 |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
The Segway HT is a self-balancing motorized scooter with two wheels on a single axle, invented by Dean Kamen and unveiled in December 2001.
The scooter is designed to be used on sidewalks and other pedestrian areas, hence its footprint is not much bigger than that of a human being. While using Segways on sidewalks is prohibited in some American and European cities, in most locations its use is allowed, in some places explicitely.
In December 2003, the Associated Press reported that The Pentagon had purchased several Segways, as part of a research program called Mobile Autonomous Robot Software, an attempt to develop more advanced military robots.
The Segway HT has electric motors powered by batteries which can be charged from household current. It balances with the help of internal computers and gyroscopic sensors. (The gyroscopes do not affect the balance; they are merely used as sensors.) The motors rotate the wheels forwards or backwards as needed for balance or propulsion. The rider accelerates or decelerates by leaning forward or backwards in the direction she wishes to travel. Steering is controlled by a twist grip on the left handlebar. When standing, the Segway uses two small additional wheels for stabilization; these wheels retract during the ride.
The Segway HT's maximum speed is 12 mph (19 km/h). Maximum power is 2 horsepower (1500 watt). The p-series is capable of covering 6-10 miles (10-16 km) on a fully charged battery, depending on terrain. It takes 4-6 hours to recharge.
As of 2004 there are three series available:
The price of Segway is about 4000-5000 dollars, depending on the model.
Prior to its unveiling on December 3, 2001, various reports and rumours of a revolutionary invention could be found in the media, but no details were available. Initial reception was enthusiastic; venture capitalist John Doerr predicted $1 billion in sales faster than after any other product launch. The factory in Bedford, New Hampshire was designed to build up to 40 thousands unit per month.
The unit's high price is most likely responsible for the underwhelming demand. The company had expected to sell 50-100 thousand units in the first year, but after 21 months only 6000 units had been sold. The figure was revealed during the voluntary recall of all Segways in September 2003; a software glitch had caused some riders to fall off their Segways under low battery conditions.
As of 2004, the company is struggling to repay the investments in R&D and production (the factory alone was estimated to cost more than 100 million dollars). Although most publications are currently sceptical in tone, it can be speculated that the Segway will still be a commercial success once the investment is written off (similar to how it happened with Iridium). It is also worth noting that by its nature the idea was approached by the investors as high-risk, high-return venture project.
March 30, 2004, a group of owners formed SEGAmerica.org (www.segamerica.org) a grass-roots effort to unite Segway owners and enthusiasts across America.
The Segway HT has been known by the names Ginger and IT in the past. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" (a transition); HT is an initialism for human transporter.
The inspiration behind the Segway came from the balancing technology of Kamen's innovative wheelchair, the IBOT, which can climb stairs, and prop itself up onto two wheels, to raise the user into a nearly-upright position.
The invention and development of the Segway is the subject of Code Name Ginger (the paperback edition is entitled Reinventing the Wheel), a book by journalist Steve Kemper.
The Segway HT resembles the motorized, gyroscopically stabilized unicycles in the science fiction short story by Robert A. Heinlein entitled "The Roads Must Roll."
An alternative power source currently being explored by Kamen's company is the use of a Stirling engine to power the Segway. Stirling engines use hot and cold in a phased rhythm to move a piston by gas expansion. Stirling engines could not "run themselves", as an external heat source must be provided somehow. The Peltier effect might be used. Stirling engines do have zero angular momentum and reduced vibration and are thus well suited for two-wheeled vehicles.
|
||||
| View Live Article | This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License | |
||
