Segway

(votes: +77)

Its amazing, it has only two wheels yet it stands up on its own, and its called… a BICYCLE!
Enter Dean Kamen, a designer who took the massively successful 200 year old bicycle concept, moved the wheels so that they are along side each other and had to add thousands of dollars worth of state of the art electronics to stop it falling over.
The end result is a product that is to Ben Hur’s chariot, what a Lada is to a Lamborghini.
The Segway would be my choice for the worst designed tech. product of all time, because it is the epitome of the proverbial sledgehammer used to crack a nut. Good design is about elegance and simplicity, not unnecessary technical prowess.

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30 Responses to “Segway”

Erika Says:
September 4th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I got to ride one of these at CaBoom a few years ago and it was one of coolest gadget of all time, in my book. I have been riding motorcycles, bicycles, cars and boats years and years now and this is by far the most interesting gadget out there. It is propelled forward by you simply leaning slightly into it. It is so effortless and clean. I have to say that I am sorry that the Segway never caught on. I would love to live in a community where it is safe and accepted to own one of these.
WTPhuqet Says:
September 20th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Seriously, if you want this site to be taken seriously, identify yourself with your opinions. You’re an ASS. A Segway is not a bicycle. And bicycles don’t stand on their own, idiot. Bicycles require space and a certain degree of physical fitness to ride. Bicycles require significant vehicle and pedestrian spearation to be ridden safely. Segways are designed to minize the space and physical aquity necessary to ride and to utilize existing pedestrian infrastructure.
admin Says:
September 21st, 2007 at 12:07 am
Yup, sorry the Segway is a fantastic success, the streets (sorry sidewalks) from Shanghai to Seattle are simply awash with them.
WTPhuquet Says:
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Glad to see your rebuttles are as articulate as your opinions. Your list is 10 Biggest Tech Product Failures, yet you fail to qualify what success would be. And with your inclusion of the Space Suttle, you certinaly aren’t referring to “commercial success.” The Segway successfuly brought to market a package of technology that has been field deployed by several law enforcement agenscies around the globe. Beat cops love this thing. At $5,000 did Dean Kamen expect everyone to buy one at launch? No fucking way. But at some point in time when the technology becomes commoditized on the backs of industry, government, and early adopters you will see more. In fact, I saw two on the road yesterday (off road X-C version. By your criteria, the SR-71 was a technological failuer, it was decomissioned, never spawned a successor, and not everone owned one. Still aren’t open to identifying yourself beyond ‘admin?’
Stephen Kling Says:
September 26th, 2007 at 11:17 am
There’s no doubt the Segway is a technical tour d’force. I marvelled at one in a Segway dealership (yes, there is apparently a Segway dealership in Columbus, Ohio (US). The “interface” was truly wonderful, a joy, like magic. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out who would use one besides a handicapped person with an odd malady that allowed one to stand and balance, but not walk.

Why? Well, they can’t go on the sidewalk in a real city: too many slower pedestrians to run over. They can’t go in the street, since the top speed seems to be about 11 mph, and they would be taxicab bait. Maybe they’re for shopping malls? Futuristic office building developments with a half-mile between buildings? Maybe cardiac-impaired patients who can’t exert themselves? Go figure.

I agree with the writer: good design must satisfy a real need or solve a problem. The Segway is a solution looking for a problem to solve.
Tony Says:
October 15th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Funny this was included. I will let others debate the validity of the Segway itself but I recently heard a talk by Dean Kamen shere he made a similar point as admin did here. He talked about a Chinese invention from around 2600 BC called a South Pointing Chariot. It was basically a chariot trailer with a pointing figure on the top that was attached to the axle via a differential gear. The gearing was such that once pointing sorth, no matter which way you turned teh chariot the pointer would still point south. It was used in wars over the desert where there was little natrual landmarks to go by. His point was that the chinese many years before (according to his story) already knew the basics of making a compass but had not applied them to that purpose. So the South Pointing Chariot was the ’sledgehammer used to crack a nut’ as the admin suggest the Segway is - ironic
Mike K. Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 12:39 am
WTPhuquet, you’re abusive. Stop personally attacking the author. You act as though he wields some kind of power by expressing his opinion. He was kind enough to allow comments on this site; if you disagree, simply say so and move on.

