4 ms·
Came here to say this, with just one addition: I think there is a select group of people for whom the Segway has a legitimate use--I'm thinking along the lines
by avinashv 17y ago
Came here to say this, with just one addition:
I think there is a select group of people for whom the Segway has a legitimate use--I'm thinking along the lines of people who have trouble walking long distances (say, more than 5-10 minutes). I've seen a lot of people using the Segway for this purpose.
But as a normal means of transportation? No. Price, need, rules for usage etc. are pretty big hindrances for purchase.
- Afton 17y agoActually, electric wheelchairs are superior for this purpose. People with mobility issues generally aren't going to want to stand for the 5-10 minutes. I've never ridden one, but if it requires core strength at all to lean-steer, then that rules it out for most people with disabilities.
- ShabbyDoo 17y agoIIRC, Kamen was contractually prohibited from marketing the Segway as a health aid after selling the wheelchair with similar technology to J&J. One Segway dealer told me that a 3rd party retrofits them with seats for use by those who can't stand/walk for long periods but don't really need a wheelchair. Those who say, "Well, you could use a bike, wheelchair, etc." don't understand the use case. A person who can't walk long distances might use it in the mall to go from store to store. Then, when he sees something he wanted to look at, he could get off and browse around for a few minutes. It's the walk from the parking lot to the shoe section at WalMart that gets them -- it's not the few minutes spent perusing the boots.