Idea for Future Segs

[Eric Payne]

The rightful owner of the unit I purchased, and found was stolen, has finally arranged to have his unit packed and shipped back home to him in FL. I'm, actually, glad it's going to be on its way home - the owner was having difficulty finding a shipping firm that would actually pack and ship.

But that got me to thinking about stolen Segs again, and wondering what could be done with future production. How difficult would it be, I wonder, to incorporate in the motherboard/mechanics of future models a GPS chip, which is always powered (as long as batteries have charge) so that when an owner discovers their Seg missing, they only have to go online, launch the GPS locator, and immediately know where their unit is? I'd think it could also be rigged in such a way that, should the GPS chip be removed, the unit is completely inoperable, and would need to be returned to INC for service.

I'd think cost for such a modification would be minimal. I also don't believe it would hinder/hamper operation of the Seg.

And, yes, I know the serial number of units with INC is great, and was the integral link needed to discover the true owner of the i67 we purchased, but it's not instantaneous, and if the unit is just dumped somewhere when the thief can't get it to work, the registration is meaningless. With a GPS chip, the owner could know, immediately, the exact location of the unit.

Eric Payne
Glendale, AZ

[cruiter]

Just like a cell phone, it could be incorporated in the Infokey and turned on by INC. I think your idea is a great one. I wonder why they haven't done it yet? If they could do it that easy, it'd be worth it to me for peace of mind to purchase another infokey.

The rightful owner of the unit I purchased, and found was stolen, has finally arranged to have his unit packed and shipped back home to him in FL. I'm, actually, glad it's going to be on its way home - the owner was having difficulty finding a shipping firm that would actually pack and ship.

But that got me to thinking about stolen Segs again, and wondering what could be done with future production. How difficult would it be, I wonder, to incorporate in the motherboard/mechanics of future models a GPS chip, which is always powered (as long as batteries have charge) so that when an owner discovers their Seg missing, they only have to go online, launch the GPS locator, and immediately know where their unit is? I'd think it could also be rigged in such a way that, should the GPS chip be removed, the unit is completely inoperable, and would need to be returned to INC for service.

I'd think cost for such a modification would be minimal. I also don't believe it would hinder/hamper operation of the Seg.

And, yes, I know the serial number of units with INC is great, and was the integral link needed to discover the true owner of the i67 we purchased, but it's not instantaneous, and if the unit is just dumped somewhere when the thief can't get it to work, the registration is meaningless. With a GPS chip, the owner could know, immediately, the exact location of the unit.

Eric Payne
Glendale, AZ

[joe]

You know, the GPS is a one-way thing - yes, the receiver in the Segway could localize himself, but there's no way to send that information back. To accomplish this you need a cell phone network or something like that.

And did you know, some smart people from the Czech Republic already actualized this:
http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?p=120912#post120912

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Johannes

[polo_pro]

GPS can be two way. If you have the right equipment! And this equipment costs $60 (plus $0.35/day) So for the price of $180, you can make your own solution that'll protect your segway for a year. Check out www.mologogo.com for more details.

I will point out that there are some challenges as to how to hide a cell phone on a segway. Also, that cell phone has to be charged, so you really are only getting protection in week long increments. After a week with no attention, this solution won't work.

ps - I used this to track myself while I went down the coast on a long distance glide of 400 miles a year ago. Everything is real time, so you could even follow your thief after he's commited the crime!

[joe]

GPS can be two way.

Mologogo runs on mobile phones and uses the phone network to send the position data (which is received one-way from the GPS satellites). Do I speak outlandish?

I will point out that there are some challenges as to how to hide a cell phone on a segway. Also, that cell phone has to be charged

As I posted 8/2006, I've seen it first hand how they integrated it into their XTs.

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Johannes

[cruiter]

I was thinking of something like the LOJACK (not sure of spelling) concept. Could be turned on by INC through INFO key and they could send cordinates to local law enforcement. As the segs aren't registered by DNV's Inc would be the legal owner authority.