Visually impaired, investigating Segway

[Wilmer]

Greetings, all.

I've been considering adding the Segway HT to my transportation toolbox. My sight is too poor to drive, so I rely on a bicycle and public transportation to get around at the moment. The Segway looks like it could provide me with medium-range transportation for times when arriving at my destination sweaty and fatigued would be inappropriate, such as work.

I have a few questions for any HT owners out there who use their units as a primary form of mobility (i.e. are unable to use a car):

• Are the control indicators big enough for someone with low vision to read?

• A key feature of the HT over lower-end scooters is its small footprint. Has this allowed you to carry your HT onto public transportation, especially buses?

• In places where you will be staying for some time, have property owners generally allowed you to charge your unit, or at least store it indoors (I use a Kryptonite lock for my bike, but it didn't cost $4500 :D)?

• Any other ways the HT has increased your mobility?

Thanks in advance! [8]

[pt]

hey wilmer, welcome to the forum.

here are some answers, hope they help. other folks may have different responses as well, these are just based on my experiences.

1. the control indicator is about 2" diameter, so i would say it might not big enough for someone with low vision to read. but then again, i don't really ever need to look at mine.

2. we can't get our i series segway hts on any bus (yet). i would suggest the p series when it comes out for that. also, it's not really clear if hts will be allowed on buses.

3. i bring mine in to the office (i push it in) and store it.

4. i was able to get rid of a car, but lately i seem to be flying on planes more than gliding.

cheers,
pt

[Sal]

Welcome, Wilmer!

First, I share PT's thoughts about the size of the display. It's visual cues are such that a mere glance could give a clue as to the status of the machine. BUT, that is when I look down at it, Which I rarely do. The display gives you the following information: Balance status/Battery level/operating conditions. After that, you can learn a lot by the changes in color. The entire display changes color to describe modes, or alerts: GREEN: all systems go (balance), ORANGE: power assist, RED: warning.

It is very simple, and I am sure on your segway, you could slow down enough, or better yet, come to a complete stop and take a look at status. If you operate your segway responsibly, and always keep it charged up, and not ride rough, you won't have to pay attention to your display.

I still use a car, because I travel for work. But when I'm back home, and I need to go to the post office, grocery store, etc, I use the Segway. it's fantastic, and you always get postive responses (most of the time)

I am sure the property owners (most of them) will understand that the Segway is far from a bike, it is a very expensive tool, that should be protected indoors. In your case, I am sure they would treat it like as a true mobility aid, and let you store it inside. I would ask first.

As for the KRYPTO lock. I have one as well. And the Segway makes use of a cutout in each wheel and fender, so you can thread the lock through the wheel, fender, fender, wheel, (from side to side) and around a pole, or stationary object. Many on this forum use multiple locking systems. It all depends on the neighborhood you're in, and how much time you'll be spending away from your Segway.

Finally, I am sure you can fasten a magnifying glass above the circular display to enlarge it for you. Plus, I didn't mention that in certain conditions, the segway will give you audio clues as well as to its condition (beeps, and rattles). These usually mean get off!

Once again, welcome, and good luck!

-Sal

Think Different
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Answers that Matter
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[fredkap]

Wilmer,

Welcome! Your question can't be easily answered as you aren't specific as to your vision loss, but you can ride a bike. Best thing that I would suggest is to email Cruzan Glider who lives in Dublin, Ohio and take a test glide. We hope it helps but safety first. We don't want you to hurt yourself either.

Best regards,

Fred

[Stewbonz]

Good vision is necessary to view potential hazards on the riding surface. The Segway has very little suspension and an unexpected bump will send you flying. The display is difficult to see in brite daylite, even for people with great vision. Usually not necessary to be looking at the display when riding though. Hope that helps!

JEFF JARVIS
Historic Tours-Thailand

[Wilmer]

@all: Thanks for the information. That gives me a better idea of what to expect.

