Segway Centuar gets examined in-depth

While there unfortunately still isn't any word on when it might be available, those curious about the long-in-development Segway Centaur may want to head over to MotorcycleUSA, which has put together a fairly in-depth look at the four-wheeled vehicle for those that haven't been following its every move. Of course, it's still to early to tell if it'll have the profound effect on our lives that the original Segway has had, but they seem confident that the vehicle will at least provide some "unadulterated fun" -- if it's ever actually released, that is. They do see a few potential problems with it, however, including the not-insignificant possibility for the rider to be thrown off during sharp turns due to the vehicle's high center of gravity. On the plus side, that could at least make Segway polo a bit more interesting.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

[SumYungGai @ Apr 27th 2007 6:26PM]

Hey look, its the 40 Year Old Virgin! Wheeeeeee!

This thing shouldn't be called a 'centaur' -- it should be called the Uberdork Transport.

[LukeA @ Apr 27th 2007 6:51PM]

I want to see a single-wheel Segway, sort of like a reverse ball mouse(remember those?).

[synthaxx @ Apr 27th 2007 7:04PM]

I think they're more of an "UberGEEK" transport.
I'd imagine google buying a whole fleet of these.

And if they ever get released, i'll get one for "driving" to work (and popping wheelies). Nothing like a centaur to get a conversation started ;)

[spacegravity4me @ Apr 27th 2007 7:32PM]

you know what, leave the segway alone. Aside from the price, the only reason it hasn't changed the world is because of us. The truth is we all want these machines of our dreams but once someone makes em we're all too friggin stubborn to adapt enough to use them and then we complain that only dorks would ride them cause we are too embarrassed to be ourselves. News flash guys, we are the dorks. There might be enough of us that when we are all together we feel "normal(as if there is a normal) but to the rest of the world we are "dorks". Personally, I think it's cool. I got no problem being a dork. Trust me, no one else but us dorks and nerds are checking engadget 25 times a day to stay on top of things. Anyway, I know that was a bit of a rant for nothing, but still... Rant over.

[Brad @ Apr 27th 2007 8:07PM]

Okay....so the Segway is what, when you really get down to it? A $5000 alternative to walking. One that's illegal in most cities.

No, the reason the Segway hasn't "changed the world" isn't because we're stubborn, it's because it's a bad idea that's poorly implemented.

Dean Kamen - for all his early-life brilliance, has lost sight of a real consumer. He doesn't produce products people can use, he produces lifestyle products for his billionaire buddies. A wheelchair that climbs stairs? Brilliant. $30,000 to buy it? Not exactly changing the world. A scooter that you can roll around on at up to 7mph, with a 24mi range? Mildly interesting. $5,000 for the privilege...suddenly no one cares.

This isn't stubbornness. This is a bad product trying to hide behind being a "revolution" that the world wasn't ready for.

[spacegravity4me @ Apr 27th 2007 7:34PM]

P.S. Dork up or dork the shizz out! Who's team are you on anyway? ;P

[Shaun @ Apr 27th 2007 8:05PM]

I just don't get it. The problem they're trying to solve was solved over 100 years ago. It's called the bicycle. Infinite range (as opposed to 10 - 15 miles), 25lbs (not 140lbs), faster and cheaper.

[Brad @ Apr 27th 2007 8:10PM]

Oh, I forgot to mention: The Centaur is what....the offspring of the iBot and the Segway? All of the price, none of the functionality?

It's like an ATV for the offspring of Billionaires instead of white trash. And it's slower. 25mph? Hold me, it's almost as fast as a bicycle.

[spacegravity4me @ Apr 27th 2007 8:33PM]

actually you have a point there. I don't totally get the centaur myself, but the segway can balance itself! You know, to be honest that might be it's main contribution to, you know, stuff.... like robots or something. Or the balancing tech might have already been around with gyros n stuff. I don't know. What I do at least think I know is that eventually the costs of producing a segway, or at the very least, something like it, will be nill and they'll be as cheap as bikes. I mean I'm SURRRE there was a time when bikes were new and just billionare play things. Everybody was like, " oh, just look at mr. richy rich on his bicycle! What's the matter, a horse not good enough for ya? That'll catch on!" Then one day bikes were cheap and now everybody loves em! See? lol.

[Shaun @ Apr 27th 2007 8:50PM]

There's no way 140lbs of electronics, battery and materials is going to be as cheap as a bicycle even if it was produced on a scale equalling the bicycle. And then there's still the issue of it being slower and heavier and illegal to actually use.

