Toyota's Answer to the Segway

[wmenorr67]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,396261,00.html

Now in colors.

[MicroBalrog]

I thought Segway failed commercially?

[Boomhauer]

including the elderly  its major target buyer.

What the hell are they thinking? Granny can't hardly walk without falling down and breaking a hip...and how are old people with joint problems going to stand up for that long?

Well, at least it goes a granny-like speed. Wonder if it comes with a turn signal to leave on...and how is Granny supposed to hunch over the steering doohickey like she does with the steering wheel, holding onto it with a white knuckle grip?

[Perd Hapley]

I thought Segway failed commercially?

Well, it definitely didn't live up to the hype, but I don't know that it's a total failure.  They do fill a certain niche, or at least a perceived one.  Mall security is what I'm thinking of.  If this thing comes in at a substantially lower price, they might find a whole new market.  Looks pretty weak to me, though. 

[Werewolf]

Hasn't the Segway been successful in Asia?

[Manedwolf]

Segways have sold for things like airport security, mall security, and what seems to be the best use, warehouse inventory gathering of small items. They mount them with small baskets, and they're good for zipping around the giant dropship warehouses used by companies such as Amazon.

For some reason, they never brought to market the offroad four-wheel Centaur that would have had more of a general audience.

[HankB]

I thought Segway failed commercially?

People who buy things for themselves generally look at the Segway and figure "Costs too much, does too little" and pass it by. A few businesses (who can write off the cost on their taxes) and "trendy" folks buy them, but by and large sales to the private sector are few and far between.

On the other hand, people who buy things with OPM (Other People's Money) seem to be the main customers . . . which is why you see cops riding them in airports and such.

[MechAg94]

Well, if you have employees who are supposed to walk around all day, things like the Segway make that easier I guess. 

I don't understand a couple things.  This thing goes too slow and only goes for 3 miles.  It is too slow for those security and warehouse applications and the range is too short.  If they want to sell to the elderly, they need a sitting version. 

What is the range of a Segway?

[Bigjake]

have we effectively forgotten how to walk?

[RevDisk]

have we effectively forgotten how to walk?

Judging by the lack of private Segway sales, I'd say no.  We know how to walk, and we'd prefer to do so to save some money.

[MicroBalrog]

Segways have sold for things like airport security, mall security, and what seems to be the best use, warehouse inventory gathering of small items. They mount them with small baskets, and they're good for zipping around the giant dropship warehouses used by companies such as Amazon.

For some reason, they never brought to market the offroad four-wheel Centaur that would have had more of a general audience.

As a form of motorized assault wheelbarrow?

[Tallpine]

Back in the Middle Ages when I was a kid, we had these things called "roller skates".   

I remember at least one large auto parts store that had all their clerks wear roller skates to retrieve parts from the acres of shelves.

[Racehorse]

Is there any information on pricing? I think that was the big problem with the Segway. It's just too expensive. If someone could put one out for around $1000 or less, I think they'd do very well with it.

That said, I think those things are stupid. I'd rather just walk.

[Perd Hapley]

have we effectively forgotten how to walk?

Yeah, what's with people riding horses, donkeys, camels, trains, bicycles, motor-cars, motorcycles, and those airplane things?  Zeppelins, even.  Guess we forgot how to walk a few thousand years ago. 

[Boomhauer]

Back in the Middle Ages when I was a kid, we had these things called "roller skates".   

I remember at least one large auto parts store that had all their clerks wear roller skates to retrieve parts from the acres of shelves.

Not all of us can use roller skates/ roller blades...

[crt360]

Judging by the popularity of the hoveround and similar scooters (basically near-zero turn radius electric wheelchairs with candy apple red paint jobs) in my area, Toyota and Segway might consider slapping a seat and maybe a basket on there if they plan on selling many.

[Marvin Dao]

I don't understand a couple things.  This thing goes too slow and only goes for 3 miles.  It is too slow for those security and warehouse applications and the range is too short.  If they want to sell to the elderly, they need a sitting version. 

What is the range of a Segway?

Range is advertised as 24 miles, which is reasonably decent. Speed is 12.5 mph, which is pretty good. That isn't much lower than the ANSI spec for maximum golf cart speed (15 mph).

[AJ Dual]

I could see the little red one with the knee-bar being all the rage for women wearing floor-length hoop skirts to glide about supernaturally for some steampunk convention... 

[ilbob]

I thought Segway failed commercially?

pretty much. they have been able to sell some to various government agencies though. they actually make some sense for certain things. pretty useless for commuting for most people though.

[Iain]

As I understand it, the problem with the Segway is that in many countries it is not legal to use them on the pavement/sidewalk.

You aren't allowed to use motorised vehicles other than wheelchairs or mobility scooters here, and considering the speed even mobility scooters can achieve, I'm not unhappy about that situation. There are enough of them out there now that add Segway-alikes to that and you're going to reach a sort of tipping point where all the fragile older people are going to have to get scooters just to be able to move around town safely.

[Tallpine]

Back in the Middle Ages when I was a kid, we had these things called "roller skates".   

I remember at least one large auto parts store that had all their clerks wear roller skates to retrieve parts from the acres of shelves.

Not all of us can use roller skates/ roller blades...

Then you don't qualify to work there

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I could see the little red one with the knee-bar being all the rage for women wearing floor-length hoop skirts to glide about supernaturally for some steampunk convention... 

That would be cool.

I've seen women  wearing long dresses over those wheeled shoes to achieve that gliding-effortlessly look.  It's quite striking to see a beautiful woman in a beautiful formal dress moving without any apparent effort.

[seeker_two]

I could see the little red one with the knee-bar being all the rage for women wearing floor-length hoop skirts to glide about supernaturally for some steampunk convention... 

For some reason, visions of Kaylee are dancing through my head....