Six years of Segway: the profound effect on the human race

We'll admit, every so often a certain well-constructed spoof just catches you right, and in the case of the always-witty Onion, a perfectly executed mini-newscast covering the "profound effect" of the Segway really demonstrates how much of a non-factor this thing has been. Since the original launch in 2001, a good amount of folks have avoided the two-wheeled human transporter for one reason or another -- you know, things like uncontrollably reversing, it being banned in their country, the astonishingly high pricetag, and the oh-so-critical embarrassment factor -- and the "revolution" that it was supposed to spark has still not lit a flame. Sure, Jackie Chan may have demanded that the cast members on the set of Rush Hour III all get to their places via Segway, but c'mon, we'd surmise that the vast majority of dignified individuals would rather gallop around in a horse hoof alerting hybrid than face public humiliation on one of these things. Regardless of its impact (or glaring lack thereof), be sure to hit the read link if you need a chuckle. [Warning: link contains mild profanity]

[Thanks, Ben]

[Tom @ Apr 27th 2007 4:36AM]

I think [the design] sucks. Its shape is not innovative, it's not elegant and it doesn't feel anthropomorphic. - Steve Jobs
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3533.html

[Crayola @ Apr 27th 2007 5:18AM]

C'mon guys! You're too harsh! All it need is a bit a pimping! Add some chrome spinning hubcaps, a 500W woofer, 8 LCD screens, front, back and bottom, jumping hydraulic suspension, you will be the coolest cat with everybody watchin' ye!

[Ang Wang Ting @ Apr 27th 2007 5:44AM]

You are being too cynical. Give it a try. And, so what that it's potential has not been realised? That's not a reason for it to be put down. Also, I don't see relation between having no diginity and riding a segway. The moral judgement is too strange to say the least.

[Mike10010100 @ Apr 27th 2007 6:25AM]

THE ONION! That's classic. Of course, by saying that it came from "The Onion" almost entitles it to profanity.

Thanks Engadget, this made my day! :-)

[tkn0spdr @ Apr 27th 2007 7:22AM]

Those peeps that cruise around Epcot Center are sure some swingin' cool cats. :)

[JinKazama @ Apr 27th 2007 7:57AM]

Ya know I really thought this thing was going to be a lot bigger than it is. I never expected it to catch on with the masses but I thought municipalities throughout the country and world would be all over this thing for parking attendants, police officers on the beat at sporting events....

Unfortunately I think it will go the way of the newton, a revolutionary product that was before its time.

[baruchatta @ Apr 27th 2007 8:10AM]

Comparing the $8000 Segway to a $200 bicycle...
Segway - dorky
Bike - cool
Segway - for the eldery
Bike - for the young
Segway - ya gotta admit, someone on a Segway looks like he thinks himself better than the common people.
Bike - One of us. Again, the cool factor.

[Galley @ Apr 27th 2007 8:47AM]

If you had ever driven one, you would become a believer.

[Jeff Crow @ Apr 27th 2007 8:54AM]

Yes, but....

I think there is a future for electric substitutes for walking. It may be something like this:

http://www.gosportinggoods.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=16&zenid=1d4905efe0894373e5ae6eb8cdd53ad7

[stewart @ Apr 27th 2007 10:27AM]

I've ridden a Segway, and they are a remarkable piece of engineering. After a minute or two of instruction anyone can ride one, and the steering is pretty intuitive.

These things are not for everyone (the price tag ensures that), but for people with mobility limitations, they're a godsend; People with heart conditions may also find them useful. For example, a friend of mine suffered a severe sporting accident and now can barely walk, yet she doesn't want to capitulate and resort to a wheelchair, which would only limit her further. By buying a Segway, she can now get around on her own, and the need to stand while riding gives her some mild exercise. Could she have just bought a bike instead? Perhaps, but both her ankles are smashed, which makes it painful to pedal.

So, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Still, if these things were $700 instead of $7000, there'd be a whole lot more of them around.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Apr 27th 2007 11:26AM]

While the segway as a whole hasn't had a profound effect on the human race, if we look at the underlying technology we see that it has had a very profound effect that has furthered scientific development throughout the world.

I'm talking about its gyro-scoping technology, first used for Dean Kamen wheelchair and later refined for this device.

[Will @ Apr 27th 2007 12:02PM]

C'mon!!! nuff said

http://litwit.typepad.com/litwit/images/113gobsegwayracesm.jpg

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ Apr 27th 2007 12:25PM]

Lily Allen's homage to the Segway...

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=36707169&albumID=0&imageID=2933143

[Trent @ Apr 27th 2007 1:50PM]

We have a few Segways at my company and a long smooth cement hallway for the forklifts to use the Segways on and the only good use we have ever got out of them.

SEGWAY JOUSTING!!!

I need to post pics somewhere as we use the large cardboard tubes left in the hallways from the shrinkwrap machine to use as lances.

We have rules for the game and all that. ;-)

[Isaaac Kastama @ Apr 27th 2007 8:32PM]

I happen to own a segway and it is awesome. Its a first gen, so its showing age, but it still runs like a champ. I'm in the process of getting a new paint job, I'm considering flames up the side. And yes I may feel better than everyone else when I'm on it, but for several grand its a lot cheaper to get the point across then to buy a ferrari.

[me duh @ Apr 27th 2007 11:52PM]

I'd say it has reached its potential. Where it sits now is representative of all the potential it ever had. It really makes no sense.

[Greg @ Apr 30th 2007 5:43PM]

I like the misinformation passed on by people that don't have a clue what they are talking about.

Segways don't cost $8000 and a $200 bike is a piece of crap.

Do you buy you're bikes at Target? You mentality says you do so enjoy and I'll enjoy my Segway

[baruchatta @ Jun 7th 2007 1:23PM]

"...Do you buy you're bikes at Target? You mentality says you do so enjoy and I'll enjoy my Segway..."

See? that is just the egotistical snobbery that I was talking about. Grow up.

BTW Target/Walmart bikes are just fine, and just as much fun.