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World's Most Overrated Gadgets and Technologies 17

by Thomas Houston on October 7, 2008 at 01:45 PM


The Segway

The promise: Hyped as the next evolution transport on it's debut back in 2001, the two-wheeled, self-balancing Segway promised to change how we moved through our urban environment. Its innovative steering mechanism works as follows: Tilting forward forces the machine forward, tilting back lets you go backwards, and leaning left and right are self-explanatory. Even Steve Jobs said it would be "as big a deal as the PC," though he went on to criticize the design.

Why It's overrated: Setting aside the fact that it's impossible not to look extremely silly while riding around on one of these battery-powered beasts, the Segway has a few other faults. It'll run you a cool five grand to revolutionize your own mode of personal transport, it's rather bulky, and you're a bit of a danger on crowded sidewalks.

Bottom line: Despite the faults, it seems like the Segway just isn't going to go away. Rising gas prices have helped Segway sales, and somehow these things have caught on with tourism -- if you haven't already, you'll be seeing tour groups Segwaying through your city.


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