Trying to figure out the Segway...

[KenWittlief]

actually the balancing algorithm on a Segway is not much different that the cruise control on a car. Sensors detect the orientation of the platform and the rate at which it is starting to tip, and the motors respond to keep the Segway level

just like the cruise control on a car adjusts the throttle to hold the car at a constant speed - the Segway holds a constant level.

I dont have personal knowledge of the algorithm used, but you can make feedback systems tight or loose. If its tight it will quickly cancel out all error. On the Segway, that would mean as soon as you shifted your weight (lean forward) it would instantly compensate to stay level, moving very little.

I think the feedback on the Segway is selectively loose - when you lean forward it compensates to keep you from falling over, but not completely, so the platform ends up moving forward - sorta like its perpetually falling

[JBotAlan]

It sounds like all of you have given up. Why would you do such a thing?

I wonder if Dean Kamen knows how much this bugs other people? I imagine he would laugh if he knew how much this BUGS ME!!!

Yes, I realize that there are many, many redundant systems in the Segway, but I still think it would be interesting to build my own. I'm definitely talking to the team about building one. What's the worst that can happen.....?

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by JBotAlan

What's the worst that can happen.....?

You'll be many hundreds if not thousands of dollars poorer with a pile of hardware that doesn't do a darn thing. And you may have people injured requiring thousands of dollars in medical bills. You did say worst.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

You'll be many hundreds if not thousands of dollars poorer with a pile of hardware that doesn't do a darn thing. And you may have people injured requiring thousands of dollars in medical bills. You did say worst.

Test it with monkeys. Works for the cosmetic industry, so why can't it work for a robotics team? That would possibly solve the thousands of dollars in medical bills, they'll turn into vet bills. Heh... funny me.

But yeah, building your own Segway could prove rather expensive and not worth it. That's just my opinion though.

[KenWittlief]

if you want to know how the segway works, get the patent and read it.

The patent must fully disclose the operation of the system, because that is what is being patented, not just what the system does, but how it does it.

For this reason it is necessary for the patent to fully explain how it works. Otherwise, whenever someone else came up with a similar idea, Segway could claim "thats how we do it, so we have a patent on that...."

your patent only covers your invention as you describe it. If someone else can come up with a different way to make a system that performs the same function, they are not violating your patent.