Here "IT" is

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:42 pm

http://www.time.com/time/business/artic ... -1,00.html

......

No comment until I actually get to try "IT" out.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:45 pm

More official pics and stories:

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/03/techn ... 3THIN.html

http://www.time.com/time/2001/segway/index.html

the_mp3_refuge · Post by **the_mp3_refuge** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:45 pm

Geez dude that's crazy! Lean forward to go forward and think about stoping to stop! Where can I sign up cause I'm sure these are gonna sell big time.

Bob

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:49 pm

Well its not just "thinking" about stopping, just a slight lean back, one that's probably just a normal reaction. Its not wired to your brain or anything.

But like I said, talk and stuff is fine, but I'd like to try one out to make some actual opinions.

TEH WIN · Post by **TEH WIN** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:52 pm

somebody posted the idea about it earlier with a really bad link... but your AWESOME find has the entire articly. man i wanna try this. better start savin now, only 3,000 dollars

TEH WIN · Post by **TEH WIN** » Sun Dec 02, 2001 11:59 pm

oh ya, and im definatly investing in this..

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:00 am

neeatoooooo!!

good find

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:00 am

Haven't we all known what it was for several months? I know I heard almost an exact description of what it turned out to be during the summer or fall. So much for the big secret.

Opinions? Biggest...flop...EVAR!!!!!11

- No one will want to charge the thing all the time
- No one will use it in the winter, or rain for that matter (so much for the Seattle market)
- Adults don't want to ride around on scooters
- Where are these things parked and how are they secured? Anyone on one is just asking to be mugged...and given their speed they'd be better off running for it.

It's clear the inventor is worried about not getting support. Going on national TV (ala Bill Gates with XP) is merely a last ditch attempt to spark interest among peope who've never heard of it or forgot the thing even existed.

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:00 am

that's awesome as hell!!!!

"think: kill everyone. MWHAHAHHA!!" lol

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:02 am

Originally posted by jz
Haven't we all known what it was for several months? I know I heard almost an exact description of what it turned out to be during the summer or fall. So much for the big secret.

Opinions? Biggest...flop...EVAR!!!!!11

- No one will want to charge the thing all the time
- No one will use it in the winter, or rain for that matter (so much for the Seattle market)
- Adults don't want to ride around on scooters
- Where are these things parked and how are they secured? Anyone on one is just asking to be mugged...and given their speed they'd be better off running for it.

It's clear the inventor is worried about not getting support. Going on national TV (ala Bill Gates with XP) is merely a last ditch attempt to spark interest among peope who've never heard of it or forgot the thing even existed.

All that we "knew" was some vague descriptions and some rough scetchings on the patent reports. This is the first time that they've actually described the actual thing as well as the first time its been SHOWN.

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:03 am

omfg this is k000l

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:04 am

it's definatly sounds like it could be very useful....just like a scooter, but doesn't use gas or waste anything, plus you dont have to really do much to activate it, IE, no pushing of brakes, no throttle....it could be the next big thing.....

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:10 am

Does it say how fast it can go? I dont feel like reading that whole thing...

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:13 am

Oh come on, this isn't anything new...Europe has had very economical scooters in place for decades. They may have gas engines and lack an auto-balance feature, but they still target the same market and serve the same purpose.

I guess what I'm saying is, a revolutionary product lets you do incredibly useful things you couldn't do before. The printing press did it, the automobile did it, the plane did it, the internet did it...what does this let people do that they couldn't do before?

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:24 am

It lets people get from point a to point b, the safest way possible. Its even safer than walking, as they say...

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:27 am

"In every Segway there are 10 microprocessors cranking out three PCs' worth of juice. Also a cluster of aviation-grade gyros, an accelerometer, a bevy of sensors, two batteries and software so sophisticated it puts Microsoft to shame. "

Hah.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:32 am

Originally posted by jz
.............The printing press did it, the automobile did it, the plane did it, the internet did it...what does this let people do that they couldn't do before?

Get from point A to point B FASTER than walking, without the need for the size and costs of a car.

12 MPH is faster than people walk, or even run (no, I'm not counting those insane marathon runners from Kenya

) for the most part, and to be able to do that as economically like this, you must realize that this COULD help revolutionize transportation.

YES, it may flop, but people said the same things about other forms of transportation.

So what if Europe had gas scooters like this. We had horse-drawn carrages before cars, similar concept, but the automobile revolutionized transportation, just like tying a cart to a horse did hundreds (if not thousands) of years before. Its nothing NEW, just the next step.

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:36 am

I think a lot of people here are tech *****s, eager to buy something because of the artificial hype pumped down their throats.

Same thing goes for the people who went out and paid top dollar for a GF3 on day one, even though no games made use of the new features. Unless you can see a difference between 140 frames and 200 frames on your 85Hz monitor.

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:37 am

jz i agree with you on your Video Game views, but im going to have to disagree with you on this one

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:39 am

And where are they gonna travel? 12 MPH is too fast for the sidewalk, too slow for the roads. Besides, it's not like having this will allow you to get rid of your car...you'd still need it for carry grocies, travelling long distances, going out in the cold, etc.

