Any mention of improved batteries at SEGFEST?

[panderso]

Did anyone address this and if so what was said?

[IndyFIRSTengineer]

Only that details about new batteries, and expected availability, will be ANNOUNCED before the end of the year ...

Machines will need a software upgrade to utilize, and they will likely not be standard on new machines going forward, but will remain an optional "upgrade".

Stuart Bloom - Rolls-Royce Corporation
FIRST Team 1018 - Pike High School "RoboDevils"

“Who goes out and says, ‘You have a better probability of winning the state lottery than making a nickel in professional sports. And by the way, last year two million exciting technical jobs went unfilled in this country because you weren't there to take that job. And it pays you 10 times as much as flipping burgers, and it's fun and it's exciting and you get to create things and build things and help make the world a better place and help make yourself a better living.’ Who tells them this?”
Dean Kamen, founder - FIRST Robotics

[woodenapple]

The strategy that was shared at SegwayFest was to give battery range options to the buyers. Some people don't need more range, so why force those customers to pay for batteries with more capacity.

On the topic of price, I was told by more than one of the Segway staff that the batteries are sold pretty much at cost. That must be why batteries were the only Segway product that didn't have a discount price at the Fest, and why batteries are not included in the limited time 10% off deal through the new on-line store.

Rodney

[macgeek]

the 'buzz' also was there new lithuim-ion batteries had design problems, still. and they were "ironing out the bugs"

Jonathan

Segway - "Let's Roll"
Centaur - "Lets Roll on all fours"
www.segwaygeek.com

[fredkap]

Jonathon - What I heard wasn't that there were bugs, rather that Segway tests thoroughly anything prior to shipping and that they won't compromise quality control even though we are so terribly anxious for them. I came away from the Fest with a renewed knowledge that they are in this for the long haul and quality remains their primary goal.

Fred

[ZoliHonig]

Did they say how much range you will get with them?

Did they say if you would have to do the whole battery conditioning?

[8]-Zoli[8]

[SegwayUtah]

I was expecting an increase in range of 50%, but the word I am hearing (from those at the PD session on Sunday, etc.) is that the range is more like double (i.e. 16-24 miles on a charge; 20 miles expected).

Also, the cool thing about Lithium-chemistry batteries is that they respond better to "less smooth" riding. So if one constantly starting and stopping, etc., the new batteries will give a _bigger_ boost (compared to what one gets now) than for the more conservative folk.

Of course, the more conservative folk will still get better battery mileage.

Chris

[woodenapple]

When I was talking with Doug Field he mentioned that he would like to double the range. But he didn't say if the new batteries could do that yet.

Rodney

[Entil-Zha]

If the Segway requires a software upgrade to utilize the new batteries, will the Segway be backward compatible? Even if my current batteries have diminished capacity, I wouldn't want to toss them. They would be valuable as a backup.

[KSagal]

There were several comments of how comments would be made by the end of the year on when comments would be available commenting on the new batteries.

Karl Ian Sagal

Each road you travel should be just a bit better for having had you pass.

[woodenapple]

quote: There were several comments of how comments would be made by the end of the year on when comments would be available commenting on the new batteries.

Karl Ian Sagal


Great comment, Karl

[macgeek]

No Comment!

:)

Jonathan

Segway - "Let's Roll"
Centaur - "Lets Roll on all fours"
www.segwaygeek.com

[Stan671]

There would be a software upgrade requred for the new batteries. This is because the power discharge curve of the new batteries is different from the current NiMH batteries. The new software would be able to work with both the new and old batteries.

As Karl said, Segway made an official announcement that they will be announcing news about the batteries sometime in the future. <grin>

Stan Dobrowski

[terryp]

Any idea as to whether the dealer network will be able to perform the upgrade?

Seg - Way to Go!

[Stan671]

Segway's plan is for the dealers to be able to do the software upgrades.

Stan Dobrowski

[pam]

And as much as WE all want the new batteries, Segway anticipates that there will be a whole group of purchasers who just don't care, so they'll still have the lower-range batteries available.
Pam

[wayne]

For me the long range batteries would not help, I only ride around my shop lately.
For rental companies, Segs on the job and for those that travel more than 10 miles on a glide new batteries would be a plus for them but would really help push the Seg sales.
I would be happy if LLC would fix is so you could charge your batteries from a small battery mounted on the Seg as you glide.


Seg-On
www.kcaps.com

[SegwayUtah]

I think the LiIon batteries are going to be a hit for both businesses and us commuters.

Chris

[woodenapple]

I agree that the new batteries will probably be VERY popular. I know some people here on the forum just can't wait. I am also excited about the prospect of Segway providing the option of longer range batteries.

But I am one of those that will be happy continuing to use the original batteries for my P, since I assume they will remian cheaper. In fact, I bought replacement batteries at SegFest since I don't need to wait for the newer ones to come out.

My daily commute is only a few miles, and my lunchtime errands around town are only a couple of miles. So I can always recharge at my desk while I am at work.

Rodney

[panderso]

What do you guys think the cost of the "new" batteries will be?

[Stan671]

Be prepared for the new batteries to be EXPENSIVE. Think about how much your last laptop Li-Ion replacement battery cost.

I am thinking that with the rumored double capacity, you can expect at least double the price when you take into consideration that this is the lastest and greatest battery technology.

Stan Dobrowski

[panderso]

ouch....didn't want to hear that but based upon your explanation Stan and the list prices for other segway accessories your probably right.

[Stan671]

I would LOVE to have the new batteries, but I really doubt I can justify the cost or even afford them. But who knows what my wallet will do when the batteries come out.

Stan Dobrowski