http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/ Engadget Comments for GM and Segway's P.U.M.A. makes its stage debut (with video!) http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Seriously now think about it, there is nothing cool about this. it is just plain stupid]]>Apr 7th 2009 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 4:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
If you want cool, buy a Hummer, Camero or Corvette. GM makes those too. Although if they annouced anything about any of these cars, everyone would bash them for not making something like this Segway thing. Go figure.]]>Apr 7th 2009 10:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
I could probably make a suggestion that they spend their money on better things these days. Then I remembered that it's MY money.]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Yeah, cuz propping up companies based on failed business models and then using them as your nation's economic foundation makes even more sense.]]>Apr 7th 2009 1:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Its not really fast enough for a normal road, and its too fast for a side-walk.]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
The problem is WIDTH. It is way too wide to squeeze between the cars at the traffic lights. So if you're stuck in a normal car lanes, you're just as slow. Neither can you pass a slow cyclist in a cycle lane given the typical width of cycle lanes. But it will have to stop at the red lights and it will block those cyclists trying to jump the lights, which is A Good Thing!

It should have the passenger behind the driver and like a tricycle for balance. Oh wait, that's called the Piaggio MP3! Or the future electric version of it!]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
If you're living in the suburbs you could keep it in your garage and charge it up there, but driving around in the burbs at 35mph is a nuisance. A bicycle or scooter gets the job done better and is a fraction of the price. Only thing I can think this would be useful for is replacing those golf carts security people drive around in, but those golf carts are already electric and can hold a ton of things in back.

I would HATE to be driving behind this.]]>Apr 7th 2009 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 9:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
I, like many people are annoyed when I see one or two people take their giant SUV just down the street, it's wasteful. this could be an alternative for those people. yes, it's lazy and slack either way, but the Puma is way friendlier.

@lalondegeoffrey
you should watch the other videos of it going at full speed then stopping, and instantly doing a 180 back. so I'd say that not only could it avoid a crash, but it could run away from it. ever heard of regenerative breaking? plus it's not just balancing, it's counter-weighting - shifting the entire cab back to "lean" backwards to stop.

the other full speed videos make this thing look like a lot of fun and pretty practical. the Segway was a solution without a problem but this might actually be something useful. however, hope my elbow and knee won't have to stick out in the rain on the final product.
]]>Apr 8th 2009 9:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Bad enough I have to share it with strollers, joggers, people who don't care where they park or decide that they need a turn lane *right now*.]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
I think this type of innovation is great, we just need to figure out renewable energy on a large scale first.]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Is it really narrow minded to think that an section of the road that is supposedly set aside for cyclists shouldn't be given over to a large, bulky motorized vehicle?

I applaud the engineering and innovation that goes into the PUMA, which is impressive and a first step.

However, putting these things into bicycle lanes is just nuts. Putting aside the fact that a cyclist getting hit by this thing is going to be one hurting unit, there is the fact that these things can go 35mph which is much faster than your average cyclist. So, while the engine tops out at 35mph, the driver is probably going to be 15-20mph, dodging and weaving around cyclists (and the other hazards I mentioned) increasing risk for the other people in the bicycle lane and frustrating the driver because he/she isn't getting their 35mph.

The engineering is impressive, but the some thought needs to be given to the practical use of these devices.]]>Apr 7th 2009 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/apr/07/puma-segway-electric-car

By the way, "Whether you'd feel entirely comfortable sandwiched between a bus and a huge tuck is, of course, another matter.".]]>Apr 7th 2009 4:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 6:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
And no, this isn't that great of an 'innovation'. It's taking existing tech and making something completely worthless for lazy people. Get a bike, doesn't have a mileage limit and doesn't need to charge (which by the way, if you live in a city like I do, you realize immediately that you're SOL to charge this thing).

And for bikers: Most think they're above the law... going down one-ways the wrong way hitting unsuspecting pedestrians, not stopping at stop signs, etc. etc. So while I have sympathy towards having the dumb-ass things in your lane, just one more thing they have to deal with, like we do with them on our sideWALKS.

Anyway, go die GM, so useless.]]>Apr 7th 2009 9:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
"Get a bike, doesn't have a mileage limit and doesn't need to charge"

Well technically, a bike still needs to be maintained. It's not like at a certain fixed mileage number makes a car not work.

I guess one's preference of what to drive really depends just that: preference, and of course their situation (whether riding a bike is more practical to get where this certain person needs to go).]]>Apr 8th 2009 1:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 8th 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Whats the Q?]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
]]>Apr 7th 2009 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/photos/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/1475998/

No! This looks like a giant vibrator!]]>Apr 7th 2009 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
WAAAAALLLEEEE..... EEEEEEEVVVVEEE]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
MEET OPTIMUS PUMA]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Something like this would be ideal inside London where the average vehicle speed is about 11mph. It would be exempt from the congestion charge, allowed to use bus lanes so could pass queuing traffic, would be easy to park and would be cheap to run. Sure, it's not the best looking vehicle in the world but it's designed for functionality not looks. It seems like a good idea to me and the only thing I'd like to see changed is for it to be fully enclosed so you don't get wet on the way to work.]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/Apr 7th 2009 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/
Advanced gyros are cool but I don't really see them used to benefit anything in this vehicle - what can it do that a motorized wheelchair can't? Why are we supposed to use it? If I'd want to get into this class of vehicle I'd get a bicycle. If I were lazy, I'd get a bicycle with electric motor assist.

It took him 8 years but Bush finally said something that's worth repeating: You don't put good money after bad. Let GM fail, don't put it on life support so it can fail sometime later.]]>Apr 7th 2009 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/gm-and-segways-p-u-m-a-makes-its-stage-debut/"...GM's biggest problem is that they make vehicles that people don't want to buy..."

Yeah, that's why they were the worldwide leader in car sales for 77 years.

http://www.roadandmore.com/rnmforum/topic/39.html


When did everyone become sheep?]]>Apr 7th 2009 11:18PM