New Stirling Generator Will Take Us All Off The Grid
 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/christop...wer-the-world/

I love it when DK predicts that we will all be using his latest device in ten years.

Yea, Dean's such a fake and a shill... Insulin Pump, Infusion Pump, Portable Dialysis, Water Purification System. He is a total failure as a person.

<rant>If only you were 1/1000 the person Dean is, you'd stop complaining about other people's failures and do something remarkable yourself. How many of your inventions are used daily in Hospitals all over the world? Dean's brother was a Doctor that needed to better regulate drug delivery to children with cancer. So Dean and his team developed the infusion pump.

People continue to publish his statements because his statements still have value. When was the last time your name was published anywhere other than "For a good time call John" in the Men's rest room at the edge of town? I just realized, you do have one important piece of equipment that shares you name. Excuse me while I go use it.</rant>

But then again, I could be wrong.

jeff

Much of your post violates the terms of service/rules:
"2. Don’t personally attack, bully or harass other members."

No matter how much you dislike John, it's still not very nice to say.

I met Dean 10 years or so ago, at the company, and later at his home, related to the segways I have owned. I realize that even though he seem well known for the segway, he has invented and contributed to many, many worthwhile inventions and devices.

I also believe he is personally responsible for more patents than many countries.

4 or so years ago, my son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. (Formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes, an auto immune disease that affects his Pancreas)

Today, he wears an infusion pump, that exists because of Dean Kamen and his work and brilliance, that delivers his insulin to him and replaces the 6 to 8 daily shots of insulin injections that he requires / required.

I like my segway, and it has brought me hours of joy, entertainment, and convenience.

That pump has MATERIALLY improved the quality of my son's life. The segway has done the same for many with mobility issues.

JohnM enjoys nattering on about how foolish we are, or how misguided Dean is. I wish he could see some of the good that has come from Dean's inventions, and stop being the troll he enjoys being here so much.

Yes, some enthusiasts see a potential in a Kamen invention, as does he, and sometime the impact is overstated in general terms.

Next time JohnM wants to trash him, I wish he would consider going to the nearest diabetes clinic or physical therapist who works with the mobility impared, and ask those who's lives have been improved by Kamen's inventions just how appropriate his barbs are...

I used to care, and fight back against JohnM's constant attacks here. Now I just feel sorry for his ignorance, and the fact that he chooses to stay that way, and remind us of it so often.

A body should reap what he sows. You should try less to hold Jeff accountable to what he says ( Which I happen to agree with and did not find to be unreasonable nor a violation of the terms of service) and try to hold JohnM more accountable.

When a person comes here to rain on the parade, and you make excuses for it, you only encourage it, and get more of the same.

This is a Segway Enthusiasts forum. I believe that the total of Jeff's contribution in this example is far more uplifting and appropriate to the reason for this forum than JohnM's contribution.

Consider the body of their work, if you choose to take sides.

Long ago, a friend in the army told me that if he does not know a person, but knows who they choose to walk down the street with, he has a pretty good idea of what they are like. Birds of a feather do flock together.

Defend the indefensible, and you marginalize yourself.

Of course, you may feel that none of this applies to you. If that is the case, do not apply it to yourself. The platitudes stand on their own.

Let's agree to revisit this thread in 10 years. It will be good for a laugh.

Inventors are idealist, quite often they are not the businessman and investors, and more often is the greed of businessman who muck up a wonderful invention.


sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk APP

Why do you choose to not respond to my comments about the quality of life improvements his inventions have made to those who can appreciate them?

Is it because while you like to throw stones, you have no argument for the value of an insulin pump, or a segway that helps to replace lost mobility?

Because I will say it again.....He is a troll....that is part of there description...

In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people,[1] by posting inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[4]

The difference is that DK never made statements such as "In 5 years, all diabetics will be wearing this pump" or "injection syringes will be obsolete in 3 years" or "hospitals of the future will be designed around this stent."

Please provide link to the quote you are citing. Notice that he did say "If widely adopted,..." It's a pretty good article, worth a read 11 years later.

