Nice post Doug, you can rely on someone that rides existing 2-wheel transport to evaluate new 2-wheel transport ideas I reckon. :o) Is Ginger going to revolutionise transport?? Lets see: * Bicycle is 10x cheaper. * bike is faster * bike uses no electricity * bike can go up/down steeper grades * bikes have good suspension these days * bike better off road * bike is a lot better under brakes!! * bike is light (carry up stairs?) * electric bike is more efficient (most efficient electric vehicle on the planet according to Calif EV magazine) * bike has a SEAT (why stand to travel?) * bike is skinnier, better in traffic This Ginger technology is a fairly poor form of human transport, an electric skateboard (you can buy them) is easier to carry, faster, smaller, and better standing transport on concrete at least. But I do see a use for this concept for robots, being able to stand tall and turn on axis. -Roman Douglas Butler wrote: > > Sure I would like a small electric scooter, but I don't see a real > advantage to Ginger versus a battery powered Razor. Sure Ginger can > balance at low speed, but I don't need a machine to do that! They say > it can go 12 or 18 mph, but how well does it corner at those speeds? If > you are zipping down the sidewalk and a dog runs out in front of you, > you are still going to get a face full of gravel. As far as I can see > Ginger in a quick stop would have to accelerate to get your feet out in > front of you so you could the decelerate at even a fraction of a G. > That would feel pretty scary, and if your knees buckle, it's all over. > > Nice toy, but Transportation Revolution? No way! > > Sherpa Doug -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu