The DU Lounge

IcyPeas

(21,966 posts) Sat Dec 4, 2021, 01:33 AM Dec 2021

On December 3, 2001, Dean Kamen unveiled his self-balancing, 'human transporter,' the Segway

These never really caught on did they?

Link to tweet

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

On December 3, 2001, Dean Kamen unveiled his self-balancing, 'human transporter,' the Segway (Original Post) IcyPeas Dec 2021 OP

this is the latest version I want if I win the lottery eShirl Dec 2021 #1

Talk to MicroProcessor Design, in Burlington, VT OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2021 #3

One of the coolest guys I have ever met. We had a sales person that had Dean's ear. OAITW r.2.0 Dec 2021 #2

Nice, fun. But IMO transportation for one with no storage... brush Dec 2021 #4

Their lack of catching on is probably due to branching/diverging variations... RockRaven Dec 2021 #5

as recently as 6 years ago, I'd see a guy riding one home from work Demovictory9 Dec 2021 #6

Far more than I thought they would, seeing some police and mall security guards on them.. hlthe2b Dec 2021 #7

eShirl

(18,515 posts)

1. this is the latest version I want if I win the lottery

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 01:43 AM

Dec 2021

https://www.segway.com/loomo/

A self-balancing robot you can step onto & ride around like a "hovercraft"

(disclaimer: I don't play the lottery, it's just an expression)

OAITW r.2.0

(24,902 posts)

3. Talk to MicroProcessor Design, in Burlington, VT

Reply to eShirl (Reply #1)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 01:51 AM

Dec 2021

They built the electronics / 8 dimensional MP interface to make Dean Kaman's platform work.

OAITW r.2.0

(24,902 posts)

2. One of the coolest guys I have ever met. We had a sales person that had Dean's ear.

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 01:49 AM

Dec 2021

We quoted some power supplies, but, no luck. Still, the dude is pretty amazing....and he can model integrated metals, plastics, and electonics into a functional model. In his shop. Brilliant dude.

brush

(54,017 posts)

4. Nice, fun. But IMO transportation for one with no storage...

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 02:06 AM

Dec 2021

or relaxing seating space will always a nice and fun novelty.

RockRaven

(15,139 posts)

5. Their lack of catching on is probably due to branching/diverging variations...

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 02:31 AM

Dec 2021

Everything gets smaller and smarter and smoother and other brands take over... As much as we tap out stuff qwerty style on our phones these days, few of us use BlackBerrys anymore...

Two wheels horizontally aligned -- those "hoverboards" (which infamously caught fire) and such

Two wheels vertically aligned -- various electric scooters

One wheel in line with user's body -- various electric unicycles like Inmotion, Solowheel, etc.

One wheel perpendicular to user's body -- various single wheel skateboard like Onewheel, etc.

Just a couple days ago I spotted a person using one of those electric unicycles on a nominally 35 mph surface street during commute time (they were only doing 15-20, but in the middle of the lane with cars ahead and behind).

Demovictory9

(32,521 posts)

6. as recently as 6 years ago, I'd see a guy riding one home from work

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 04:11 AM

Dec 2021

hlthe2b

(102,637 posts)

7. Far more than I thought they would, seeing some police and mall security guards on them..

Reply to IcyPeas (Original post)

Sat Dec 4, 2021, 09:12 AM

Dec 2021

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.