Check out the post about "Segway City" today 3D Printing of Custom Segway Parts in Japan.

Good points.

I would say that we need to consider where these statements are being made. There is a certain marketing aspect to these grandiose predictions, and clearly they are over the top...

My wife complains when I respond to television commercials... A Cadillac commercial may come on, and claim that I can save $10,000 if a buy a particular car this weekend... I respond to the television that I can save $60,000 and not buy it at all.

In advertisements, claims are made all the time that are a reach or over the top. Some super model will tell you to eat her cereal. I got news for you, if you are old enough to go to the store and buy her cereal, and you do not look like her now, you are not going to look like her after breakfast either...

I see his visionary statements, and lets remember that many other, big movers and shakers have said similar and even more outrageous statements on behalf of the segway, as a form of marketing. He feels, like many visionaries, that if he can share the vision and get enough people to buy in, literally, then that vision has more likelihood of becoming a reality.

I am not saying his statements are accurate, or even that he aught not be held accountable, but I believe it is reasonable and common to allow a certain latitude for artists and creative people who often see the world differently than most people, and express the world they see instead of the world we see. We do this because their subjective reality often actually makes our less subjective reality better...

And for the record, Segway Inc has steadfastly denied the segway is a 'mobility aide' even though it has significantly improved many with mobility issues. And regardless of what was said or not, micro infusion pumps have materially changed the treatment for type 1 Diabetes, not 100%, but to a large and undeniable percentage...

We are in agreement. I definitely pay attention when DK talks, because when he does so he oozes passion, which is really quite inspiring. I do find myself glossing over his words when he makes predictions, because no matter how smart you are, you can't know the future. I do drill down to find the facts, because he is always talking about something interesting and likely, important.

It makes me wonder how much more/less popular the Segway would('ve) been if he'd have said 'This device will be a failure and only lame people will want it' :rolleyes:


Edit: Sarcasm...

I know you had your tongue firmly in cheek, but I wonder if your comment is what is seen by most?

I know that somewhere between 50 and 100 thousand machines seem to have been made. Not nearly what was predicted by some, but not a garage project either...

13 years after the introductions of 2001, the company still exists. That alone is against the odds. Most start-ups do not make it that long.

There are some, mobility impaired come to mind, but there may be others, where the segway fits a truly unique position that cannot be matched by other devices of other designs.

The Chinese have copied it, and have it in mass production as a knock off. (I wonder if there are more copies than originals out there, (Freego, etc)

All of this does not indicate failure to me, except as compared to the expectations drawn in the beginning...

I think it would be considered a full on success, if recognized as a nitch market item if the roll-out went more like this,

" We have a cool new device here, totally unique, with a never before seen control system for personal transportation... We hope you like it, and tell your friends..."

With humble introductions, I wonder if the Segway would have been considered a true success...

"And for the record, Segway Inc has steadfastly denied the segway is a 'mobility aide' even though it has significantly improved many with mobility issues. And regardless of what was said or not, micro infusion pumps have materially changed the treatment for type 1 Diabetes, not 100%, but to a large and undeniable percentage.."
I have a nephew whose life depends on his pump, didn't realize it is DK who produced it.
What is the reason Segway Corp denies the "Mobility Aid" aspect of their product? Without it I would be in a wheel chair and/or deceased.



Smiling in the Wind

If you do some google searches for iBot you will find pictures of the Johnson & Johnson wheelchair that was build with DEKA technology. My understanding was that Segway is not allowed to compete with the that product.

Too bad, my iBot "fitting" was scheduled for the day after they stopped selling them :(

jeff

It is my recollection that Segway LLC did not have the rights to market Kaman's technology for medical/mobility devices. As JGBackes points out, Johnson & Johnson had that. I read here on Segway Chat that the original agreement regarding assignment of rights for medical/mobility may have elapsed, but I do not know if that is correct.

I also recall some discussions involving the trials and testing any product has to go through to get approval for medical/mobility equipment. It's expensive, and Segway could barely manage new racing stripes for the latest Gen II products.

