Idea for a new turning control system:

[InvisibleJules]

I came up with an idea that seems to me like it would work but as I have not had much experience with a segway at all, I really dont know and am curious to see what seg-ers think. Anyway, here goes:
Instead of the handgrip twist control, what if there was some sort of sensor under one's feet which measured how the weight is distributed on each foot? The larger the difference of weight on each foot is, the faster the turn. This would make sure that the rider is leaning into the turn, making it harder to fall off. Of course, something would have to be done for stepping on and off the machine (perhaps it would ignore lean until the user pressed a button signalling that he/she is ready to roll). While the Segway's forward and backward controls (leaning) seem very intuitive, I wonder why the same was not done for turns.
I hope the idea is clear...,
Thanks everyone!
Jules

[Stewbonz]

I think the handlebar should be designed to rotate 180 degrees so a righty can steer it. Agreed?

JEFF JARVIS
Historic Tours-Thailand

[Neelix]

The turning is more intuitive than one might think. After a bit of practice, its second nature, just like the forward and backward movement. With your system, one could not shift their weight from side to side for comfort without the machine veering off course. The turning system is pretty much perfect the way it is.

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Fear not, for even though I come from the Forbidden City, I surely do not agree with the rules.
Chris Knight

[InvisibleJules]

You're right, neelix, I have nothing against the turning system as it is. That's a good point, I suppose one would need to shift weight on longer rides. Stewbonz, I think a bicycle like handlebar is also more easy to make a dangerous mistake with than the twisting hadngrip. And now for another idea, a sort of compromise:
What about a twist control on each side so that you can use it with either hand. If both were twisted at the same time, the average of the... twisted-ness (??) could be taken and used as the speed for that particular turn.
Note to self: Think more clearly! ;)
Thanks for the opinions guys!

[Neelix]

But see, what if you twist in opposite directions? It also adds complexity. You might have to think about which hand to use in order to turn. One of the driving ideas behind the Segway was the concept of "Man max, machine min". By adding more complex operational systems, it adds to the "machine" part of the equation.

-------------------------
Fear not, for even though I come from the Forbidden City, I surely do not agree with the rules.
Chris Knight

[pt]

quote:Originally posted by Stewbonz I think the handlebar should be designed to rotate 180 degrees so a righty can steer it. Agreed?

dean talked about this at segwayfest when asked. someone could post the entire thing, but this is what i groked from it.

keeping the steering on one side ensures that everyone has the same expectation when using a segway. just like a car. the gas and brake pedals are not in different places, or the shifter, etc...i think a good analogy is a baseball glove, sure-- when you "could" catch with your right hand as opposed to your left- maybe even better, but freeing up your right hand for more things, like throwing and dexterity makes more sense.

since we've been using our hts without any accidents, i think it was a pretty good idea to have the segway set up the way it was. but that's just my opinion and experiences so far.

cheers,
pt

[Stewbonz]

I have 2 friends that have use of their left arm only. No problem . I do feel sorry for someone that want's a Segway but only has a right arm. I think there should be an option for righthanders. Someone will come up with somthing, I hope.

JEFF JARVIS
Historic Tours-Thailand

[GlideMaster]

quote:Originally posted by InvisibleJules

I came up with an idea that seems to me like it would work but as I have not had much experience with a segway at all, I really dont know and am curious to see what seg-ers think. Anyway, here goes:
Instead of the handgrip twist control, what if there was some sort of sensor under one's feet which measured how the weight is distributed on each foot? The larger the difference of weight on each foot is, the faster the turn. This would make sure that the rider is leaning into the turn, making it harder to fall off. Of course, something would have to be done for stepping on and off the machine (perhaps it would ignore lean until the user pressed a button signalling that he/she is ready to roll). While the Segway's forward and backward controls (leaning) seem very intuitive, I wonder why the same was not done for turns.
I hope the idea is clear...,
Thanks everyone!
Jules


Being a skier I love the idea of leaning into turns to steer, but I think the present steering system is fine just like it is. Just because you use your feet and lean into a turn doesn't make it any harder to fall than using the steering collar. I think pt said it best when he stated you don't change the pedals on a car so that everyone may have the same expectations when they have to operate a vehicle.

<center>http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/avatars/glidemaster.gif</center>

[gotseg]

I feel segway should just add another rotation sensor onto the right part of the segway handle grip. Then you can just pop off/on the turning grip to the side you want or need it.

gotseg?

[W9GFO]

quote:Originally posted by pt

quote:Originally posted by Stewbonz I think the handlebar should be designed to rotate 180 degrees so a righty can steer it. Agreed?

dean talked about this at segwayfest when asked. someone could post the entire thing, but this is what i groked from it.

keeping the steering on one side ensures that everyone has the same expectation when using a segway. just like a car. the gas and brake pedals are not in different places, or the shifter, etc...



Dean also said that for people who were unable to use their left hand to steer there would be the option of a specially modified unit. No different than cars being modified for people with special requirements. It was unclear if/when Segway would do the modifications.

Rich H

[Cube128]

I recall reading about this in Code Name: Ginger. The engineers proposed such a system for steering, but they tested it and found that it was tiring and bothersome to consantly hop from one foot to the other to steer. The idea sounds good in theory, but doesn't work too well in practice.

[Cruzan Glider]

If the Segway is to be fully integrated into our society as a viable transportation system there needs to be standards established. Can you imagine the confusion if car came with the option of left foot or right root gas pedels. It would be down right dangerous. In time, most of us right-handed and left-handed people learn to drive cars with right footed gas pedels and left footed clutches. I am right handed and within a few weeks of use I have developed the soft-touch control of the left-handed steering handle. But from my left-handed wife's perspective, she thinks it is about time that someone made something for left-handed people and that us right-handed folks are the ones that have to learn to adapt.

Mike

[8] Bringing the future of transportation to central Ohio

[Poindexter]

I'd like to see the control shaft removed, the platform on a pivot that reads variation in tilt to turn left or right and the foward/reverse controled by weight placed on the leading or trailing foot.

Sideways is a much more intuitive and balanced stance. Ask any snow/skate/surf/mountain boarder.

Not to mention how much cooler it would look.

"Anyone who wants to be a New Urbanist has never been Old Urbanist." Michael Poindexter (critic)