Segway: Difference between revisions

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{{see also|Personal transporter#Use and regulation by country}}
{{see also|Personal transporter#Use and regulation by country}}
[[File:FlorenceSegwayTour.jpg|thumb|Two tourists on a Segway tour in [[Florence]], Italy]]
[[File:FlorenceSegwayTour.jpg|thumb|Two tourists on a Segway tour in [[Florence]], Italy]]
The special police forces trained to protect the public during the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] used the Segway for mobility.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Branigan |first=Tania |date=2008-07-18 |title=China issues anti-terrorism manual for Olympic games |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/18/china.terrorism |access-date=2025-10-31 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |title=EMS LifeLine |publisher=StreetSmart Segway |access-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114061414/http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |archive-date=14 November 2011}}</ref>
In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |title=EMS LifeLine |publisher=StreetSmart Segway |access-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114061414/http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |archive-date=14 November 2011}}</ref>


Latest revision as of 23:20, 31 October 2025

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A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter device invented by Dean Kamen. The name is a registered trademark of Segway Inc. It was brought to market in 2001 as the Segway HT, and then subsequently as the Segway PT. HT is an initialism for "human transporter" and PT for "personal transporter."

Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup rival, acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, broadening the company to include other transportation devices. In June 2020, it was announced that it would no longer make the Segway PT.[1][2]

History

Independent company

The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancing iBOT wheelchair which was initially developed at University of Plymouth, in conjunction with BAE Systems and Sumitomo Precision Products.[3] The first patent of human transporter was filed in 1994 and granted in 1997,[4] followed by others,[5] including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.[6]

Prior to its introduction, a news report[7] about a proposal for a book about the invention, development, and financing of the Segway PT [8] led to speculation about the device and its importance. John Doerr speculated that it would be more important than the Internet.[9] South Park devoted an episode to making fun of the hype before the product was released. Steve Jobs was quoted as saying that it was "as big a deal as the PC",[9] (he later expressed a negative opinion, saying that it "sucked", presumably referring to "the design" – but also referred to the (presumably high) price point, asking, "You're sure your market is upscale consumers for transportation?")[10] The device was unveiled on 3 December 2001, following months of public speculation,[11] in Bryant Park, New York City, on the ABC News morning program Good Morning America,[12][13] with the first units delivered to customers in early 2002.[14]

The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings: Template:Convert, Template:Convert with faster turning, and Template:Convert.[15] Steering of early versions was controlled using a twist grip that varied the speeds of the two motors. The range of the p-Series was Template:Convert on a fully charged nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery with a recharge time of four to six hours. In September 2003, the Segway PT was recalled, because if users ignored repeated low-battery warnings on the PTs, it could ultimately lead them to fall.[16]

In August 2006, Segway Inc. discontinued all previous models and introduced the i2 and x2 products, which were steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left,[17] had a maximum speed of Template:Convert from a pair of Template:Convert Brushless DC electric motors with regenerative braking and a range of up to Template:Convert, depending on terrain, riding style, and state of the batteries.[18] Recharging took eight to ten hours. The i2 and x2 also introduced the wireless InfoKey which could show mileage and a trip odometer, and put the vehicle into security mode, which locked the wheels and set off an alarm if it was moved, and could also be used to turn on the PT from up to Template:Convert away.[15]

Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessman Jimi Heselden from its U.S. inventor Dean Kamen in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into the River Wharfe while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.[19][20]

File:Segway police Sweden.jpg
Police using a Segway in Stockholm, Sweden

Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):[21]

  • Segway i167 (2001 revealed, 2002 shipped)
  • Segway e167:Template:When As i167, with addition of electric kickstand
  • Segway p133:Template:When Smaller platform and wheels and less powerful motors than the i and e Series with top speed of Template:Convert in the p-Series
  • Segway i180:Template:When With lithium-ion batteries[22]
  • Segway XT:Template:When The first Segway designed specifically for recreation
  • Segway i2 (2006): The first on-road Segway PT with LeanSteer
  • Segway x2 (2006): The first off-road Segway PT with LeanSteer

