me a break.
:-)

by **Eldre** » Mon, 10 Dec 2001 00:53:34

>I know plenty of elderly (or simply older, 55+) who can walk but only for
>short
>distances.

>OTOH, I also know people who would travel the 6 miles to work by bike if
>there
>were appropriate roads for them.. and possibly by these things. 12 MPH is a
>decent speed, 1/2 hour to get to work is reasonable. What if it rains,
>though?
>(rain slicks!?!?)

I wish I *could* bike to work. I'd be in a lot better shape...

See how silly it seems? :-)

Eldred
--
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. R.I.P. 1951-2001
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPLRank - under construction...

Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

rec.autos.simulators

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends

Segway Legends