Robert Rolf composed:

  "Well, *major* HYPED development."

Please cite where something similar exists?

- something as technically complex with as 'natural'
an interface as the Segway uses.

I don't see where you get the 'hype' aspect. The inventor
himself was rather straight forward, but did make
what some could interpret as fantastic claims, but it
was THE PRESS that latched onto various aspects and tried
to guess what it was and contributed to the mystery. This
is not hype. Okay - "media hype" but through little fault
of the inventor!

The unit's *real* usefulness and utility has yet to be proven
one way or the other, personnaly, I think thye have a future.
(WHO would have thought using MICROWAVES to heat food would
have caught on like it did?)

This particular inventor has a track record that indicates
his main product is more than just pure, speculative 'hype'
(See 'ENRON' in the dictionary for 'hype' ...).

Jim


----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Rolf" <Robert.Rolf@UALBERTA.CA>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 4:57 PM
Subject: Re: [OT]: Major transport lemon?? Segway


> 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
> >

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