View Poll Results: What 3 features would you want the most on the Segway? | |||
Another design - It's still fugly | 5 | 25.00% | |
Longer range | 7 | 35.00% | |
Faster / unlimited speed | 5 | 25.00% | |
Fast charging batteries | 9 | 45.00% | |
Battery hot-swap | 3 | 15.00% | |
Cheaper model | 8 | 40.00% | |
More storage areas | 3 | 15.00% | |
USB-charging - open battery design | 7 | 35.00% | |
GPS / App-control | 0 | 0% | |
OTHER - Write a comment | 7 | 35.00% | |
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll |
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03-28-2015, 11:41 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Sweden
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Developing the Segway into the next decennium
I love my Segway. From the first second I saw it I knew it would be my kind of ride. All electric. Possible to charge with solar power, it's silent and very capable. I try to do the trade off and using my scooter less in favour of zero emission transports, but sometimes it's hard.
But something is missing, and when I start to think of it, there are literally tonnes of things I miss and wonder - why arent Segway Inc. doing it? What is stopping the development of the Segway? It was then I realised that without a growing user base, the development of the Segway - neither product or company - might survive the next decennium. So, what's wrong then? What kind of problems hinders its growth? ****************************** 01. TOO EXPENSIVE. The price is similar to product launch 2001, which means, that Segway Inc. hasn't succeeded to improve on manufacturing processes AT ALL. SUGGESTION: Move the entire manufacturing to China. Company should focus on R&D and not manufacturing / assembly. Can the Iphone be produced entirely in Taiwan/HK/China, then the Segway can too. ****************************** 02. There are no cheaper models. The model variation line up is as exciting as the 2001 Toyota Corolla, thus still making it accessible to only a few. SUGGESTIONS: Create a cheaper model with less range, less weight, cheaper materials, in a goal to grow the user base. ****************************** 03. It's too slow (which is the single most annoying issue for me). Yes, this has to do with government regulations but there must be work-arounds. Can Ducati release a motorcycle with 200hp and 320km/h top speed, then there must be possible to release a Segway that can do 40kph for the road. SUGGESTION: Create a model that has UNREGULATED speed, for example the X2 that is for off-road drive anyways. It must be up to the user how fast we can go. No one is driving 300kph on a motorcycle anyways! ****************************** 04. The Segway is too proprietary and doesn't allow any modification or adaptations, either physically or in software. This hinders those enthusiasts that is so important for a product to succeed. SUGGESTION: Open up for 3rd party development and team up with other small start-ups that wants to do it. Release more color options. ****************************** 05. LACK OF R&D. The i2 SE is a joke. I mean it. In 8 years of the Segway i2 this is what they came up with? Really? - The lights are STILL a joke - Still no USB-port / charging - Same stupid key-design (What was DK at Segway thinking when he designed a circular key, with evenly distributed buttons that's akin to impossible to understand in the dark, that is water sensitive, fall sensitive and takes 3 seconds to start? The key should be a 3 button design with total ODO on the motherboard under console trim. - Same stupid alarm design (Why must the Segway be ON for the alarm to be active?) - No storage space or integrated holders (a big design flaw) - NO built-in GPS - An app would be great to see Segway status - Same stupid battery design - ONE cell gets F-U and the entire battery is waste - is this environmentally friendly thinking? And to make matters worse - all cells in the battery is swimming in this pool of glue that makes it really really difficult to service. Battery tech is easy but Segway makes it difficult. Batteries should be: EASY TO SERVICE HOTSWAP SUPER-CHARGING CAPABLE (A Tesla can be charged faster than a Segway...wtf?) AND WHY ON EARTH 73V? 06. FEW CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS So, we have 2 colors for the 2015 line-up. A FERRARI can be had in 22 different colours!! And it's only 2 parts that needs colour - CONSOLE TRIM and LeanSteer Frame. ****************************** 07. COMPANY ERRORS Segway Inc. should focus on development and focus on HOW TO MAKE SEGWAY for a larger user base. Never mind the competition - you should outcompete competition by strong R&D and product development. Look at Apple - did it help to sue Samsung? No, it didn't. Do they still dominate and lead the smartphone segment? Yes. In fact, the competition has helped Apple because users need choices. The Segway is still a bit Nerdy-looking. That is a big problem. The Segway's lack of new features makes it dying. The direction to go on E-bicycles is a MISTAKE. The competition is utterly FIERCE and there is no exciting to do except to deliver an expensive machine with stunning