"Man Max, Machine Min"

[n/a]

I dont recall that phrase being used earler.

Groovy found this one first:

http://www.itworld.com/Tech/2987/021101segway/

quote:One of the overwhelming principles in the design of the HT was this simple credo: "Man Max, Machine Min." Or more simply, when the design teams needed to make a choice between more room for the rider or more room for the machinery, they chose the rider every time, said Scott Waters, industrial design engineer at Segway LLC. This resulted in the HT's small footprint, which takes up no more area than a regular person standing in the same place would.

[ftropea]

I think they should push it even further...

Make the Segway-HT even more transparent. If possible, smaller wheels... narrower base.. Maybe no handle bar? If that is all possible without sacrificing performance characteristics and safety - then I think they should do it.

Make it smaller.. lighter.. something truly wearable.

Regards,

Frank A. Tropea

[n/a]

From the patents we have seen, such versions are in the works.

[Blinky]

quote:One of the overwhelming principles in the design of the HT was this simple credo: "Man Max, Machine Min." Or more simply, when the design teams needed to make a choice between more room for the rider or more room for the machinery, they chose the rider every time, said Scott Waters, industrial design engineer at Segway LLC. This resulted in the HT's small footprint, which takes up no more area than a regular person standing in the same place would.

The evolution of the Segway-HT will be something to follow in the coming years. Although, it may seem a little early because they have not yet released the Segway-HT yet.

If Segway is something that does play a major role in future transportation, it will almost certainly have to maintain that 'small footprint' reputation.

[Blinky]

quote:Kamen loves to talk about the future. He thinks Europe will be an ideal introductory consumer market for the HT, due to the makeup of its cities and citizens. "Europe is way ahead. They are greener, the cities are smaller, there's more mass transit and people are more accustomed to walking. Society in Europe is more likely to embrace the Segway." Asia is the long-term market, he feels, since so many of its cities have yet to be built, and its cities can be designed for the HT.

Another interesting quote from the article. We already know from a prior thread on this forum that the UK has already banned them from the sidewalks. This is probably not a major setback for Segway because the Segway-HT may be better suited for the streets over there. This is of course my opinion. Time will tell on this one.
As for Asia, 'YES' the lack of modernization does exist. Segway should keep in mind that they (ex. China) are booming in getting their country modernized. The pace as of late(past 10 yrs)has been increasing and have the resources to back them. You guessed it, their own government.

One has to wonder if Segway is making the right push to these nations to get them to prep up for the Segway-HT. Or if these nations are keeping into consideration that the Segway-HT might be something that will be used in their own respective countries.