Where for art thou non-motorised Segways?

[email protected] · 11-02-2007, 09:33 PM

Firstly, my thanks to the forum mods of SegwayChat for allowing me in.

Long time lurker, first time poster, but only because I have a question and you guys & ladies have the knowledge.
I have always been itchy to get on a Segway and I booked for my wife and I to do a Segway tour of Paris 2 months ago.
Seg-virgins, but we picked it up quickly after the obligatory induction and then thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We got home and told the kids all about the trip but esp. the amazing Segway tour. Actually I'm still thrilled by the experience !
Boring story cut short, I told the kids that there must be a safe ( no motor) kids Segway thats available, and that I'd find it or build

it ? ( Foolish father I am.)
But there isnt. Not that I can find.
But is there one? Surely you guys know !
I dont think they need a real Segway, they'd be happy with just a 2 wheeled buggy with a handle in front that they can push along like a skateboard.
Now the problem has escalated to the point where the kids keep giving me creepy looks when we pass in the hallway for failing them and I'm not happy with the paranoia Ive created for myself.( just a joke,

)
Can you help me?
I put this in the Science & Tech. forum hoping to snare some 'Professor Frink' types who'll offer suggestions or guides.
I have a garage and large workspace full of new tools Ive never used so I'm ready to start working on your ideas.

Any progress will be freely shared with all parents.

Best wishes and safe gliding to you all.
Thanks.

Brett.C.M.Smith.
Sydney, Australia.

bystander · 11-03-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Firstly, my thanks to the forum mods of SegwayChat for allowing me in.

Long time lurker, first time poster, but only because I have a question and you guys & ladies have the knowledge.
I have always been itchy to get on a Segway and I booked for my wife and I to do a Segway tour of Paris 2 months ago.
Seg-virgins, but we picked it up quickly after the obligatory induction and then thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We got home and told the kids all about the trip but esp. the amazing Segway tour. Actually I'm still thrilled by the experience !
Boring story cut short, I told the kids that there must be a safe ( no motor) kids Segway thats available, and that I'd find it or build

it ? ( Foolish father I am.)
But there isnt. Not that I can find.
But is there one? Surely you guys know !
I dont think they need a real Segway, they'd be happy with just a 2 wheeled buggy with a handle in front that they can push along like a skateboard.
Now the problem has escalated to the point where the kids keep giving me creepy looks when we pass in the hallway for failing them and I'm not happy with the paranoia Ive created for myself.( just a joke,

)
Can you help me?
I put this in the Science & Tech. forum hoping to snare some 'Professor Frink' types who'll offer suggestions or guides.
I have a garage and large workspace full of new tools Ive never used so I'm ready to start working on your ideas.

Any progress will be freely shared with all parents.

Best wishes and safe gliding to you all.
Thanks.

Brett.C.M.Smith.

Sydney, Australia.

May not quite be what you are looking for, but there was a real product called the "Dareway" that might fit your bill (however, it is motorized). Try googling it. Or use the search feature on this board to find more links like this:

"Dareway" Segway knock-off for kids

If you come across something called the "Seg-wee", it's not a real product, just an April fools joke from a few years ago:

"Segwee" Segway for kids? Anatomy of a hoax

polo_pro · 11-03-2007, 05:26 PM

Since I know of many Ozzies who are quite industrious and motivated, I'll also point you to some DIY segway projects. First check out http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html and make sure to look at Trevor's follow up project at http://www.tlb.org/scooter2.html and http://www.tlb.org/eunicycle.html to see how hard this all is. Also you'll see some great commentary on how much it cost to make your own knock off. I especially appreciate how much Trevor discussed how iterative the development process is. You'll also see him express appreciation for how much redundance Segway INC built into their product. I'd also speculate/conjecture/guess that Trevor wouldn't put his kids on his homemade segway based on some of his comments about others using it. If you want a segway DIY project without all the nice details, look at http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/roll-out/...ean-263398.php and start digging around for more details. Searching around on this forum, you'll see your fellow SCers pointing out alot of deficencies with the Korean knock off.

