Dean Kamen pondering giving up on Segway
Is the Segway a failure? That's the question that inventor Dean Kamen is reportedly grappling with, as the so-called Human or Personal Transporter has failed to live up to the sales goals set for it when it was launched back in 2001 with a great deal of fanfare. In fact, it was so hyped when first introduced that it would have been nearly impossible for the self-balancing 2-wheeled machine to meet such lofty expectations. Another major problem with the Segway is that there are few places where the devices are specifically legal. Kamen himself suggested that the Segway "will be to the car what the car was to the horse and buggy," and that scenario has most definitely failed to pan out. So, with the Segway's failure as a replacement for the car firmly established, Kamen admits to sleepless nights spent pondering on whether to completely kill the project. Our take? The Segway's a cool product that's a 50% price cut short of greatness. Well, that and perhaps a bit of red-tape cutting.
[Source: CNN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Rob 10:33AM (1/16/2009)
It is a great solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Most Americans are fat, and need more exercise. This does NOTHING to help that, and only makes the fatness in this country even worse. Go down to Chicago and notice all the FAT police officers scooting around on them. It's sad.
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Brent 5:13PM (1/16/2009)
Here is a great Segway video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pFv8CAniYQ
Randy 11:32AM (1/18/2009)
It does nothing for fat lazy Americans?
I disagree!
It makes us stand!
Unless of course you opt for the aftermarket seat..... ;-)
ack154 10:34AM (1/16/2009)
I have seen people on Segways from a distance... but have never personally even touched one. And I really can't imagine that I would.
However, that doesn't mean it isn't a cool transport without a purpose. Perhaps a new marketing strategy? Target vacation resorts? Cruise ships? Some sort of isolated area where they could be planned for, accepted and used daily by customers, visitors, employees?
Instead of trying to make it so everyone can use one in a city or urban area, find their niche.
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maestro_mario 6:08PM (1/16/2009)
I had the chance of driving one and honestly it's the first thing that I try that really feels like the 21th century; It's just unbelivable and amazing.
I even dare to use it on under rain on damp grass, and it's soo good that under these conditions I managed to climb a small slope next to stairs and stay immobine in the middle of the incline waiting. The control you have is really impressive. Even my 7 year old daughter manage to use the Segway in minutes. (Ok, she's tall...and the Segway was set to beginner.) She was going everywhere with it, and she wouldn't get off.
The autonomy is also very good, and around pedestrians it much more friendly than a bicycle because it's short and stable a very low speed.
Polly Prissy Pants 8:20PM (1/16/2009)
You're on the right track. Like the bicycle, the seqway is a neat toy, just don't confuse it with a means of regular transportation. They're great for mall cops or for rich folks who want to go dork around at the park but overall that's a pretty small market.
higB.0x02 10:41AM (1/16/2009)
meh.. when I see someone on a segway... i usually think "look at that d00shbag on a segway."
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Nixapatfan 10:42AM (1/16/2009)
Make it less than $1000 and I'm sure they won't be able to keep up with demand. Just priced way too high for something that can't even effectivley replace a bicycle.
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Razor 12:22PM (1/21/2009)
Personally I don't see a use for these even at $1000. From day one I thought these solved the problem that no one had...
Mason 10:43AM (1/16/2009)
Definitely right about the price point. What got people to buy model T's? Cheap prices. Slash the price for a year or 2 and see what happens instead of just letting this die.
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Epyx 11:03AM (1/16/2009)
The best uses for segways are limited. As a mass consumption device it is way too expensive. Any time the Segway would be usefull, walking is just as good - and less hastle. Where do you put this thing when you get to the destination? That is the part I never understood.
Its a cool invention with little practical need.
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ajkl 11:11AM (1/16/2009)
Reporting FAIL.
The CNN article has nothing to do with the discontunation of the Segway; it's just an article where Kamen was quoted concerning how difficult a decision it is to quit a project. In know way does Kamen state the Segway project was a failure. Try reading your source propely and don't interject your own percieved conclusions about the sucess of a product or company.
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Epyx 11:27AM (1/16/2009)
Please provide ANY quantifiable, empirical evidence pointing towards anything but the failure of this expensive toy.
It may have marginal success if priced less than $1K but it will still only be a toy. The only practical use for this invention is as a toy. Period. Cops don't need them. People don't need them. Security guards don't need them. In any application walking or a bike are just as useful, more environmentally friendly, and for sure more cost effective.
It is a cool device with no need. His expectations for the thing were way to high. Just accept that it is a toy and sell it as such.
n8new 2:44PM (1/16/2009)
I'm with you ajkl.
The CNN article doesn't mention anything about Kamen considering given up on Segway. The poster of this blog did not comprehend this article at all.
I feel the CNN Headline, however, was sensationalistic and intended to mislead. And Korzeniewski fell for it.
skuttledude 11:51AM (1/16/2009)
I agree..
a price drop would really help the sales
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Rick 11:19AM (1/16/2009)
Under $500, and it's a whole new ball game.
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Pat 11:50AM (1/16/2009)
I remember before the segway came out, some insider said that people will build cities around it. Well, I think that's the only way it could be useful. Take, for example, a densely populated city with plenty of urban sprawl like New York or even Chicago. Parking and traffic is such a pain in those areas. You could theoretically ban cars from those cities and have giant garages around them. People would take the train or drive to the outer part of the city, hop on a segway, and get to their urban destination - regardless if it's on the other side of town. There wouldn't be a great need for buses or subways. Parking, traffic, and road problems would be negated as well. But it takes a giant infrastructure for this idea...and at it's current price point, there's no point in starting.
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davido 12:10PM (1/16/2009)
"People would take the train or drive to the outer part of the city, hop on a segway, and get to their urban destination - regardless if it's on the other side of town. There wouldn't be a great need for buses or subways."
You mean they'll get to their destination eventually. These things have a top speed of 12MPH. And what happens when it rains or snows or the temperature is above 90 or below freezing?
Rocketboy 1:07PM (1/16/2009)
Well, ignoring the fact that their's rain and snow, yes. But the last thing I want to do when it's 0 degrees out is to try to drive over ice and snow drifts on a Segway.
Erik 11:35AM (1/16/2009)
While it's cool as a concept, it's bad as a product. It has about as much potential for replacing automobiles as a riding mower does. You really cannot compare the two. The only form of transportation a Segway can compete with is walking or running, and the last thing on earth we need is less walking and running. I'll be happy if Segway goes the way of the dodo.
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