[spacegravity4me @ Apr 27th 2007 9:02PM]

i mean in like 50 or even 100 years

[Urza @ Apr 27th 2007 9:18PM]

I can't see how balancing itself is that complex of a task. I do believe I've seen lego robots capable of the same thing. The only thing revolutionary is the price tag. Who knew you could charge so much for so little?

[chris @ Apr 27th 2007 10:20PM]

I still view Segway transportation as transportation for the lazy/"show offs". Unless you have a condition which disallows you to walk or ride a bicycle, then get off your lazy ass and do so.

[directive0 @ Apr 27th 2007 10:44PM]

Sorry I really don't need a device to rob my body of the few calorie burning activities I have left.

[wWw @ Apr 27th 2007 11:50PM]

3 words: NERDS GONE WILD

[shkolnick @ Apr 28th 2007 12:17AM]

Just want to clear up a few rampant misconceptions:
First of all, they are not "banned in most cities". As far as I know, only two cities, Key West and San Fransisco have banned them entirely. A small handful of cities have restrictions preventing their use in certain parts of town, but that's a far cry from a universal ban. The top speed is 12.5, not 7, and they weigh about 100 pounds, not 140, and their range is about 25 miles, not 10.
I love how whenever the Segway is posted in this site, everyone becomes a health nut. I'm sure all of you are in peak physical condition and walk everywhere you need to go. Wouldn't even dream of using a car unless you had to go like 50 miles, right? Hypocrites...

[John Doe @ Apr 28th 2007 5:24AM]

Well we can't tell who owns one in this thread. *rolls eyes.

[eric fischer @ Apr 28th 2007 11:18AM]

what I don't get is how this is anything like a Segway? the brilliance of the Segway is that it is self balancing, works intuitively with your movements, and is kinda space efficient since it stands up and has a small footprint. This thing seems to offer little in the way of any innovation other that maybe being electric powered?

[yeah @ Apr 28th 2007 12:19PM]

you're sitting at your computer posting a comment on engadget. you are a nerd. calling a segway nerdy doesn't make you any less of one.

[tekdroid @ Apr 28th 2007 6:26PM]

I want that seat on my bike, but without the intense concentration.

We are looking at niche products. Not mainstream products. No matter how you slice it. Even with the prices in pedal-powered bike territory, we are still looking at niche products. The bike does many things better and maintenance costs will always be farrrrr lower. Last I checked even the perenially lazy enjoy a cycle now and then, too. In most car-centric socieities, bikes are used for little more than recreation to begin with, so here we have a device that doesn't do what a car does best, doesn't do what a bike does best, and will likely cost a lot.

Niche.

[Shaun @ Apr 28th 2007 8:56PM]

shkolnick, perhaps you should read the article about the centaur. The figures we're talking about are from that article, not about the two wheeled Segway. That's where the 140lbs weight and 10-15 mile range come from.

Apart from that, Segways are banned in EVERY city in the UK and many other countries from use on either the pavement (sidewalk in US terms) or the road. The Centaur will probably not be legal at all here either since it's top speed is 25mph, which makes it a full vehicle requiring type approval and number plates and tax here at least. Top speed allowed is 14mph here to avoid being classed as a vehicle and IIRC it has to be assistive only, not the main form of propulsion.

And no I don't have a car, yes I walk or cycle everywhere I can. I use one of these...

http://www.xtracycle.com/

Much more practical than a Segway.

[Gareth @ Apr 30th 2007 7:40AM]

Segways are not "banned in EVERY city in the UK". A ban and something not being legal (yet) are two different things. Plus, the UK doesn't legislate city-by-city like in the US (state-by-state). A Segway has its place, its uses, its unique features. Some people get it, others don't. It will take time for people to adjust. And if the comments on here are anything to go by (by those whom you might think embrace technology and gadgetry) it will take time.

[Shaun @ Apr 30th 2007 5:37PM]

Semantics. They're still not legal and I don't see why they ever should be.

[Isidore @ May 4th 2007 1:31PM]

I'd like to see you legalise the bicycle if it were invented today. So why the 'red flag act' attitude to the Segway?
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it- this is Engadget isn't it? not Enluddite?

[Lon Meyers @ Aug 15th 2007 7:11PM]

I am 71 years old, my wife is 68 years old... I plan on getting 2 new segways in 3 weeks... Dose anyone have any suggestion/information on sagway clubs in the St. Louis, MO. (Ballwin, MO.) area??? If you have anyother suggestion about getting our first segways, please let us know... Thank You...