Sometimes I wish more anti-Segway people could try out Trevor Blackwell's scooter, or some of the other "knock offs" from Korea. Of course, they'd use the non-segway scooters to further bolster their views, but you'd hope that some might actually do a side by side comparison to see just how refined (and thus safer) a segway is.

Sharkie · 11-03-2007, 08:12 PM

I think you've backed yourself into a bit of a corner here. Since the Segway balances itself using the motors, I can't imagine any way that a device could self balance without motors.

Jim

bentbiker · 11-03-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected]

. . . I told the kids that there must be a safe ( no motor) kids Segway thats available, and that I'd find it or build

it ? ( Foolish father I am.)

Can you help me?
I put this in the Science & Tech. forum hoping to snare some 'Professor Frink' types who'll offer suggestions or guides.
I have a garage and large workspace full of new tools Ive never used so I'm ready to start working on your ideas.

Any progress will be freely shared with all parents.

Brett.C.M.Smith.
Sydney, Australia.

I'm assuming these are pretty young kids. What about taking a Razor scooter, adding a platform with side-by-side 12 inch wheels, such that all 4 wheels are on the ground at the same time. Probably won't steer very quickly, but if they would be happy with the design you mentioned, they won't care -- it will look like a Segway.

[email protected] · 11-04-2007, 12:13 AM

Wow, lots of replies and ideas. Thanks guys.
Yes Ive seen the nasty knock offs. Why bother with that rubbish !
The Segwee was and still is a good idea as far as making something uniquely Seg-like that kids can ride. I think I saw the Segwee hype and hoped it was real too.
Here in Australia we have a lot of laws that forbid people using Segways except on private property so a non motorised version would be great for my kids. Theyre 6 and 8. Cheeky monkeys too !

I thought about it a lot and I figured the first thing was safety and having a low centre of gravity is important,so heres a thought of mine you can add to or shoot me down ;-

The axles could be connected to a lowered platform so that when you stand on the platform, the weight is positioned close to the ground. The platform would swing beneath the axle like a pendulum. Can anyone visualise this or am I being stupid ?

I dont know if I can post pix straight from my computer ..?

If anyone is interested in putting in their 2c I'd be grateful.

Best wishes, Brett.

Edit: to John Kuhn, my little guys already have Razor scooters as does everyone else on the block.They dont see them as being cool anymore, like a lot of things they used to love.
Kids can be pretty canny and I think they'd know if I tried to 'hack' a Razor into something else. Thats what makes this such a unique project. Thanks for the idea tho John !

japaneezy · 11-05-2007, 05:39 AM

heres your non motorized segway

btw a segway cannot work without a motor and gyros, you should buy them a unicycle if thats what you want, cuz thats the closest you will get to what you're describing.

bystander · 11-05-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japaneezy

heres your non motorized segway

btw a segway cannot work without a motor and gyros, you should buy them a unicycle if thats what you want, cuz thats the closest you will get to what you're describing.

Speaking of unicycles, there's this thing, which is sort of a "penny-farthing" push-unicycle without pedals:

http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?t=15188

http://www.magicwheel.co.uk/

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives...ots_about.html

Looks fairly clunky in still photos, but appears to be somewhat useful in the moving video clips.

KSagal · 11-05-2007, 09:46 AM

That unicycle thing is quite something...

I posted a picture of a toy that did a good job a while back that had the counter weight below the axle level, so the device would be self balancing, it has been in my gallery since...

hellphish · 11-05-2007, 12:30 PM

"Where for" means why.

11-02-2007, 09:33 PM	#1
[email protected] New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12	Where for art thou non-motorised Segways? Firstly, my thanks to the forum mods of SegwayChat for allowing me in. Long time lurker, first time poster, but only because I have a question and you guys & ladies have the knowledge. I have always been itchy to get on a Segway and I booked for my wife and I to do a Segway tour of Paris 2 months ago. Seg-virgins, but we picked it up quickly after the obligatory induction and then thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We got home and told the kids all about the trip but esp. the amazing Segway tour. Actually I'm still thrilled by the experience ! Boring story cut short, I told the kids that there must be a safe ( no motor) kids Segway thats available, and that I'd find it or build it ? ( Foolish father I am.) But there isnt. Not that I can find. But is there one? Surely you guys know ! I dont think they need a real Segway, they'd be happy with just a 2 wheeled buggy with a handle in front that they can push along like a skateboard. Now the problem has escalated to the point where the kids keep giving me creepy looks when we pass in the hallway for failing them and I'm not happy with the paranoia Ive created for myself.( just a joke, ) Can you help me? I put this in the Science & Tech. forum hoping to snare some 'Professor Frink' types who'll offer suggestions or guides. I have a garage and large workspace full of new tools Ive never used so I'm ready to start working on your ideas. Any progress will be freely shared with all parents. Best wishes and safe gliding to you all. Thanks. Brett.C.M.Smith. Sydney, Australia.

