Nothing says "to serve and protect" like a cop riding piggyback on R2-D2. T3 Motion has developed a three-wheeled competitor to the Segway, which it's currently marketing to law-enforcement agencies and those crazy cops from California were first in line.
The T3 made its debut in Boston on October 14 at a police chiefs convention, though the company says it is looking into other technologies, applications and markets. Currently the T3 is being tested at the University of Southern California and on Catalina Island, among other locations.
The vehicle is powered by two battery cells, which are charged via a specially-designed charging unit that runs off ordinary wall-socket electricity. The little scooter also comes equipped with LED flashing lights, sirens and a lockable glovebox (for felonious squirrels) and even an optional GPS tracking system. That's a lot more than you could fit on a Segway (and not just because they've been recalled, either). We just wish it could say "stop, or there will be... trouble".
Because the batteries can be swapped out on the field, T3 Motion says the vehicle effectively has an unlimited range. With quick-turning agility, the company also says their scooter has "intuitive handling". Know what else has intuitive handling? A cop walking the beat.
[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ Oct 18th 2006 4:05PM
They had these in use a few weeks ago at the opening of the new performing arts center in Costa Mesa (CA) - they looked really cool and got around really fast. The only negative I've heard about them is their width - making them hard to store away in closets when not in use. I've also seen these in use in Huntington Beach.
James
http://www.CarTV.com
Roanoke @ Oct 18th 2006 4:09PM
That's just really sad. ...I mean really!
I'd rather be caught on a bike (if I was a cop).
robotrock @ Oct 18th 2006 4:22PM
reminds me of that weirdo scooter robot thing from the intro to the C.O.P.S. cartoon
Noah @ Oct 18th 2006 4:28PM
yeah it really screams "respec mai autoritai!" What is this some kind of AWD act spin off so REALLY fat cops can "walk" the beat too?
--Noah
auto specifications @ Oct 18th 2006 4:31PM
It doesn't look bad
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
hmmm @ Oct 18th 2006 4:40PM
The little scooter also comes equipped with LED flashing lights, """sires""" and a lockable glovebox, ------- sires well that is a neat feature !! proof read please !!!
TheOne442 @ Oct 18th 2006 4:47PM
I saw something like this when I was down in Kansas City last month. Kinda weird
fizzandpop @ Oct 18th 2006 5:03PM
And the cops wonder why they get no respect. Seriously, this is the most 'tarded thing I've seen since that Gulf Hummer.
Edsel @ Oct 18th 2006 5:08PM
Put a Harley badge on it and it'll sell like gangbusters. Otherwise it's just another dumb idea.
christopher @ Oct 18th 2006 5:08PM
And I thought the Segway looked totally stupid... I was wrong. Dead wrong.
Any lawman coming down the street riding that thing is going to lose respect faster than Paris Hilton at a nightclub.
dopeselecta @ Oct 18th 2006 5:30PM
I saw one on campus last week at USC, it was a trip, they look much better than the chariot looking thingies that use bicycle wheels and look way dangerous to use. Anyways, not too bad lookin' and it is quite safe around campus.
Chris Goldrick @ Oct 18th 2006 5:33PM
To serve and gain weight. How do police forces expect to maintain fitness with such ludicrous machines?
Reactor Mustang @ Oct 18th 2006 8:19PM
R2-D2 is a NARC, I knew it!
DPC car videos @ Oct 19th 2006 1:42AM
I would not pull over if this thing flagged me down.
Charles @ Oct 19th 2006 10:22AM
Did you get the cartoon series Jamie and the magic torch? Well every copper on one of these will look like Officer Gotcha from that very cartoon.
See link for picture!
http://www.jedisparadise.co.uk/index.htm?childrenstv/Jamie/Jamie.htm&1
J. Oswald @ Oct 29th 2007 4:00PM
I like that scooter thingy . it should be great for patrolmen who have to patrol beach areas and congested downtown areas , maybe parking lots and garages . the weight issue is rediculus. it can save dollars and help the patrolmen . great idea . Jim