RealTechNews.com - Independent Tech

Thursday, October 14, 2004

Half Man, Half Horse?
That's the classic definition of a Centaur. So if Segway's "Centaur" four-wheel all-terrain vehicle does hit the road, who's who in the mix? Big "if" there, because Segway says it's just a plan that looks like it has potential. Best line from the website: "From time to time Segway's product development team devotes days, or even weeks, to creating new product concepts with the goal of finding a prince among frogs." Wow, whole weeks, huh? Nothing like an intense level of R&D.

At some point, Segway is going to get to the point it's actually aiming at. At that point, it may produce a viable and exciting product. In the meantime, this stuff is just silly. Can't wait for the news media to hype this one.

# Permalink Posted at 3:43 AM 4 comments Email this Link

Comments on this Item:

Attention Dean Kamen: We already have things like this. It's called a bicycle. Not only does it carry you over terrain very quickly, but you get an excellent cardiovascular workout at the same time.

Please, for the love of god, don't give rich people any more stupid crap to waste their money on.

(The first time I saw a person on a Segway I just about fell over laughing.)

# posted by Paul 6:05 AM

I loved the concept of the Segway although balked at the "IT" big-secret, world-changing hype surrounding "its" release. Just never got used to the idea of ever being seen on one, or wanting to look too lazy to walk somewhere. Plus, I just love my motor scooters (own 3) as simple and cost effective transporation devices, so why mess with something that works?

# posted by Alice 9:26 AM

Hey Paul, odds are good that when the battery started to go low, the person on the Segway fell over too --although probably not laughing.

And remember, "Segue," the actually spelling of the word, means "to make a smooth transition." Something else is coming out of this company, not the Centaur, but THAT's the big secret.

# posted by Bill 8:12 PM

"We already have things like this. It's called a bicycle."

This idea that Segway is competing with the bicycle seems to be common. I just responded to a similar comment on Slashdot the other day:

http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=125391&cid=10515424

In a nutshell, the Segway is *not* a commuter vehicle. Period. If Segway continues to market it as such, these bicycle comparisons will just kill them. What it is good for is: a) entertaining a guy like me, who had a blast my one time riding one - this fades, of course, plus I can think of better ways to spend $5000 - and b) getting employees around huge enclosed areas; people who are on their feet all day anyway, and are not looking for a workout during those hours. For example, greeters in huge places like the Aladdin's Desert Passage in Las Vegas, or maintenance personnel.

And, finally (O.K., so this nutshell is big enough to encompass my entire Slashdot post now), I don't think you can say enough about how approachable Segway riders are. If a rider knows what they're doing, they'll just glide up to you, start a conversation, and you're responding before you realize that they're a foot taller than you. With a bicycle, there's always that moment when you're thinking "Stop! Don't run me down!" Segway *does* have a niche; hopefully, they'll identify it, broadcast it, and corner it, 'cause I want one, reasonably priced.

# posted by John 8:13 AM

Post a Comment