11-03-2007, 08:12 PM	#4
Sharkie Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Posts: 291	I think you've backed yourself into a bit of a corner here. Since the Segway balances itself using the motors, I can't imagine any way that a device could self balance without motors. Jim __________________ Stupidity is the only crime that carries its own punishment!

11-04-2007, 12:13 AM	#6
[email protected] New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 12	Thanks for making me welcome. Wow, lots of replies and ideas. Thanks guys. Yes Ive seen the nasty knock offs. Why bother with that rubbish ! The Segwee was and still is a good idea as far as making something uniquely Seg-like that kids can ride. I think I saw the Segwee hype and hoped it was real too. Here in Australia we have a lot of laws that forbid people using Segways except on private property so a non motorised version would be great for my kids. Theyre 6 and 8. Cheeky monkeys too ! I thought about it a lot and I figured the first thing was safety and having a low centre of gravity is important,so heres a thought of mine you can add to or shoot me down ;- The axles could be connected to a lowered platform so that when you stand on the platform, the weight is positioned close to the ground. The platform would swing beneath the axle like a pendulum. Can anyone visualise this or am I being stupid ? I dont know if I can post pix straight from my computer ..? If anyone is interested in putting in their 2c I'd be grateful. Best wishes, Brett. Edit: to John Kuhn, my little guys already have Razor scooters as does everyone else on the block.They dont see them as being cool anymore, like a lot of things they used to love. Kids can be pretty canny and I think they'd know if I tried to 'hack' a Razor into something else. Thats what makes this such a unique project. Thanks for the idea tho John ! Last edited by [email protected]; 11-04-2007 at 12:21 AM.. Reason: I Forgot about Johns comment, D'Oh !

11-05-2007, 09:46 AM	#9
KSagal Glides a lot, talks more... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pelham, NH, USA. Posts: 10,356	That unicycle thing is quite something... I posted a picture of a toy that did a good job a while back that had the counter weight below the axle level, so the device would be self balancing, it has been in my gallery since... __________________ 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.

11-03-2007, 05:26 PM	#3
polo_pro Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA, USA. Posts: 2,608	Since I know of many Ozzies who are quite industrious and motivated, I'll also point you to some DIY segway projects. First check out http://www.tlb.org/scooter.html and make sure to look at Trevor's follow up project at http://www.tlb.org/scooter2.html and http://www.tlb.org/eunicycle.html to see how hard this all is. Also you'll see some great commentary on how much it cost to make your own knock off. I especially appreciate how much Trevor discussed how iterative the development process is. You'll also see him express appreciation for how much redundance Segway INC built into their product. I'd also speculate/conjecture/guess that Trevor wouldn't put his kids on his homemade segway based on some of his comments about others using it. If you want a segway DIY project without all the nice details, look at http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/roll-out/...ean-263398.php and start digging around for more details. Searching around on this forum, you'll see your fellow SCers pointing out alot of deficencies with the Korean knock off. Sometimes I wish more anti-Segway people could try out Trevor Blackwell's scooter, or some of the other "knock offs" from Korea. Of course, they'd use the non-segway scooters to further bolster their views, but you'd hope that some might actually do a side by side comparison to see just how refined (and thus safer) a segway is.

11-05-2007, 05:39 AM	#7
japaneezy Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 49	heres your non motorized segway btw a segway cannot work without a motor and gyros, you should buy them a unicycle if thats what you want, cuz thats the closest you will get to what you're describing.

11-05-2007, 12:30 PM	#10
hellphish Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Silentville Posts: 1,122	"Where for" means why.

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