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Posts with tag Segway

Chimp Rides Segway While Man Chases After Him (Video)

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Oct 21st 2008 at 9:40AM


Why do we not learn our lesson? First, we created bionic chimps. Now, as can see in the above video, we're training chimps to ride Segways. What's next -- a motorized cavalry of android apes?

Okay, maybe we're getting all worked up over nothing. It's just a Japanese TV show, right? (One thing's for sure -- if they ever do a third remake of 'Planet of the Apes,' they'll all be riding Segways.)

Well, on the bright side, our chimpanzee friend, Pan-kun, does seem to have a little trouble steering the preferred dork transportation method, so perhaps we have a little while to prepare our defenses. [From: Neatorama]

Apple Co-Founder Marries Someone Other Than Kathy Griffin

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Aug 14th 2008 at 6:02PM

Woz Ties the KnotCongratulations to Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers, who tied the knot last weekend with his fiancée, who several outlets are making perfectly clear is not, repeat not, Kathy Griffin.

The name of Woz's new wife has not been released, but we think she must be a huge dork (we mean that in the best way possible) -- the ceremony was held at SegwayFest 2008. We're sure Woz will hold on to this one, a girl who will even go near a Segway, not to mention get wed at an event celebrating the crazy two-wheeled thing, is rare.

So best wishes to them both. Shine on you crazy diamonds! [Source: GeekSugar]
Engadget

Toyota Targets Segway with Winglet Personal Transportation

by Thomas Ricker, posted Aug 1st 2008 at 11:29AM


Prepare to step aside Segway, you had your chance to revolutionize personal transportation. Introducing the Toyota Winglet. Still under development, Winglet's body has a 10.4 x 18-inch footprint and stands 1.5-, 2.2-, or 3.7-feet tall (depending upon the S, M, or L model chosen) and features an electric motor capable of a max 6km/h cruising speed for up to 10km a jaunt (only 5km for the S model).

Like the Segway, the user controls the Winglet by shifting his weight to move the transporter forward and back or to make tight turns. Winglet will begin consumer testing at the Central Japan International Airport near Nagoya and Laguna Gamagori resort this Autumn with further testing in more crowded environments planned for 2009. It's planned to hit a production stride in 2010.

Hey Toyota, here's a hint: you'd better start lobbying for sidewalk legalization ASAP if you're hoping for global success. All three pictured after the break in order of S, M, and Large.

Update: Video added after the break to show just how nimble the handle-less S and M versions can be. [Source: Toyota Via Akihabara News]

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Continue reading Toyota Targets Segway with Winglet Personal Transportation

Segway CTO Joins Apple to Build Scary Future

by Christine Whitney, posted Jul 8th 2008 at 9:39AM



We first learned about Segways, those bizarre two-wheeled electric vehicles, the same way we learned about most things -- from our favorite TV show 'Arrested Development.' Originally we thought Segways were a joke intended to poke fun at Will Arnett's Gob Bluth character, but since then have been convinced of the Segway's veracity. We even saw a Segway tour venue outside the art museum in Philadelphia. Like being a tourist isn't embarrassing enough already!

Apple founding father Steve Jobs shares our sentiment about Segways...or so we thought. When he first saw the Segway, Jobs allegedly said succinctly "I think it sucks." But now, Apple's hired Segway's CTO, Doug Field, to be its new VP of product design!

Could the hiring of the sucky product's "driving [heh] force" be a step towards phasing out the aging Jobs? bloggers are wondering. We don't know, but we sure can't wait to see what kind of freak Mac-Segway babies come out of this marriage. [Source: TechCrunchIT]
Engadget

Segway Sales Hit All Time High, Thanks to High Oil Prices

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 18th 2008 at 9:54AM


We get that rising gas prices are putting folks in a world of hurt, but has it really gotten so bad that we're resorting to losing our dignity riding Segways? According to a recent writeup in 'The Wall Street Journal,' "sales at Segway Inc. have risen to an all-time high," and CEO Jim Norrod fully expects sales this quarter to "jump 50% from a year earlier."

Not surprisingly, many of its new customers are universities and public service divisions that are replacing traditional vehicles with the all-electric scooters, but we still get the impression that individuals are steering clear due to the their remarkably high prices (they start at $5,000) and laughable design. At least, that's what we'll continue to tell ourselves. [Source: The Wall Street Journal]
Engadget

Amputee Vets Riding On Free Segways, Thanks to Non-Profit Group

by Ryan Block, posted May 12th 2008 at 1:14PMBreaking News

Segway creator Dean Kamen's done a lot of work over the years building technologies for the disabled, which lends a bit of irony to the fact that his most well-known consumer transport, the Segway, is seeing some increased use by veterans.

The non-profit Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT) group has snapped up some 150 Segway units over the past few years -- 30 of which just went out last week -- to help amputees get around quicker and further than with your run of the mill wheelchair. Results of the Segs-4-Vets program sound positive, but at $6k a pop the price continues to be prohibitive for wider rollout and donation, even at discount directly from Segway. [Source: CNN]

[Thanks, Laura]

Two Teens Invent the Electric, Zero-Emissions Unicycle

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Aug 1st 2007 at 2:37PM

Canadian Teens Build Electric Unicycle

Leave it to a couple of Canadian teenagers to take the Segway concept and improve upon it. Two Ontario teens have created the Tango, an odd unicycle-like vehicle that runs on a souped-up electric wheelchair engine.

The vehicle resembles a motorcycle folded in half. Two wheels sit side by side, creating a single (but wide) surface that contacts the ground. The included accelerometer picks up the riders' motions to help steer and balance the device.

The Tango can hit speeds up to 40 miles-per-hour, which is significantly faster than the Segway. Drivers can also ride the new contraption while sitting down, a boon to those who just can't stand.

The Tango is based on a Yamaha motorcycle frame, so mass production shouldn't be too difficult.

And good news for the green crowd: The Tango has a zero-emissions electric motor!

From Engadget

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Crazy Woman Pushes Stroller on Segway

by Terrence O'Brien, posted May 26th 2007 at 12:22AM

Crazy Lady

We have no idea what this woman was thinking. Perhaps this is part of a yet to be aired candid-camera-style comedy show. Maybe she's training the baby to be a future thrill-seeker. Or maybe the simplest explanation is best -- she simply wasn't thinking.

This is hilarious and terribly disturbing. What on earth is this world coming to? Shouldn't this count as reckless endangerment?
The picture's so wack, it even inspired one person to write a poem.

From Crunch Gear and Live Journal

Attack of the Clones

by Tom Conlon, posted May 20th 2007 at 6:09PM

Attack of the ClonesRad2Go Q Electric Chariot
If you don't think riding a regular Segway already makes you enough of a target for laughs, insults and rocks, you can always man this cheaper knock-off instead: the Rad2Go Q Electric Chariot. Unlike the Segway, which uses a cool gyroscope system to balance you on two wheels, the Rad2Go model has four wheels and no fancy gyroscope. In fact, as far as we can tell, this is simply a regular old scooter that's been rebuilt to look like a Segway. It features a 10-watt motor that putters along at a top speed of 10 MPH for up to 15 miles on a single charge. Segways top out at 12.5 MPH and get 24 miles per charge. They also cost around $4,500, while a Rad2Go can be yours for just $900. In both cases, you must also fork over your dignity.

Spotted at UberReview

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