Toyota Winglet - "Segway Killer"

[BarryT]

Each time I look at that picture I get a very uncomfortable feeling "if he were to slip". It's precariously funny.

[philippeseg]

Originally Posted by budsiskos

wow that babble fish program really butchers english

always better than my english

[scotty1024]

The Sony hardware is a joke that Toyota is trotting out for everyone to see so Toyota can get something out of all the cash they sank into buying up Sony's robotics division. Its another cheap "green" publicity stunt.

Can you climb a 30 degree slope? No way. Which means its zero useful in a city like SFO or SEA. With those wheel covers how steep a slope could it handle? I'm thinking 5 degrees at most. Segway aren't morons to not have put those on the Segways.

Can those teeny tiny wheels handle curb cuts and uneven sidewalks? My Segway nearly chatters my teeth out of my head commuting through Microsoft's campus. I can't even begin to imagine the pain those tiny wheels would inflict if not just toss me off when trying to clear a curb cut.

The devices are only useful in the environment Toyota has mentioned: showing off how green they are in little demo rides around a demo track in an airport where folks have time to kill.

What's that? Use them to move around inside the airport? Where do you put your bag sir? Commute to work? Ditto on the bag.

My Mom thought they should put one of those Susan Summers absizer's on the smaller one so the nice japanese lady could work out her thighs while she was riding around. Maybe they could hook that into the regenerative circuit and capture some energy back into the battery?

[nickyboy]

I spoke with Toyota Europe today regarding the Winglet. They told me that it is a "development" vehicle and currently they have no plans to introduce it into Europe before 2012. We'll see!
When I explained my position (Segway dealer in the UK) they showed a great interest in the "Hospital/Airport" side of our market.
It's early days and they are not giving much away, they will only show what they want us to see.

[bugsbenny]

Another concept after i-swing... not a threat, I believe.

[SEGsby]

In a strange way, it further legitimizes and advertises the Segway as a comparison product, which might even lead to helping them sell more i2's and x2's. I hope Toyota keeps pushing the concept to the masses.

SEGsby

Originally Posted by aviators99

Of course I'm getting e-mail from everyone I know, with a link to a Toyota article. They are doing a good PR job.

[ledebuhr1]

This shows that Toyota has the capability to make some competition to the segway. True that this first design does not really compete with the Segway but its just a concept.
Will Segway sue Toyota for coping patents? dident Segway have a patent for self-balancing two-wheeled scooters?

[JohnM]

The point that is consistantly missed in this thread is that the Wingthing doesn't have to compete with Segway or be a Segway killer: The Segway was DOA in Japan, ruled to be a motorcycle, too big and too fast for sidewalk use. Now, Toyota has designed a smaller, under-powered device that will be legal in Japan right out of the box. If they can generate enough interest and prove that it can integrate with the pedestrian environment, then they can attempt a larger, more Segway-like model. And if Toyota can convince the government to loosen up their sidewalk objections, they will already have brand recognition plus marketing and distribution networks in place, effectively locking Segway out of the domestic Japanese market. Wingthing II will be the Segway killer.

[BobbyG]

It's interesting to see several posts here about Segway killers/competitors. Since Segway's overall penetration is so small, the market seems to be more about overall growth than market share. New categories often need several players to establish a large market, each offering different advantages to meet different consumer needs.

Plus, if a big brand like Toyota gets involved, local governments might make streets and sidewalks friendlier overall.

[Bob.Kerns]

Originally Posted by JohnM

The Segway was DOA in Japan, ruled to be a motorcycle, too big and too fast for sidewalk use.

I'm not at all surprised by this, but do you have any references (or specifics that might help in a search) for me to follow up on for more detail?

Japan's not a very disabled-friendly place in general, but I think a Segway would do better than a wheelchair. Curb cuts would be an issue. But often there's no curb, just a painted line.

Tobacco smoke and air quality are big issues for me, too. But there's places I'd like to show my family, and I really ought to meet my mother-in-law someday...

Segways really would make a lot of sense in Tokyo.

They'd also be more likely to pass regulatory hurdles if they had a Japanese partner.