@fredkap: My specific disability is called ocular albinism. Tissue is missing from the back of my eye, which limits distance vision and reduces the accuracy of depth perception as well as causes light sensitivity. Total visual acuity is 20/100 in both eyes. With a bike, I can stick close to the shoulder and get off the road if I sense danger. I can see well enough to spot hazards like potholes. As you said, the best way to evaluate how safely I could operate the Segway is try it out for myself. Oddly enough, no email address is shown for Cruzan Glider (or anyone else, for that matter). Is it supposed to show up with all the other stats to the left of each posting, such as you post count and location?

@pt: What's the difference between the I series and P series? Is there a picture showing them side-by-side?

[Sunday]

I have Stargardt's, and have ridden the HT quite a few times. I even helped out at the Ticket to Ride event in July, by showing the Segway to folks and helping them to understand it.

You wouldn't have any problem using it at all. If you can hear, that's good enough. If anything is going wrong, it will let you know with lots of noise and shaking. My visual acuity is around the 20/400 range, and I do just fine. Just ask Segway Utah and MZOKC.

A p is sure nice. I've ridden those too. They would definitely be easier to haul onto a bus, but then again, it seems to me that an i is smaller than most wheelchair footprints. Ask your public transportation folks about it.

Welcome to SegwayChat! It's about time another low vision person showed up:)




Sunday

Segway-more fun than you can stand!

[toybuilder]

quote:Originally posted by Stewbonz

Good vision is necessary to view potential hazards on the riding surface. The Segway has very little suspension and an unexpected bump will send you flying.
I second that. I think you can use the Segway with some visual impairment, but you must by able to:
1) see the overall surroundings and anticipate potential hazards, and 2) see the ground immediately before you to notice any trip/slip potential.

Since you ride a bicycle and avoid potholes, I suspect you'll be okay on the Segway, too.

http://www.pasadenasegway.org/

[opti6600]

Interesting you mention the bicycle...in a way, depending on your level of visual impairment, the bicycle is easier to handle most obstacles of smaller size.

A Segway can 0wn all of the bigger things, like terrain changes, you can circumvent logs, all sorts of things, but unlike a bike, you have to watch out for smaller things like curbs (depth perception helps a lot!), weird obstructions in the sidewalk, and other weird things that all of us could tell you about. There are some nuances between tandem- and parallel-wheeled transportation.

You know what I just realized? Even with the highest screen-reader settings, judging from your ability to use a comp, you shouldn't have too many problems.

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of visual impairment are we talking about here?

[fredkap]

Wilmer,

To contact a member, you just go to that members profile and there is a link to send an e-mail by way of SegwayChat. I have sent an e-mail to Cruzan Glider on your behalf.

Good luck!

Fred

[Cruzan Glider]

Fred.

Thanks for making me aware of Wilmer's interests. I just sent him an email and extended him an offer to meet here in Columbus and give him a demo. I agree with some of the earlier comments that the p-series might be more practical for carrying it onto public transportation.

PS. Wilber, if for some reason you dont get my email my address is cruzanglider@columbus.rr.com

Mike

[8] Bringing the future of transportation to central Ohio

[Wilmer]

@Cruzan Glider: Sorry for the delay! Check your inbox. [^]

[Cruzan Glider]

Fred,

Thanks again for putting me in touch with Wilmer. I am meeting him Sunday to show him the Segway and give him a demo. I am bring both my segs (mine and my wife's) so if he is comfotable on it, we can gilde around a bit together and let him use it in and around his neighborhood.

Mike

[8] Bringing the future of transportation to central Ohio

[Sunday]

That's great! Please let us know how it turns out. I for one, am especially interested in knowing the outcome of the demo.


Sunday

Segway-more fun than you can stand!

[Cruzan Glider]

Wilmer,

Check your email. I just mailed the picture and video to you. Great meeting you today.

Mike

[8] Bringing the future of transportation to central Ohio