Also keep in mind that Segway doesn't market to individuals, in general.

Ralfus,

There is another reason, beyond the legal issue with J&J in my opinion.

A segway, while a great item, and a true life quality changer for many, is a device that is designed for universal design, not for the impaired.

Universal design is something that is designed to have the widest possible application. That is very different than something designed as a handicap aide. (Even if used as a handicap aide, very nicely...)

I have substantially rebuilt my home over the years to fit my family's needs. I understand universal design or at least some of the concepts, and have employed some of them, but that does not mean I have purposefully made my house more handicapped friendly, but I have.

I have a sister-in-law in a wheel chair. She lives in Cali, and has been to my house twice in 17 years. (I have been to her house a few more times than that, but still only a few)

I have a friend in a wheel chair that I have not seen for 12 or 15 years. He has been to my house once.

I had a relative in a wheel chair, who came to my house one time, and has been gone for 10 years.

I have another relative in a wheel chair who has been to my house once.

That is all I can remember in the last 20 years. Not a mandate to make my house handicapped accessible.

Still, every door that I work on has had handles installed instead of door knobs. The few left with knobs are doors guests are unlikely to use, like cellar to back yard, or cellar to garage. Handles are not handicapped rated, but much easier for everyone to use, especially if you have grasping or hand mobility issues.

Also, every door that I have rebuilt or installed, (about 8 of the 30 or so in the house) have been replaced with 6 or 8 panel pine (because I like it) at 36 inches (because it is universal in design). The master bathroom I built has no reasonable need for a 36 inch door, but I like it. The bedroom door you must go thru to get to it is the original 30 inches. ( I will eventually replace it when needed.)

The Bathroom downstairs I did rebuild for my Mother in Law, who had Alzheimers, but no mobility issues. Still, I installed the 36 inch door on the chance that someone might need be in the bath to assist her. Also the reason for the comfort height commode, and the over sized shower.

None of these things are handicapped rated, but all are items that a mobility impaired person might appreciate.

I could go on and on about the universal design concepts I have added to my home, but I hope the point is made. Many universal designed items are indeed a helpful or useful addition to a handicapped or mobility impaired persons environment, but that still does not make them 'Mobility Aides' that aught be regulated by the government.

I have said that my segway is a mobility device. Most days, most people would not consider me mobility impaired by pretty much any reasonable standard. Legal definitions aside (because surgeries and technology used in my rebuilt legs has kept me ahead of the curve) I do not need a mobility device. Yet I own one.

I maintain that everyone on a segway is more mobile than everyone not on a segway. A mobility impaired veteran with a bad knee has improved mobility when he gets on his segway. (me) A very fit marathon runner who can easily run 25 or more miles has improved mobility when he gets on a segway. (Definitely not me!)

I believe that while declaring a segway to be a mobility device will have some advantages to some people protected by the ADA, it is only an advantage because of a poorly worded law, or a poorly understood portion of society, and it is falling horribly short of an adequate definition of a segway...

(And a side note, my son is type 1 diabetic, and the pump he uses has substantially improved the quality of his life.)

It's more complicated than any single reason. "Universal design" doesn't mean you can't still market the product in a specific way toward a targeted audience (e.g., ads in publications targeted toward a disabled population).

But originally, it had everything to do with the fact that the Segway was born from the work on the J&J wheelchair (iBOT) that could climb stairs. Rather than upset a corporate partner, it was easier to say, "Here, you can have all rights to this market, we're happy with the much larger consumer market."

Since J&J stopped selling the wheelchair in 2009 (neither insurance companies nor Medicare wanted to pay for its extra cost even with its amazing extra abilities), it's possible DEKA or Segway could reacquire those rights. But it would require lots of (new) resources to do so, market properly, and ensure they did so in a way that could take on the least liability.

My impression of the Segway company today is they remain resource-constrained, and don't have the ability to pursue this market even if they could legally do so.

Last, just my personal impression, but the Gen. 1s made better disabled Segways than the Gen 2s because of their fixed handlebars. Since they are long out of production, it might also make things a little less attractive for Segway.

John