Ladies and gentlemen, i present to you the SEGWAY PT.(personal transporter)
note: this is just a basic model, i shall link more pics of what you get when you pay more for one of these babies.
What does it do you might ask? Bake cookies, iron your clothes, end world hunger. WoooHooo. All these and more, it cannot do. It's not a miracle machine, it's just some cool ride you can use around town, but if you did it in malaysia you'd probably get mugged. haha. The first time i've seen one of these bad boys being used is during a preview of the life of a google employee, like 6 years back perhaps? Man, the dudes were riding these things at the office. Seriously, how much cooler can a job get, the guy on the segway was riding pass the hallway, and the doors to the offices were open, and we could see from short glimpses that the workers were either just hanging about at the espresso machine, or playing ps2 and xbox(at that time). There was also paper aeroplanes flying about, giggles and laughter echoed in the background. T_T man i want a job like that.
Anyways, back to our topic. The Segway was introduced to the world in 2001, 3rd of Dec. I shall share a clipping from wiki which i read prior to posting this, cause honestly i din know how it worked, just that whichever way you leaned towards, that's where you'd be going to.
'Computers and motors in the base of the device keep the Segway PT upright when powered on with balancing enabled. Users lean forward to go forward, lean back to go backward, and turn by using a "Lean Steer" handlebar, leaning it left or right. Segway PTs are driven by electric motors at up to 12.5 miles per hour (20.1 km/h). Gyroscopic sensors are used to detect tilting of the device which indicates a departure from perfect balance. Motors driving the wheels are commanded as needed to bring the PT back into balance.'
The mighty Segway in action.
Steve Jobs claimed that it would be as significant as the personal computer. WOAH big expectation to live up to. But did it? It was a pretty big thing at that time, a cool toy for those who had to money to splurge on it. But was it really a good investment. Price range i found online for it was between $5350 and $7200 USD. ZOMGWTFBBQPORK! I could get a car with that money, atleast a second hand one. So, it works like a scooter but it cost like 17 PS3s? (you shall buy a ps3, ps3s are the future. you want a ps3). There is a good side to the Segway which is that it runs on electricity stored in lithium ion batteries(the same kinds in your laptops) which can be charged by household sockets. Besides the conventional method of recharging your Seg, it also recharges itself while riding downhill and stopping, and by the Segway being pushed while turned off.(same technology used in Toyota Hybrid cars) So those of you who want to reduce their carbon footprints can rest assured that Segways are environmental friendly. *thumbs up to saving the planet* Captain Planet acknowledges you.
I don't remember Captain Planet being this ugly.
So what do you guys think? Brilliant or Bust. During an interview in March, representatives from Segway said that they have sold an estimated 50,000 units so far. A few clicks on my calculator tells me that it averages at about 600 units being sold per month since it's release. A slow sales report for what John Doerr quoted to be 'fastest company to reach $1 billion in sales'. Will this be the future of transportation? Segways on the street replacing commercial automobiles? Increase in the number of obese cases as result from ultimate laziness coming from Segway riding as appose to walking? Or is it way ahead of it's time to be good for itself? My hope that the Segway picks up and makes it big one day, then it'll be more commercial and common that everyone gets to experience one of these babies.
A few variations of segways out there.
The basic Segway i2, Designed for easy operation over normal terrain.
The x2 Adventure, Specially equipped for outdoor excursions.
The i2 Cargo, Givi® cases provide rugged, removable, lockable storage.
The x2 Golf, Special low-pressure tires barely disturb the turf.THE ULTIMATE SEGWAY! -concept by yewweng, designed by yewweng, approved by yewweng.
By the way, it runs on pure awesomeness, only releases mind controlling chemicals that negates free will and enslaves humanity, no greenhouse gases. So it's safe for the environment. hahaha.
What's your segway?
