Segway Explained

Segway PT
Type:Personal transporter
Inventor:Dean Kamen
Manufacturer:Segway Inc.
Models:i2 SE, x SE, miniPro, robot

A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter device invented by Dean Kamen. It is a registered trademark of Segway Inc. It was brought to market in 2001 as the Segway HT, and then subsequently as the Segway PT. HT is an initialism for "human transporter" and PT for "personal transporter."

Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup rival, acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, broadening the company to include other transportation devices. In June 2020, it was announced that it would no longer make the Segway PT.[1] [2]

History

Independent company

The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancing iBOT wheelchair which was initially developed at University of Plymouth, in conjunction with BAE Systems and Sumitomo Precision Products.[3] The first patent of human transporter was filed in 1994 and granted in 1997, followed by others,[4] including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.

Prior to its introduction, a news report[5] about a proposal for a book about the invention, development, and financing of the Segway PT [6] led to speculation about the device and its importance. John Doerr speculated that it would be more important than the Internet. South Park devoted an episode to making fun of the hype before the product was released. Steve Jobs was quoted as saying that it was "as big a deal as the PC",[7] (he later expressed a negative opinion, saying that it "sucked", presumably referring to "the design" – but also referred to the (presumably high) price point, asking, "You're sure your market is upscale consumers for transportation?")[8] The device was unveiled on 3 December 2001, following months of public speculation,[9] in Bryant Park, New York City, on the ABC News morning program Good Morning America,[10] [11] with the first units delivered to customers in early 2002.[12]

The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings:, with faster turning, and . Steering of early versions was controlled using a twist grip that varied the speeds of the two motors. The range of the p-Series was 6- on a fully charged nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery with a recharge time of four to six hours. In September 2003, the Segway PT was recalled, because if users ignored repeated low-battery warnings on the PTs, it could ultimately lead them to fall.[13]

In August 2006, Segway Inc. discontinued all previous models and introduced the i2 and x2 products, which were steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left,[14] had a maximum speed of 12.5mph from a pair of 2hp Brushless DC electric motors with regenerative braking and a range of up to 15miles25miles, depending on terrain, riding style, and state of the batteries.[15] Recharging took eight to ten hours. The i2 and x2 also introduced the wireless InfoKey which could show mileage and a trip odometer, and put the vehicle into security mode, which locked the wheels and set off an alarm if it was moved, and could also be used to turn on the PT from up to away.[16]

Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessman Jimi Heselden from its U.S. inventor Dean Kamen in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into the River Wharfe while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.[17] [18]

Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):[19]

In March 2014, Segway Inc. announced third generation designs, including the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, new LeanSteer frame and powerbase designs, with integrated lighting.[21]

Subsidiary of Ninebot

Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup and a rival of Segway Inc., acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, having raised $80M from Xiaomi and Sequoia Capital.[22] [23] The acquisition came months after the U.S. International Trade Commission agreed to investigate Segway Inc.'s claim that Ninebot and other companies were infringing on its patents and copyrights.[24] [25] [26] Segway Inc. requested the blocking of imports of competing scooters into the United States.

In June 2016, Segway Inc. launched the Segway miniPRO, a smaller self-balancing scooter.[27]

End of production

Only 140,000 units were sold during the lifetime of the product, and in the later years the Segway PT only made up 1.5% of total company profit. Factors contributing to the end of production include the price (US$5,000 at launch), and the learning curve in learning to balance on a Segway PT which has led to notable accidents involving Usain Bolt, George W. Bush, Ellen DeGeneres, Ian Healy, and Segway Inc. previous owner Jimi Heselden. While the Segway has remained popular for security and tourism, electric scooters have been more popular for personal mobility.

UTVs

In February 2022, Segway entered the UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) market.

Products

At the end of production in 2020, Segway Inc. was selling these five self-balancing scooters:

Professional
Consumer

Technology

The dynamics of the Segway PT are similar to a classic control problem, the inverted pendulum. It uses brushless DC electric motors in each wheel powered by lithium-ion batteries with balance achieved using tilt sensors, and gyroscopic sensors developed by BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre.[33]

Usage

In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.[34]

In 2018, the police of Stockholm adopted Segway i2 as a permanent transportation method for the patrollers of the old town.[35]

The Segway miniPro is also available to be used as the mobility section of a robot.[36]

Disability Rights Advocates for Technology[37] worked to supply Segway PTs to veterans who had trouble walking. (Segway Inc. cannot market its devices in the US as medical devices. Kamen sold the intellectual property rights for medical purposes to Johnson & Johnson, makers of the iBOT, a self-balancing wheelchair).[38]