Incognito · Post by **Incognito** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:41 am

12mph is the TOP speed, it doesn't mean you have to GO 12mph....

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:43 am

That's the point, you're not gonna go any faster than the crowd of people that's always on sidewalks. Doesn't sound faster or more convienent to me, especially since you're faced with the problem of what to do with it once you get there.

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:44 am

12mph is not too fast for sidewalk......as you come to a turn or something, you slow down as needed. 100mph is too fast for normal driving, yet we make cars and other vehicles that go 300mph +....for no reason at all than to go fast.

I could see myself buying one of these as prices drop.....it's the next step like big jim said.

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:48 am

Gonna use it in the rural area of Holland, Ohio?

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 12:52 am

I listed the plane as a revolutionary invention, as the potential for global travel was always there down the road. So much for that shot at me.

Get from point A to point B FASTER than walking, without the need for the size and costs of a car.

Same thing could be said for a bike, which doesn't cost several thousand dollars I might add.

smaier69 · Post by **smaier69** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:00 am

well, all i have to say is this...

though the technology could be classified as revolutionary, i think the public will only see it (the device) as evolutionary. we would use it as a way to get from point "a" to point "b", but not in a revolutionary way. bicycles, scooters, taxis, cars and the like have provided us with the same functionality for years.

just because something is a good idea (which i believe it is) doesnt guarantee its success. humans are fickle and can be "highly illogical" in the way they live their lives.

lets take Velcro as an example. the man that invented Velcro (and its process of manufacture) died penniless. at the time of its inception, fancy buttons were in style, and so majority of the fastener market was devoted to that even though the utilitarian advantages of Velcro far exceeded buttons.

look at Velcro now. its everywhere you turn.

i actually see the technology being used in other areas or industries before adults want to hop on a very expensive (yet very neat) scooter.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:14 am

Originally posted by jz

Same thing could be said for a bike, which doesn't cost several thousand dollars I might add.

You forget. We live in a lazy country, populated with lazy citizens. Why bike when you can just stand and scoot around with virtually no effort?

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:26 am

I'm hard pressed to think of a product more destined for failure...XFL comes close, though.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:28 am

Originally posted by jz
I'm hard pressed to think of a product more destined for failure...XFL comes close, though.

Knowing you, I'm surprised you didn't say the XBOX...

drdoug99 · Post by **drdoug99** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:34 am

Originally posted by jz
Gonna use it in the rural area of Holland, Ohio?

Yep....LOL, most likely not....as any area worthy of going to takes a lot longer than that mere scooter could travel.

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:42 am

Don't get me wrong BJS, X-Box will fall into mediocrity before 2003, but this scooter won't even taste the initial success X-Box has. You forget, America is all about image, and riding around on a scooter isn't good for your image.

The only practical use I see for this is transportation for the elderly or injured.

TEH WIN · Post by **TEH WIN** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:44 am

Id use it to take me too and from school. I think it would have a big advantage for me because everything is within 5 miles from me.

smaier69 · Post by **smaier69** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:55 am

this actually reminds me of a joke i heard a few years back....

Q: you know what the difference is between a scooter and a fat chick?

A: its great until your freinds see you riding one.

times have changed since then, but i guess we shall see.

Indy · Post by **Indy** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 1:58 am

Anyone ever hear of Edsel? Just a thought

jz · Post by jz » Mon Dec 03, 2001 2:23 am

minir · Post by **minir** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 2:28 am

Hi BIGJIMSLATE

Guy's

Thanks BIGJIMSLATE

No doubt it will find a market in many industrial applications. It won't take much i'm sure to add a little trailer to it to make it more serviceable.

Inside warehouses, places with sunny climes etc.

no pollution, no parking probs etc will help it sell.

It will no doubt lead to other designs that will be more functional.

No doubt it will survive and make a bundle for someone.

Revolutionary in some ways, a major step for mankind, no, imho.

regards

minir

Bouncer · Post by **Bouncer** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 10:47 am

Questions:

How many do you think they'll sell to college kids?
(I bet a lot)

How many do you think they'll sell to the scooter crowd here and in Europe.
(Again, a lot)

How many do you think they'll sell to folks who don't need a wheelchair yet can't walk very far.
(more than a few)

How many to teenagers who can't afford a car?
(a lot)

How many to young urbanites? (a LOT).

You might think America is all about image. Not really accurate though, as scooters are wildly popular and I've never seen anyone on one that didn't look a bit dorky.

I think your playing devils advocate. Personally, I think they will be successful, though they won't transform the universe.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

EvilAjax · Post by **EvilAjax** » Mon Dec 03, 2001 11:52 am

That looks kind of cool...... PSYCH!!! Bahahahahaaa

I'll stick to rollerblades and bike riding. Screw pedestrians, I ride through the sidewalk and knock 'em all down!