Not to pop Dean's bubble, but...

[Orborde]

Apparently some nerdy fellow out in Silicon Valley built his own Segway-like scooter for about half the cost of a Segway. Dean Kamen may be smart, but competition may be catching up to him. On the other hand, considering how expensive Segways are, this guy or someone like him might actually make Segways a viable transit option for everybody. Cool as a Segway is, it is more of a toy than a serious vehicle at this point. Dean Kamen has some work to do.

[sanddrag]

This is really old. Many of us have seen that a long time ago. Anyhow, if you ever try to build your own segway, you will see how/why the segway costs so much. Yes it may be a bit much for what it does, but if you add up everthing inside it and the development that went into it, it really is worth that much.

With that said, I have ridden Trevor Blackwell's most recent version of his balancing scooter and I must say it is quite impressive. I actually prefer his steering setup over the real segway. All you need to do is apply pressure on the handlebar of the direction you want to turn. No twist grip or anything. It is even more natural than the real Segway.

Anyway, I've ridden the real Segway many times and I think it is a truly remarkable machine and worth every cent (if you have enougt cents to spend on it).

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Orborde

Apparently some nerdy fellow out in Silicon Valley built his own Segway-like scooter for about half the cost of a Segway. Dean Kamen may be smart, but competition may be catching up to him. On the other hand, considering how expensive Segways are, this guy or someone like him might actually make Segways a viable transit option for everybody. Cool as a Segway is, it is more of a toy than a serious vehicle at this point. Dean Kamen has some work to do.

Segways are a quite viable transportation option if you're on say, a college campus. Especially a particularly large one (Quite a few that would be perfect for the Segway come to mind). It does cost a good amount, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper over four years than a car and gas.

[dez250]

If you do some research into the Segway, you will notice that much of the physical device is easily duplicated. Much of it also can be purchased, or a close to item to use on a "home made" scooter. Though the technology that is highly secret and protected by the Segway company is the firmware and software which runs the Segway. Same goes for the iBot wheelchair. You can duplicate the physical but you cant duplicate the logic. Theres also patents on the Dynamic Stabilization idea so i highly doubt you'll be seeing any professional competition in the future any time soon.

[KenWittlief]

yep, the Segway concept is patented

legally you cannot even build your own for personal use without being in violation of Dean's patents

and there is no way you could sell it.

[lsmith243]

I've ridden on a Segway many times with Matt from 131 and every time I got on I was amazed by the technology. Dean is an exceptional man and I would understand somebody wanting to re-create something that revolutionary.

...But Segways still rule all

[mechanicalbrain]

I think whats really sick is the Segway Centaur (as seen here). It's a shame their are only two in existence .

[jdiwnab]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

I think whats really sick is the Segway Centaur (as seen here). It's a shame their are only two in existence .

wow...

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

I think whats really sick is the Segway Centaur (as seen here). It's a shame their are only two in existence .

Four. Not two.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Four. Not two.

Are the other two on Mars?

[tiffany34990]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

I think whats really sick is the Segway Centaur (as seen here). It's a shame their are only two in existence .

i agree.. i wish i could have one... i think Dean's Segway is remarkable and well soo much fun to ride on. I wish I can the money for one to go to college w/ that would be sweet..guess I'll just stick to burning calories which isn't bad I know.

But everyone like us in the world, likes to figure out how things are made and how we can make things cheaper and more effective. But it's a patent so Dean is all good.

[Elgin Clock]

Old story, but sure.. I'll add some old news to this.

http://www.michelinmedia.com/naias_2...el_gallery.htm

Looks wild.. I like pinwheel pasta.

[mechanicalbrain]

Looking at the centaur you realise that the battery, computer, and motors are so SMALL! Like you can't even see them.

[Rohan_DHS]

wow, that's hot =D