The maximum speed of the Segway PT is . The product is capable of covering on a fully charged lithium-ion battery, depending on terrain, riding style, and the condition of the batteries.[39] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not have Segway-specific recommendations but does say that bicycle helmets are adequate for "low-speed, motor-assisted" scooters.[40]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilson. Mark. 2020-06-23. Segway, the most hyped invention since the Macintosh, ends production. 2020-06-24. Fast Company. en-US.
  2. Web site: 2020-06-23. Segways scrapped after two decades of high-profile falls. 2020-06-24. www.abc.net.au. en-AU.
  3. Book: Kemper. Steve. Code name Ginger : the story behind segway and Dean Kamen's quest to invent a new world. 2003. Harvard Business School Press. Boston, Mass.. 978-1578516735. 27. 23 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Segway Patent Information. Segway Inc.. 6 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721124219/http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf. 21 July 2017. dead.
  5. http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20218 What Is 'IT'? Book Proposal Heightens Intrigue About Secret Invention Touted as Bigger Than the Internet or PC
  6. Book: Kemper, Steve . Reinventing the Wheel: A Story of Genius, Innovation, and Grand Ambition. 1578516730. 2003. Harvard Business School Press .
  7. 2 December 2001. Reinventing the Wheel. Time. 11 March 2009.
  8. Web site: Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos meet "Ginger" . Steve . Kemper . Harvard Business School Working Knowledge . 16 June 2003.
  9. January 26, 2000 . . 26 July 2000 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150702125349/http://www.cc.com/events/month-of-zen/live.html . 2 July 2015.
  10. News: Machrone . Bill . Ginger Unveiled-It's a Scooter! . Extremetech . Extremetech.com . 3 December 2001 . 11 March 2009 . 24 April 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080424051557/http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,97229,00.asp . dead .
  11. News: Wired.com retrospective . 2009-04-12 . Dylan . Tweney.
  12. Web site: About Segway – Who We Are . Segway Milestones. 2009-03-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090318154531/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/segway-milestones.php . 18 March 2009.
  13. Web site: Segway LLC Recall to Upgrade Software on Segway Human Transporters . Cpsc.gov . 26 September 2003 . 2009-03-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080922233555/https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03553.html . 22 September 2008.
  14. Web site: Segway i2 . Segway.com . 2009-03-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090107194400/http://segway.com/personal-transporter/model_i2.html . 7 January 2009.
  15. Web site: Enhanced range, courtesy of lithium-ion. 29 November 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061017090302/http://www.segway.com/segway/lithium_ion.html . 17 October 2006 .
  16. Web site: Segway, Official Site . Segway.com . 28 April 2011 . 6 November 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111027235058/http://www.segway.com/business/products-solutions/i2.php . 27 October 2011.
  17. News: Segway company owner rides scooter off cliff, dies . A British businessman, who bought the Segway company less than a year ago, died after riding one of the scooters off a cliff and into a river near his Yorkshire estate. . . February 3, 2022.
  18. News: Inquest into Segway head's death. BBC News. 4 October 2010.
  19. Web site: Segway PT Previous Model. Segway Inc.. 2011-07-23. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709140608/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/previous-models.php. 9 July 2011.
  20. http://www.segway.com/product-archive/model_i180.html The versatile Segway PT i180
  21. Segway Launches New SE Personal Transporters (PTs) And SegSolution Accessory Packages. Segway. 24 March 2014. 2 January 2020.
  22. News: Catherine Shu. Beijing-based Ninebot Acquires Segway, Raises $80M From Xiaomi And Sequoia. TechCrunch. 15 April 2015.
  23. Why This Chinese Startup Just Bought a Company Americans Love to Ridicule. Time. 15 April 2015.
  24. Web site: CTV News Business News – Financial News Canada . 2022-04-11 . www.ctvnews.ca.
  25. Web site: 2016-03-17 . Segway Patent Complaint Could Result In Import Ban On Most "Hoverboard" Scooters . 2022-04-11 . Consumerist . en.
  26. Web site: Mullin . Joe . 2016-03-17 . Most "hoverboards" set to be banned from US, courtesy of Segway . 2022-04-11 . Ars Technica . en-us.
  27. Web site: Segway launches $1,000 self-balancing scooter you can control like a drone from your phone. Venture Beat. 1 June 2016.
  28. Web site: Segway I2 SE. Segway Inc.. 13 July 2017.
  29. Web site: Segway x2 SE. Segway Inc.. 13 July 2017.
  30. Web site: Meet Loomo. Segway Robotics. 13 July 2017.
  31. Web site: Ninebot by Segway E+. Segway Inc.. 13 July 2017. 19 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170719234128/http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-e. dead.
  32. Web site: Segway miniPro. Segway Inc.. 13 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170707031230/http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-minipro. 7 July 2017. dead.
  33. Web site: Segway - About Us - Press Releases - BAE SYSTEMS and Segway LLC Announce Partnership to Market Segway Human Transporter in the UK - 22 Jul 2002. segway-madrid.com. 24 August 2012. 8 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042207/http://www.segway-madrid.com/aboutus/press_releases/pr_072202.html. dead.
  34. Web site: EMS LifeLine . StreetSmart Segway . 6 November 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111114061414/http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html . 14 November 2011.
  35. News: 2019-08-26. IN PICTURES: Stockholm's segway police are here to stay. 2018-05-08. The Local Sweden.
  36. Web site: Robot Segway Rovers Train Special Forces For Urban Warfare . Inventorspot.com . 12 April 2010 . 2010-04-18 . 24 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224030135/http://inventorspot.com/articles/robot_segway_rovers_train_special_forces_urban_warfare_40002 . dead .
  37. Web site: Disability Rights Advocates for Technology. 6 August 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080827235124/http://www.draft.org/. 27 August 2008.
  38. News: Dean Kamen: part man, part machine . 27 October 2008 . 26 September 2009 . The Daily Telegraph . London . Adam . Higginbotham . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090814210618/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3353906/Dean-Kamen-part-man-part-machine.html . 14 August 2009.
  39. Web site: i2 SE Personal Transporter . 24 May 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160527111842/http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/segway-i2-se . 27 May 2016.
  40. Web site: CPSC Guide:Which Helmet for Which Activity. 2008-08-05. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080920161632/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/349.pdf. 20 September 2008.

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