Future Versions of Segway HT

[GadgetmanKen]

This is my idea of what the Segway will look like in the future

http://hometown.aol.com/gadget3d/images/kenway.jpg

This is similar to the GEM's from Neverlands. What do your versions look like?

See my other versions below.

"Wouldn't it be cool, if?...is like Folgers in my cup"

[Sunday]

That is so cool looking! I have often thought that it would be neat to have a canopy on the HT, allowing for greater use when raining or snowing. My idea didn't have a seat though. I like the seat idea though, then my daughter could ride along too.


Sunday

[John F]

A covered Segway? Doesn't that just seem to be more of an attempt to make a step into the golfcart industry?

I thought the Segway was an alternate mode for walking, not an alternate mode for riding.

Get a better 'Gauge on things (http://www.stonegauge.com)

[pt]

quote:Originally posted by John F I thought the Segway was an alternate mode for walking, not an alternate mode for riding.

the segway ht is an alternative to taking a car, not walking.

cheers,
pt



======================

segway ht journal:
http://www.bookofseg.com

other stuff:
http://www.flashenabled.com

[John F]

Yes, but how many say they have more exercise by using an HT? It gets them outside, it gets them to see more people....

There is NO way I would root for or even support a covered segway as a pedestrian device... It's a step in the wrong direction. Oh sure, there are the elements out on the Segway but then again Kamen never said that the Segway was for all weather now did he?

Get a better 'Gauge on things (http://www.stonegauge.com)

[pt]

quote:Originally posted by John F--- Yes, but how many say they have more exercise by using an HT? It gets them outside, it gets them to see more people....

i exercise more since i got the ht.

quote:Originally posted by John F--- There is NO way I would root for or even support a covered segway as a pedestrian device... It's a step in the wrong direction. Oh sure, there are the elements out on the Segway but then again Kamen never said that the Segway was for all weather now did he?

i agree. it's really easy to wear a raincoat or a jacket. i use my ht in the rain almost every day and arrive dry.

cheers,
pt

[GyroGo]

When you stand up, leaning forward to go forward and backward to slow, stop and reverse is easy, natural, and intuitive. When you sit down, leaning is a slower reflex, less comfortable, and a lower center of gravity would require a lot more effort than leaning while standing. But staying dry and out of the sun is a good thought.

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[GadgetmanKen]

Or how about these versions. Something for everyone.
http://hometown.aol.com/gadget3d/images/kenwaytrio2.jpg

"Wouldn't it be cool, if?...is like Folgers in my cup"

[John F]

How about no, no, no?

Why not just put a tarp over the thing? It's not like you need to build a sitting verion...

But any version where you have a bubble over the riding platform is going to freak people out when they see it. "What is that coming at me?"

Get a better 'Gauge on things (http://www.stonegauge.com)

[Deviant]

I think his ideas are fine. In fact, there is no reason you couldn't add more lighting to such a vehicle. Of course, I would say that this vehicle should be off-sidewalk and approved for low speed road usage, like golf carts or other low speed EVs. Once drivers are "insulated" from the environment, they'll surely want a music player as well.

There's room in this world for more than one mode of transportation, you know. This one might allow a passenger, yet either way, be far more maneuverable than current golf carts. There is no doubt that many will not buy a current HT because of its exposure to elements. The more options, the better. I love capitalism. Let the public's money vote.

If we all wanted to just be satisfied with whatever we have, there would be no progress.

[GadgetmanKen]

Someone else mentioned a seated version? How about this one. It would have a sliding seat for forward and reverse tilting, where the center of gravity is adjusted each time you slide forward or reverse. It would also have springs on the main post for added comfort on bumpy terrain. It could be made out of PVC pipe too, connected around the shaft and weight distributed at the center of the base so your feet will still push the floor switches on both sides.
http://hometown.aol.com/gadget3d/images/redseatht.jpg

P.S. I haven't mastered this photo editing thing yet :)

"Wouldn't it be cool, if?...is like Folgers in my cup"

[pdantic]

I'm not sure I'd like a covered or seated Segway (hey, it's usually nice here in Colorado!), but the other day I had lunch with "q" from SegwayChat and during our discussion I mentioned that I thought they should look at building in some sort of odometer/speedometer into the Segway. You'd need to make the display larger, of course, and since the left and right wheels can move different distances based on how much you're turning, we figured it would have to be a GPS-based system.

So I think the perfect GUI would be an evolution of the existing one with displays for speed (average, max and current), distance traveled during the current trip, total distance traveled, time and date, and temperature of both ambient air and battery pack. Since you wouldn't want to have people staring at the display all of the time, I think it would be best to have just the current battery status and speed on the display as the device is moving. The rest of the data could be available afterwards. It would be nice to have the ability to download all of this information to a PC or PDA via a Bluetooth connection.

If I remember correctly, doesn't the Toyota Prius Hybrid have a display that can tell you how efficiently you're driving your vehicle? Why not have a display that could tell you when you're at the optimum speed for most efficient battery life under different conditions? For example, if you're heading up a hill it may tell you to back off slightly to avoid consuming too much power, if you're on flat land but stopping/starting a lot it could tell you to slow down for more efficient use, and if you're heading downhill it could show what speed will produce the best regenerative braking.

And while you're at it, why not build in a voice-actuated cell phone so you can talk and ride at the same time while keeping your hands where they're supposed to be! And then use that cell phone connection (hopefully GSM/GPRS) to transmit your current location to a website so your spouse/signifcant other/co-worker/boss knows where you are.

Build in a cheap radar system to warn you of pedestrians in the way, and even slow down the maximum speed of the device based on the number of pedestrians. That might even make the idiot politicians in San Fran and Key West happy.

Since the "smiley face" display can be rather confusing when you get to some of the non-standard faces, why not have voice prompts? In other words, have the Segway announce in the local language "Your battery is getting low" or "If you keep this up I'm shutting down!".

As a recumbent bike rider and tech geek, I was totally impressed with the electronics on the new Bigha recumbent (http://www.bigha.com - click on "The Bike" and choose Technical Info) They build in lights that turn on and off automatically when lighting is insufficient, turn signals, a full bike computer, a horn, and an alarm system into each bike. Perhaps someone at Segway LLC should make a visit to the folks at Bigha and see how much their electronics package adds to the cost of a bike.

Sorry about the long, rambling reply but this topic really got me thinking...

Steve
The Joy of Segs: http://www.joyofsegs.com

[Jeff Allen]

You folks are going in the wrong direction. Anyone can add accessories. The art of innovation is eliminating the non-essential.



Onward!
Jeff Allen

[GyroGo]

I love the thought of staying dry, but I think you'd have significant wind drag problems, not to mention the additional weight crimping performance. The sit down version would have those problems plus the ones I mentioned earlier:

quote:Originally posted by GyroGo

When you stand up, leaning forward to go forward and backward to slow, stop and reverse is easy, natural, and intuitive. When you sit down, leaning is a slower reflex, less comfortable, and a lower center of gravity would require a lot more effort than leaning while standing. But staying dry and out of the sun is a good thought.


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StirlingInfo (www.StirlingInfo.com) StirlingChat (www.StirlingChat.com)