New Batteries, New Segways, New Options, Oh my!

[Joe Matt]

http://segway.com/aboutus/press_rele...r_030105c.html

New long range batteries, Segway GT, Segway XT, new colors and fenders! Yay!

[Ian W.]

The GT model makes sense, though I doubt we'll see many golf courses with those instead of carts anytime soon.

The other models are all cool as well, but as before, I can't see myself ever buying one, too expensive and not enough use. Of course, that may change in a few years if/when I move off campus, because then a Segway would be the perfect to get to school and back.

[jzampier]

I feel prudent to mention the following:
For the price of a Segway I can buy:

1. a John Deer Gator
2. at least 1 golf cart
3. my first car.

The Segway is wicked cool, but just too expensive.
Before I get comments about a Segway going places those
other vechicles can't... I have video of the gator driving up and
into my apt. building. (At least 4 steps).

[Stu Bloom]

I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THIS ... Robotics season has monopolized my time for the past several weeks so I have not been keeping up with Segway news latey - WOW! this new stuff is cool!!

As a segway owner (lucky winner - not purchaser) very actively involved in the segway owner's community I can tell you that "we" fall mainly into one of three categories. There are those whose lives have been changed and immeasurably improved by the mobility the segway gives them. There are those who see a real practical benefit of ownership - either in time or actual $$ saved (and I can cite specific examples). Unfortunately I have to agree, though, that the price point and social/government barriers are keeping this wonderful product heavily in the "grown-up's toy" realm for many of us.

While the price is still prohibitive for many, golf courses are extremely interested in anything that will help speed up play and allow them to collect more fees. I won't say you will see a massive shift to Segway GT's on golf courses, but I would bet that they will not be too rare. The Segway gives the same advantage of speed between shots as a golf cart, but allows for each player to go directly to their own ball instead of having to zig-zag across the enitire course to cover both players in the cart. Plus it is still relatively un-common, and would definitely add a "novelty" factor to a course's offerings.

[Jessica Boucher]

Dean Kamen, you deserve a cookie.

Right before Kickoff or right before competition is the perfect time to release new Segway stuff. It not only can piggyback on whatever press FIRST gets over the next 6 weeks, but it's just one more venue where we (a good chunk of the target market) can see the products up close, which seems to be the easiest way to break down most buying barriers within said market.

Well played!

[Cory]

Good lord. the battery is worth 1/4 the price of the Segway? Isn't that kind of steep?

And that XT is ginormous.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Cory

Good lord. the battery is worth 1/4 the price of the Segway? Isn't that kind of steep?

Thats for getting it aftermarket. Software update, install, yadayadayada. Makes sense to me. Looking at the specs though, its 400 watt hours compared to the 220watt hours of the old NiMH. It is also rated to 14F, rather then just 41F. Significant improvement.

Increased range means more people have that as an option now.

Wetzel

[Amanda Morrison]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7071800/

[Tristan Lall]

Lithium-ion batteries, while nice and light, tend to quietly commit suicide after a few years of existance. Note existance, instead of use. Even in storage, they deteriorate. Unless some new formulation has been employed here, it is quite possible that the battery will be useless within two to five years, depending on various conditions (type of discharge, storage temperature, etc.).

It's the same problem seen with laptops and some cellular phones. The battery starts losing capacity, and eventually won't accept a charge.

[Adam Y.]

Lithium-ion batteries, while nice and light, tend to quietly commit suicide after a few years of existance. Note existance, instead of use. Even in storage, they deteriorate. Unless some new formulation has been employed here, it is quite possible that the battery will be useless within two to five years, depending on various conditions (type of discharge, storage temperature, etc.).

The problem is worst than that. Lithium Ion batteries tend to die out the quickest compared to any other type of battery just with regular use. Hence the great annoyance when Apple gave people a hard time to replace their batteries.

[KenWittlief]

Im glad to see Segway going after these specialized markets they originally shunned.

How many people here purchased their own shopping cart?

How many people here USE a shopping cart every week?

Segway has to find its sweet-spot market, its optimum applications. If thats golf courses or resort rentals or airports... whatever it is that gets production numbers way up, that will bring the manufacturing cost way down

and the sell price of the base models will then drop.

[MattK]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

Dean Kamen, you deserve a cookie.

Right before Kickoff or right before competition is the perfect time to release new Segway stuff. It not only can piggyback on whatever press FIRST gets over the next 6 weeks, but it's just one more venue where we (a good chunk of the target market) can see the products up close, which seems to be the easiest way to break down most buying barriers within said market.

Well played!

To be honest, I dont think dean had any real hand in when the new machines were announced... I think if anything its harder for Segway to get attention through all the FIRST hype.



Just my 2cents

[MattK]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

Im glad to see Segway going after these specialized markets they originally shunned.

How many people here purchased their own shopping cart?

How many people here USE a shopping cart every week?

Segway has to find its sweet-spot market, its optimum applications. If thats golf courses or resort rentals or airports... whatever it is that gets production numbers way up, that will bring the manufacturing cost way down

and the sell price of the base models will then drop.

I think the reason Segway was able to release the GT and the XT was because of the new batteries, they allowed for different applications.

[Jon K.]

The new segway was featured in the newest Popular Science magazine as well.

[delerious]

I'm wondering when the Segway will be outfitted with Michellin's thusly named Tweel, if it will be outfitted. http://autos.msn.com/as/video.aspx?x...w=autoshow2005 Right under the Dodge Charger video.


^ link to the introduction of the Tweel.
In the end of the video is the Centaur prototype.