I was thinking the same thing, that the real big news of IT is the gyroscopic stabilization. There must be countless applications for such a device. I like the way Kamen describes driving IT as "bending space" (or something like that, sorry to paraphrase, I'm just not gonna go back and read all those links to find the exact quote) I'm hoping that such langauge hints at something bigger than a scooter, but it might just be wacky inventor speak or savy language of a marketing campaign.
Can anyone point out a shematic of the mechanics. The gyro sounds like a horizontal flyweel. My guess is that this grounding effect probably accounts for 2/3 it's total weight. Note the distance of the rider from the ground.
I haven't seen schematics, but I think there are 5 gyroscopes in this thing. My guess is that most of the weight (and the space in the bottom part of the unit) are for the battery. Batteries are really heavy.
That sounds right about the batteries. The Segway page was not forthcoming with real deatils. The patent drawing was even more exageratedly tall in the saddle. Your probably also also right about the real story being the pattents on the gyros for future aplications. Meantime they'll be sold to industry, the postal service and the type of person who can afford them. Before everyone could afford lace up rollerskates you could rent them at a rink. Who wants to open the Chelsea pier concession ? Final product not too hard on the eyes but I'd still watch my toes when they start cutting through crowds at any speed.
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- steve 12-04-2001 8:28 pm
Can anyone point out a shematic of the mechanics. The gyro sounds like a horizontal flyweel. My guess is that this grounding effect probably accounts for 2/3 it's total weight. Note the distance of the rider from the ground.
- bill 12-04-2001 9:47 pm [add a comment]
I haven't seen schematics, but I think there are 5 gyroscopes in this thing. My guess is that most of the weight (and the space in the bottom part of the unit) are for the battery. Batteries are really heavy.
- jim 12-04-2001 10:31 pm [add a comment]
That sounds right about the batteries. The Segway page was not forthcoming with real deatils. The patent drawing was even more exageratedly tall in the saddle. Your probably also also right about the real story being the pattents on the gyros for future aplications. Meantime they'll be sold to industry, the postal service and the type of person who can afford them. Before everyone could afford lace up rollerskates you could rent them at a rink. Who wants to open the Chelsea pier concession ? Final product not too hard on the eyes but I'd still watch my toes when they start cutting through crowds at any speed.
- bill 12-05-2001 12:06 am [add a comment]