Why do you want his identity, anyway? What are you going to do, find out where he lives and egg his house or something?

And, this is just a suggestion, but before you verbally attack someone, try running your words through a spell-check: minize, aquity, agenscies, commoditized (what the hell does that mean, to mix vigorously with commodity?). At least you spelled idiot correctly.
Simon Says:
November 18th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
It’s like walking, but without all the dignity.
Roman Says:
January 24th, 2008 at 4:34 am
Segway is briliant technical solution which allows you to …. ??? What’s practical purpose of this anyway? Just little of fun and make yourself look in. If you are bothered with walking buy electric wheelchair. At least it doesn’t hit the ground with you when batteries are gone.
Grant Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’ve ridden Segways in Chicago and Paris. The 2nd gen in particular is a great vehicle with leaning for direction as well as velocity. Not sure that it’s a tech failure … it works very well. Unlike, for instance, the Newton. Now that was a tech failure.
tony-e30 Says:
April 20th, 2008 at 1:37 am
The Segway is a failure based upon the expectations placed upon this product prior to launch. Code named “Cinnamon”, the Segway was touted as a product that would revolutionize personal transportation as we know it. As an alternative/replacement for pedestrians it was originally expected to be available worldwide for, if I remember correctly, under $200 U.S. Falling mildly short of these two major expectations has made the Segway a tech product failure. Not a tech failure, but a tech product failure.
bene Says:
May 14th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I agree with the author in that the Segway is a commercial failure, but to call it the worst designed tech product of all time is misguided and pretty dumb. Comparing it to the bicycle is also pretty dumb. That was not Mr. Kamen’s intent with this invention. The Segway was actually a biproduct of the development of http://www.dekaresearch.com/ibot.html. The technology uses gyroscopic technology to auto balance itself. If you failed to look the link the product displayed there is a wheelchair that can ascend and decend stairs and elevate to aid disabled.

While the Segway is a commercial failure, it is a design marvel, and an important part of the process to creating a truly revolutionary product. The reason the Segway failed…because there is a free alternative that works pretty much just as well, not because of a design flaw.
Spartan117 Says:
May 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
it works but it is overcomplicated
Edgar Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
People still call Design to kitsch, it seems, if they think the Segway’s a marvel, and not a stupid waste of money.

Design is about solving problems, not promising to replace pedestrian traffic, and ending up with an overpriced toy.

Render stable an inherently unstable object by means of gadgetry, that’s just plain STUPID.
Pinky Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
As far as I can tell, segways are an intermediate between biking and walking. There is a market for such a vehicle in my country (NZ) but it has already been filled by kid’s razor scooters; it is quite common to see yuppies and university students riding them around the city. There are two segways in my city and both of them are owned by disabled people.

I can see great appeal in such a machine for the disabled (it is much more dignified and mobile than a wheelchair or mobility scooter) but what’s the point if you’re able bodied? Just saving yourself the effort of walking?
Edgar Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:59 am
… And about the “less space” con job:

People on wheeled vehicles won’t ride packed up in line, never mind the “wonder” Gyro Gizmo, people’s reflexes HAVE a limit.

So, the said less space goes out the window, as it will occupy the space of… A Scooter!

Remember those? S c o o t e r s? Duh!

Far cheaper, some can be packed, less stupid waste of raw materials as no, Planet Earth DOES NOT belong to nerd Tech Hipsters alone.
Seattlite Says:
July 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I commute daily 17 miles round trip on an i2 Segway in Seattle. I originally purchased it for my wife who has Multiple Sclerosis and cannot walk any distance, but can stand in place just like an able-bodied person. The Segway has been a MAJOR positive life changer for her - she is able to cruise along at a clip equivalent to a fast jog (12 mph) for great distances at a time (miles).

