HT skids wildly on stones

[mzokc]

It is critical that Segway riders avoid small round stones that are used for natural driveways or paths. I was traveling slowly across the driveway, but a layer of stones had spilled over onto the sidewalk.

The Segway HT suddenly turned right (note the skid,) I safely jumped off as the HT wildly spun its tires and tilted back. I held onto the handle and pressed the red mode button to stop the HT tires from spinning. I had just finished a demo and fortunately would not let the rider cross the driveway.

http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/mzokc/segslip.jpg

You can sample how dangerous the stones are by sliding your shoe across the sidewalk. The stones will spin under your shoe.

Mark Z in OKC

[pam]

This is a version of the old roll over the wooden dowel trick. You lose traction, and when you lose traction the computer/gyro combination doesn't know what to do. It's particularly bad when the stones are not embedded in something. In other words, if the stones are embedded in the soil or the sand (like I have on the way to the store), you can still get traction. But if they're on a surface that has no traction itself, like a concrete driveway, you can get into deep kimchee - Glad it turned out alright, Mark, and that you weren't hurt.
Pam

[mzokc]

Pam, It was a good demo of what to avoid. I never felt out of control because it is natural to step off in such a situation, but as I held onto the HT, the wheels kept spinning. It happened so fast that I pressed the mode button before the HT would have stopped on its own. The driveway stones did not slide during the shoe test, only the single layer of stones on the sidewalk. It was not a situation one would find in a well maintained neighborhood!

Being able to share this unique situation helps everyone.

Mark

[pt]

i've slipped on those little pebbley things when i jog...my running shoes aren't great for that type of terrain. they're basically marbles.

cheers,
pt

http://www.bookofseg.com

[yessir]

Thanks mzokc.
I've been wondering about those millions of acorns in our back yard.
Just finished 8 hrs practice and am on the yellow key now.

[mzokc]

quote:Originally posted by yessir

Thanks mzokc.
I've been wondering about those millions of acorns in our back yard.
Just finished 8 hrs practice and am on the yellow key now.
Let us know the problem those acorns create! It took several days before I tried the red key, it's great for the streets if I am careful with the turns!

Mark Z in OKC