Jim wrote:
>
> I am astounded and shocked at the insensitivity
> of an otherwise brilliant technical group.

Maybe they're P.O.'d that they didn't think of it first? It does use
PICs for control doesn't it?
http://www.howstuffworks.com/ginger.htm

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=\'6,302,230\'.WKU.&OS=PN/6,302,230&RS=PN/6,302,230
US Patent 6,302,230

What is claimed is:
A vehicle for carrying a payload including a user, the vehicle comprising:
a. a platform which supports the user;
b. a ground-contacting module, to which the platform is mounted, which propels
the user in desired motion over an underlying surface;
c. a motorized drive arrangement, coupled to the ground-contacting module; the
drive arrangement, ground-contacting module and payload comprising a system
being unstable with
respect to tipping when the motorized drive is not powered; the motorized drive
arrangement causing, when powered, automatically balanced operation of the
system wherein the
vehicle has a present velocity and a maximum operating velocity, determined by a
requirement of acceleration to maintain balance and, in operation, has a
balancing margin
determined by the difference between the maximum operating velocity and the
present velocity of the vehicle;
...

> A *major* development comes along, suitable for use by

Well, *major* HYPED development.

> those with mobility impairments and it is royally

I'd be really interested to see how a frail person steps on to the
Segway without it zooming away on them. You can't exactly pull on
the handle to lift/drag yourself onto the platform.

> ridiculed!
>
> I have to assume that everyone here is fully
> able to walk, run and carry on like a normal
> person.

We are all TAB (temoporarily able bodied). Sooner or later, we WILL
be 'mobility impaired' (or dead).

> Were everyone so lucky!
>
> I see HIGH HOPES for this device in the future - my
> dear Mom being the recipient of one of these from
> her devoted kids one of these days ...

Hope it works for her. Unfortunately it won't help my mom, even
though she can stand. If you need a cane for support I don't see
how one could step onto the platform safely.

I suppose a docking station that held it firmly in place might work.
It's an interesting device. We'll see if it gets wide acceptance/use/sales.

Robert

> Jim
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Roman Black" <fastvid@EZY.NET.AU>
> To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2002 3:30 PM
> Subject: [OT]: Major transport lemon??
>
> > Has anyone heard more about that silly 2-wheeled
> > transport thing, the one that doesn't fall over,
> > that was supposed to "revolutionise trasport as
> > we know it"??
> >
> > Has anyone here bought one? Sold their 99% efficient
> > bicycle to buy one? Or even heard *anything* lately?
> >
> > Or has it become the high-tech mini-Edsel of the new
> > millennium?? ;o)
> > -Roman
> >
> >
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
> ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
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