That said, I am able-bodied and started riding the Segway to work for the following reasons (among others):
It uses no gasoline and doesn’t have direct emissions (we have hydroelectric power here by the way).
It is as fast as riding the city bus (I don’t stop every other block or get stuck in traffic)
It really doesn’t take any more room than a person on the sidewalk (the total footprint is 24″x24″)
It is actually as quick if not quicker than riding a bike over my commute (lots of hilly terrain over my 8 miles)
Parking is free in downtown Seattle (anywhere there is a bike rack - I have parking)
It is SERIOUSLY fun to glide on
It is quiet and relaxing
It is a positive attention getter with most people - they really are curious and interested in it with gas prices these days - I generally have at least one positive encounter a day.

Is it overly complicated? Only if it were unreliable which it isn’t.

Oh - and we have 2 segways in my family now: the i2 that I commute on and my wife uses in urban settings on weekends and an x2 my wife uses when we go “hiking” in the woods. Good stuff.

I find that most people that don’t appreciate the Segway think it is an alternative to walking and only capable of walking speeds -but I know I can’t walks 20 miles at 10-12 mph over hilly terrain consistently - my alternative would be some other kind of vehicle and now we are talking about things that take more space, are inconvenient to park (including) and/or burn fuel, and just aren’t more appealing to me.

So - on a personal level - it is a great success. Given the increase in sales lately and the adoption of Segways by various government agencies (police, public utiility meter readers, etc.), my guess is that we are gonna’ start seeing more and more of them.

It suffers from a high entry price but not if you are comparing it to the depreciation on a car, cost of fuel, and urban parking…

In any event - it is not a failure in my book.
cmonkey Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Most of the negative comments I see are from people who just don’t ‘get it’.
All they see is a snapshot of someone on a gadget. There is just no common frame of reference to work from so what’s the easiest thing to do? Point you’re finger at the guy who looks different and make fun of him.
There are advantages and disadvantages to ALL of our modes of transportation when compared to each other. Speed vs time vs efficiency vs exercise…. pick the right tool for the job! Ride 5 miles on bike to work for exercise, fine. But do it in a suit when there’s no shower? I don’t think so, I’ll take my Segway. Take it 2 miles to the train station, 50 miles to downtown, then ride around visiting customers (not paying $35 for parking at each of the three locations suits me just fine!). Then there’s not paying for the 5 gallons of gas, putting up with the traffic jams and dealing with road rage and stupid drivers!

Want some information on a great product? Watch this:
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/9

Like the newton was; the segway is a great product. The marketing just isn’t there because the acceptance isn’t there yet. Everyone poo-pooed the Newton; “What’s wrong with a pen an paper?” I’ll bet all those folks have a black berry, palm or packet pc now. And the cell phone? Remember when that was ‘a rich man’s toy’?

Open your mind. Those of us who have Segways got them for a variety of reasons that I hope you can understand after you watch Dean Kamen’s speech.

By the way, I’ve had a Segway for over three years, and have ridden over 7,500 miles that would have otherwise been done in my car. I still ride my bike, take trains, fly in planes, and wear out shoes walking. The Segway is just another option that gets me around this crazy world, and it’s fun too!

If you see me on my Segway, wave, I just might let you try it!