design. Are they doing it - no. Segway should focus on developing the Segway to make a feature-rich, open source, cool-looking device, with zero-emission goals (solar panel charging, easy to maintain battery tech so forth. **************************** THE GOOD! The build is insanely high. Quality wise this thing will last forever. Kudos! ****************************** MY CONTRIBUTION - I'm developing a LED-kit and I'm gonna make a video so anyone can do it cheap - I'm going to test a new battery maintenance design (because I also have a low voltage battery) - I'm also investing in a new small portable solar power plant to see what it's like to charge the Segway entirely off the grid. - Involving more in this community which I think is great BTW! Please comment with your thoughts about my ideas and feedback on how to grow Segway into the next decennium! happy gliding and see you around, Marcus |
03-29-2015, 07:55 PM | #2 |
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Jeez, Marcus, another rehash of the same old Segway weaknesses? Hasn't this same discussion been beaten to death every 6 months for the past 10 years? Sorry, but even I'm tired of it.
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03-29-2015, 07:58 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Sweden
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I count you out then John, I'm not expecting everyone to be a part for improvements, cheers buddy and happy gliding
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03-29-2015, 09:03 PM | #4 |
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Location: Tucson
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Although it's been oversaid, it needs ACTION.
Us talking about it here likely will not have any effect on what happens. |
03-29-2015, 10:23 PM | #5 |
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Location: Sweden
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Totally agree. But first I need to know how many here is in the same boat with the same opinions as me and wants a change OR maybe most here happy and then I just know. And tragically, that would all make sense.
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03-30-2015, 03:50 AM | #6 |
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I'm with you on most points, mryang.
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03-30-2015, 07:42 AM | #7 |
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There are, of course, good reasons why the company hasn't done the things you're wanting, and most of them boil down to the economics of the situation. Changes in tooling are expensive, and the company doesn't appear to be in a place where they can expend a lot of money on such changes.
I think you're more likely to see incremental improvements, as they've done in the past. And like Apple, you're likely not be seeing any "openness" in their platform anytime soon. John PS - BTW, Dean Kamen doesn't work at Segway nor is he involved in any of the design components. Nor has he been for over a decade.
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03-30-2015, 08:04 PM | #8 | |
Glides a lot, talks more...
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Location: Pelham, NH, USA.
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Mryang,
Let me start by saying I love your enthusiasm, and while I believe I like many of the suggestions you make, I also think you are being a bit naive to think that you are the first to think of or suggest these changes. I invite you to look back onto the years of history on this site alone, and you will find many if not all of your suggestions, most posed multiple times. Furthermore, the readership of this website, while substantial and enthusiastic, is a small fraction of the buying persons who have purchased segways... Quote:
Good luck with your efforts. I believe that is some of them come to fruition, they will improve the product...
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Karl Ian Sagal To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Well done is better than well said." (Ben Franklin) Bene factum melior bene dictum Proud past President of SEG America and member of the First Premier Segway Enthusiasts Group and subsequent ones as well. |
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03-31-2015, 11:19 AM | #9 |
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To be fair, I'm not sure the P133 was ever given much of a fighting chance.
I think there's something to be said with putting all the technology into a smaller, nimbler machine like a new P133 (with lithium ions) that is like half the price of the current Segway and meant primarily for indoor and street use. I loved the P133 because it's the closest to feeling like the machine is barely there... But again, the upfront costs of an entirely new model like this are significant. The company would have to have a solid forecast or new infusion of investments in order to make good on such a hypothetical model. John
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03-31-2015, 12:40 PM | #10 |
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