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I agree that the dork factor is working against the Segway, but I don't think it's the dominant factor in it's failure. If Segways were significantly better sol
by ccc3 17y ago
I agree that the dork factor is working against the Segway, but I don't think it's the dominant factor in it's failure. If Segways were significantly better solutions to the problem of transportation in dense areas, ordinary people would have started to use them and the dork factor would have faded away.
In my view the biggest reason for the Segway's failure is that it's a product designed for an infrastructure that doesn't exist. Kamen and his team envisioned cities without cars when they were designing the Segway. Unfortunately all that's available are crowded sidewalks, making the Segway the most expensive way to move along at walking pace.
- robg 17y agoI agree on the infrastructure part. Still it does seem like we're moving in the direction they've envisioned. Some European countries are now closing some streets to car traffic and NYC recently closed sections around Times Square. The car culture is changing but it's going to take a while. Even then though, I don't think the Segway will ever succeed in that market as currently designed. It is dorky. Problem is, I don't know what an alternative should look like. It feels like I'll know it when I see it.