David
Barikada Says:
July 17th, 2008 at 3:22 am
For everyone who says these have no use: Paramedics at Edmonton, Alberta’s festivals and football games are using them now.
jl Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I wouldn’t exactly call it a failure but nor would it be considered a success. I say it’s a specialized and (expensive) product for a specialized use. I’ve noticed for mall security, rentals in tourist areas, as another commenter wrote for people that have problems being ambulatory, I can see it perhaps being used for USPS workers-how does it do on hills with a person fully loaded with mailbags-it could substitute for the USPS gas guzziling truck that does the stop and go to each curbside mailbox (if that were the case seems like USPS could get rid of the requirement for curbside mailboxes, they could be at the house or the front door) and hopefully it won’t make people lazier to get off their fat butt and do some walking. I find Kamen’s prototype tho for changing it for people in wheelchairs they could be upright (standing) and be able to go on stairs, now that would be a real significant invention. But this-a small success not particularly a huge failure.
maximilien Says:
May 9th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Wow the editor is a complete retard, this is not a bicycle just like it is not a car or a boat. You can not ride a car, boat, plane or a train in a public setting ie a mall or a school. What makes it a failure? The fact the you can not personally afford one? The company is stonger than even and have made many different models, they even have a revolutionary model of the classic wheel chair; which not only allows them to get around but it also alows them to go up and down stairs and even elevates the rider in case they are attempting to reach a high item like a book case or a tall cabinet.
Tony Porter Says:
May 28th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I would give my left knacker for one
Edwin Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I’m not going to comment on opinions. I’ll just say that I am one of those “handicapped” people that can stand, but cannot walk any distance. The Segway, while not designed specifically for me, seems to have been exactly designed for me to use. Get the difference?I can make it about a block before the pain is so numbing that I must sit or lie down. I had a chance to borrow one to use at a Trade Show for 3 days, 2 years ago as I was on the Show Committee. I was actually able to cut back on my pain medications, and I think I was by far more “productive” than the other committee members during the show. During that show, I did not once hit, drive into or over anybody, and let me tell you, the show was packed! 90% thought that it was neat that I could get around much faster than normal (I had my cane velcor’d to the control bar), and 10% called it the “work of the devil”.

Take from that what you will. I am a firm believer that the Segway is a boon to ALL handicapped people, including ones that sit in a wheelchair. They should get off their butts as the human body actually operates and recouperates faster in a standing position than in a sitting position. Those who are sitting in a wheelchair with “hip” problems can use a Segway. Those who are parapelegic can use a Segway (it’s been proven!). Those who have no legs can even use a Segway - there’s a model designed for “legless-disabled” people to use that is much better for use around the house without having to remodel the house for the very much larger wheelchairs. And these people are actually much more mobile, agile and able to get around to more places, parks, etc as the Segway does not have to stay on pavement like a wheelchair would (or sink…)

I could go on…
Бapaxa Says:
July 13th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Отличнейший и актуальный блог! Постоянный житель моего РСС ридера :)
J. Lilly Says:
August 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
The Segway is a neat gadget, no doubt. I convinced an off-duty tour guide at Disney World to let me tool around a little on his, and it was a lot of fun.
That being said, I agree with those who say that, for the vast majority of the general public, the Segway is a solution in search of a problem. If they would become wildly popular, they might be more readily accepted, but the price tag (a third of the cost of a decent basic car) is a problem. For folks who live in urban / suburban areas and have nice sidewalks to use, they might be great. For everyone else…
I’ve often wondered why someone doesn’t produce a knock-off version with a third wheel on a 360 degree swivel mount. You could ditch the expensive electronics and balance system while still maintaining the narrow footprint, speed, and most of the maneuverability. Make the materials cheaper, but mold them in bright colors (like Crocs) with parts that can be interchanged (blue deck, green fenders, red column, black grips, etc.) Then you might be able to sell them for $200. Not nearly as cool, but much more likely to be mass-adopted. What do you think?
BadBoy Says:
August 25th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Читал про это уже на каком то другом сайте, но у вас намного прикольней написано ;)
livingdots Says:
December 4th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Haha! WTPhuquet nerdrage is hilarious.
James Says:
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:12 am
Did Segway fail, or was it the journalists who failed when they gushed all kinds of unrealistic expectations about it when it was first made available?
Robert Says:
March 16th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
The Segway was a piece of absolutely brilliant engineering. It was also a dorky product. And no surprise, its sales are almost non-existent compared to the amount of people who could potentially use one.

I remember all the hype before it was revealed to the public. When I first saw it I just laughed. A pair of roller skates (or a unicycle with training wheels) could do the same and more for most people. And with a pair of roller skates you can still hold an umbrella and a bottle of whatever while moving down the street.

If Dean Kamen really wanted to replace the car, make a small, cheap maching that a human can fly.
MCmellonhead Says:
August 20th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Too true, the segway failed for the main reason that it just looks so retarded! I mean come on, who could honestly roll around town on this bad boy and think that he looks cool lol..

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