In March 2014, Segway Inc. announced third generation designs, including the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, new LeanSteer frame and powerbase designs, with integrated lighting.[23]

Subsidiary of Ninebot

Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup and a rival of Segway Inc., acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, having raised $80M from Xiaomi and Sequoia Capital.[24][25] The acquisition came months after the U.S. International Trade Commission agreed to investigate Segway Inc.'s claim that Ninebot and other companies were infringing on its patents and copyrights.[26][27][28] Segway Inc. requested the blocking of imports of competing scooters into the United States.[26][27][28]

In June 2016, Segway Inc. launched the Segway miniPRO, a smaller self-balancing scooter.[29]

End of production

Only 140,000 units were sold during the lifetime of the product, and in the later years the Segway PT only made up 1.5% of total company profit.[1] Factors contributing to the end of production include the price (US$5,000 at launch), and the learning curve in learning to balance on a Segway PT which has led to notable accidents involving Usain Bolt, George W. Bush, Ellen DeGeneres, Ian Healy, and Segway Inc. previous owner Jimi Heselden.[2] While the Segway has remained popular for security and tourism, electric scooters have been more popular for personal mobility.[1][2]

UTVs

In February 2022, Segway entered the UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) market.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Products

At the end of production in 2020, Segway Inc. was selling these five self-balancing scooters:

Professional
  • Segway i2 SE (professional self-balancing scooter for use in warehouses and other locations)[30]
  • Segway x2 SE (ruggedised self-balancing scooter for use on most challenging terrain)[31]
  • Segway Robot (autonomous robot based on the Segway miniPro)[32]
Consumer
  • Ninebot by Segway E+ (self-balancing scooter for general use)[33]
  • Ninebot by Segway miniPro (smaller self-balancing scooter for general use, controlled by a 'knee control bar')[34]
  • Segway GT1P/GT2 P(battery electric super kick scooter)Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • GT1 (battery electric super kick scooter)[35]
  • GT2 (battery electric super kick scooter)[36]
  • ZT3Pro (battery electric kick scooter)[37]
  • Xafari (full suspension trekking ebike)
  • Xyber (battery electric motorcycle)[38]
  • Dirt eBike X260 (battery electric motorcycle)
  • Dirt eBike X160 (battery electric motorcycle)[39]
Powersports

ATV: AT5 S, AT5 L, AT6 S, AT6 L
UTV: UT10, UT10 Crew
SSV (SxS): SX10 - E, SX10 - X, SX10 - WIDE, SX20 - TURBO, SX20 - HYBRID[40]

Ninebot
  • E300SE (battery electric motorcycle)
  • E110S (battery electric motorcycle)
  • E125S (battery electric motorcycle)[41]

Technology

The dynamics of the Segway PT are similar to a classic control problem, the inverted pendulum. It uses brushless DC electric motors in each wheel powered by lithium-ion batteries with balance achieved using tilt sensors, and gyroscopic sensors developed by BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre.[42]

Usage

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File:FlorenceSegwayTour.jpg
Two tourists on a Segway tour in Florence, Italy

The special police forces trained to protect the public during the 2008 Summer Olympics used the Segway for mobility.[43]

In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.[44]

In 2018, the police of Stockholm adopted Segway i2 as a transportation method for the patrollers of the old town.[45]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Segway Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ US patent 5,701,965 Human transporter
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ US Patent 6,302,230 Personal mobility vehicles and methods
  7. ↑ What Is 'IT'? Book Proposal Heightens Intrigue About Secret Invention Touted as Bigger Than the Internet or PC Template:Webarchive Inside.com, January 2001
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Template:Cite magazine
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ The versatile Segway PT i180 Template:Webarchive
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
  26. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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