Fascinating
facts about the invention of the
Segway Human Transporter by Dean
Kamen in 2001. |
SEGWAY
HT |
|
| After months of hype, rumor, and
speculation, the Segway Human Transporter—formerly known by the code names Ginger and
IT—has been unveiled. Using a process called dynamic stabilization, the Segway HT
works with human equilibrium and responds to movements; lean forward and the HT will
accelerate, tilt backward and it will come to a stop. You can also perform full turns,
achieve speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour, and get up to 17 miles out of a single
charge. The HT runs on either ni-cad or NiMH batteries; to recharge, simply plug the unit
into an AC outlet. The first HT model weighs 80 pounds and has a 250-pound passenger
payload (future versions are expected to support over 300 pounds). It also features an
adjustable control shaft, Intelligent Key technology (a private code which starts and
locks your HT), an eight-inch-high platform, silica wheels (each with an independent,
emission-free engine), and, perhaps most importantly, five gyroscopes and two tilt sensors
which work together to ensure balance and safety on varying terrain. |
 |
| Ultimately, the Segway HT
raises questions on the future of transportation. Is it a viable alternative to urban
congestion? Can it be more freeing than a walk in the park? Who knows? While some pundits
have already labeled the HT a glorified Razor scooter, many people most certainly
can’t wait to get their feet on one. |
TO LEARN MORE
RELATED INFORMATION:
Dean Kamen, Inventor
Profile from The
Great Idea Finder
Transportation History from The Great Idea Finder
ON THE BOOKSHELF:
Code Name Ginger: The Story Behind Segway and Dean Kamen's Quest to
Invent a New World
by Steve Kempe / Hardcover: 336 pages / Harvard Business School Press
(June, 2003)
This is the unforgettable story of "Ginger," officially named the Segway
Human Transporter: a self-balancing, electric-powered people mover that
Kamen called "magic sneakers." With the pacing and excitement of a
suspense novel, Code Name Ginger documents the birth of a marvelous new
technology and the feats of its remarkable inventor, his team of
engineers, and the financiers who pursued them.
ON THE WEB:
DEKA Research and Development
Corporation
DEKA Research & Development Corporation was founded to develop internally generated
inventions as well as to provide R&D for major corporate clients.
(URL: www.dekaresearch.com)
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology)
A decade ago Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology), and ever since has remained its driving force.
(URL: www.usfirst.org)
Official Segway Web site
The official Segway Human Transporter (also known as "Ginger" or
"IT") web site.
(URL: www.segway.com)
WORDS OF WISDOM:
"I also like to ride Segways. How
much fun that is! Anybody think that's fun? I hope so... There's an
awful lot of people in the world that sneer at Segways because other
people are having fun. There must be something bad about it. But I
always tell people, that hey, these Segways are so environmentally
conscious. I carry four of them in the trunk of my Hummer." - Steve Woznaik,
2004, Apple PC co-inventor
|
| Reference
Sources in BOLD Type |
This
page revised August 26, 2005. |
|
|
 |
|
FEATURED
INVENTOR |
|
Tim
Berners-Lee's invention has revolutionized the world like nothing
before.
Learn more |
|
FEATURED
INVENTION |
|
The invention of the Internet,
should be classed with the greatest events of the 20th Century.
Learn more |
| FEATURED GREAT
IDEA |
The Aero Sport All-Terrain Bed
with Dual Power Pump is the perfect addition to any camping trip or weekend
getaway.
Learn more... |
| FEATURED BOOK |
This
book, is the perfect desktop reference for both the science novice and the
technologically advanced reader alike.
Learn more |
| MAKE A
DIFFERENCE |
 |
|
CELEBRATE WITH US |
 |
|
|
