I feel i bot was a better invention. IT is only a version of Ibot you can stand on, and IT does alot less stuff. To me the only person who would buy IT is a lasy person who does not want to walk. This invention will not have cities built around it and will not become more important than the computer.
One possible future of Segway I can see is a total car-free inner city transportation system. Imagine in the future, when everyone has a Segway, or there are places to rent Segway at the entrance of cities, then people won’t need cars to travel within cities.
All the parking would stay outside of city limit, and people would hop on their Segway and go to work, shopping, tour different places, etc… And cars will only use for long distance travel. Imagine how much car-related accidents it can prevent inside cities. We won’t need spaces inside cities to build parking lot, and there will definitely less pollution around.
Segway can definitely have a lot of upgrades in the future. Computer guided passages for high speed Segways with internal sensors that allow mass high speed transit within cities, or high ways within cities that control Segway’s flow of traffic with computer. Think of how fast efficient they can all move on the high way without many accidents. They were researching this for cars, but I believe it will be way easier to implement for Segways.
And, in writing this, I already realize I have to add the term “Segway” into Word’s dictionary.
what happens when it rains. It will never replace a car and a golf cart would be the solution you are looking for in the city ken
what happens when it rains. It will never replace a car and a golf cart would be the solution you are looking for in the city ken
Well, I think that’s what was meant by cities being built around the invention… Huge domed cities… The problems with that are, of course, immense, but it can be done… I don’t think Dean ever meant the Segway to be used for long-distance travel, so it would work perfectly…
Before I begin, I thought I saw in blueprints a design for a rain shield for the Segway in one of the patent drawings…Dean probably thought of that already
Here are my reasons for supporting Segway:
Point 1: Traffic
Segway may replace biking to work, also if used in New York and other large metropolitan cities it would reduce traffic and collisions…that would save people time and energy of dealing with stupid drivers…and the long delays of Rush Hour
Point 2: Environment
With less drivers on the road, Ozone is saved for another day…
Point 3: The Media
There were 2 main reasons for the secrecy of Dean… 1. Patents were not secured at this time last year when this thing first came into the media world, Wouldnt you keep it a secret if you didnt have patents secured on the invention you spent 15 years on? Also an official name wasnt selected…so its not like he was trying to make it that big of a deal…the wonderful media strikes again…First florida, now Segway
Yes there may be some similarities between the two…my explanation is: You all know that Dean spent 15 years or more of his life developing Segway, couldnt IBot have been a creation that came to mind during his development?
So finally I conclude with saying that Dean Kamen is a brilliant man, his creations revolutionized the world…we need to appriate Dean for what he has done, heck if he didnt create FIRST, I wouldnt be posting here or neither would anyone else…I support Dean in all he does, and im looking foward to a great 2002 Competition!
One last thought?
Will Segway Replace the Bicycle?
Lets here your thoughts?
On the subject of Bike’s vs. Segway, I recall a qoute (may or may not be word for word, but i think it’s close enough).
*The bicylce is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. * -Iris Murdoch
At first I was thrilled by the idea of segway, I still am. But when it comes down to it, I don’t think a segway could ever replace the speed, flexiblity, ease of use (even if it does balence for you) and just pure freedom of a bike. I love my bike, I use it everyday to get to school and anywere I need to go with in 20 miles. Nothing can come close to it.
Besides, how am I supposed to take a Segway on a mountin bike trail? 
That wasnt the point i was trying to make…for example…in Toyko most people commute to work by bicycle…would the Segway replace that?
*Originally posted by D.J. Fluck *
**Pattons were not secured at this time last year when this thing first came into the media world **
Exactly what is a PATTON?
I believe DJ meant that the patent wasn’t secure. Simple typo.
*Originally posted by Andy A. *
**Besides, how am I supposed to take a Segway on a mountin bike trail?
**
They make a Segway with knobby tires like mini-bikes, That’s how!
*Originally posted by Elgin Clock *
**I believe DJ meant that the patent wasn’t secure. Simple typo. **
Sorry, using “patton” for “patent” three times in a single message can’t be called a “simple typo”.:rolleyes:
Dictionary.com gives the following definition:
typographical error
(typo) An error while inputting text via keyboard, made despite the fact that the user knows exactly what to type in. This usually results from the operator’s inexperience at keyboarding, rushing, not paying attention, or carelessness.
Maybe Illitero?
(Sorry D.J.)
patent…whatever…im going to engineering school for a reason…i always finished last in the spelling bee :D…
Suggestion for chief delphi webmaster:
Get forums with spell check 
Even if the Segway never revolutionizes anything I still applaud Dean and his team for creating a very unique piece of equipment with a very exciting human interface. I believe that there are tons of uses for a vehicle like it…in fact I thought of a very interesting application last night.
Imagine that like many Americans yoou were hit by a drunk driver or dove into a shallow pool and lost the use of your legs. Imagine how gratifying and wonderful it would be if you had an opportunity to walk again. Why I mean is…it’s possible that a person who is paralyzed and hasn’t enjoyed the freedom to walk, or shop, or talk with people eye to eye, would once again have that chance if they were strapped onto a Segway! They would have upright mobility for a low cost with a relativily high safety margin.
Anthony Lapp
*Originally posted by D.J. Fluck *
**
Suggestion for chief delphi webmaster:Get forums with spell check
**
Amen! I’ve noticed I’m getting better, but for some long posts, I frequently find myself copying and pasting it into Word. Then Word underlines it for me, and I fix it in the forum…I don’t no y eye care so much, seeing as nost peopul usually read write past a type-o or spelling error… yes…that was on purpose
*Originally posted by D.J. Fluck *
**patent…whatever…im going to engineering school for a reason…i always finished last in the spelling bee :D…Suggestion for chief delphi webmaster:
Get forums with spell check
vBulletin had a spell check, until the spell check service started charging.
*Originally posted by Brandon Martus *
**vBulletin had a spell check, until the spell check service started charging. **
The web e-mail that the ISP I work for has a java spell check…not sure about the details on it, I’ll see what I can find out…
Cool… if its free & works, I’d gladly integrate it.