Sorry Mr. B, when I wrote that I was putting myself into the mindstate of the FIRST participants.
It is true that PNTA is still an active body...and in addition it seems that since the time of departure from FIRST, its technology, amount that students learn, fields covered, and student accomplishment have all increased.
Now more data on Segway vs Scooter.
Segway's footprint according to
www.segway.com: 19x25: 475sq inches.
Z Rider's footprint: 39.4x7.3: 287.62. This is 61% of Segway's. An argument can be made that a squarer shape is more convenient than a rectangular one, but in terms of sidewalk space taken up, the Z Rider takes up far less.
The Segway's turning room: 32" (its diagonal footprint)
The Z Rider's turning room: Impossible to calculate with data, but clearly significantly larger.
It is true that the Segway's side-by-side wheeling does provide an advantage in terms of turning room. I don't believe that Dean has a patent on that though. I think if the Segway does become popular (or maybe even if not), we will see three wheeled copy cats that achieve a similar turning radius and expect the user to provide balancing against acceleration. The 3 wheeled design was a popular practice (concept) robot design at PNTA, and I remember most of us being able to stand on them while moving, despite the very highly levels of acceleration and speed we designed into them.
As for the legalities of Segway, the reasons that scooter's are not allowed on sidewalks does not deal with footprint (which should be clear from the above data) or turning radius. It is a matter of speed and momentum, and the dangers of getting hit by a device under power. It is for similar reasons that skateboards and rollerblades are not allowed on sidewalks in many areas.
Segway will never receive an exemption from such laws. Either the law will be taken away, or the Segway will not be allowed. The antitrust implications of an exemption would be enormous. Regardless, I wonder what leads you to believe the Segway is safer around pedestriations.
A friend of mine brought up an interesting question to me: If I was given and forced to ride either a Z Rider or a Segway, which would I choose? The Segway clearly. He then continued to iterate what I have said about Segway having no clear mechanical advantages over a scooter, which should mean no clear cost differences. All of Segway's cost is represented in processing and sensing, two things which generally decrease significantly in price with time. A comparison of the two at the same (or immaterial difference in) price would lead most to choose the Segway. Perhaps the only advantage that a scooter would have over Segway at that point is the weight factor. The Segway is actually
80 pounds according to
www.segway.com , a weight that would render it impossible to pick up by many people, including myself. I think it is a sad truth that the Segway will never receive widespread use at such a weight.
Kurt
P.S. So many views, so few replies...?