ASegway is atwo-wheeled, self-balancingpersonal transporter device invented byDean Kamen. The name is a registered trademark ofSegway Inc. It was brought to market in 2001 as theSegway HT, and then subsequently as theSegway PT.HT is an initialism for "human transporter" andPT for "personal transporter."
Ninebot, aBeijing-based transportationrobotics 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]
The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancingiBOT wheelchair which was initially developed atUniversity of Plymouth, in conjunction withBAE Systems andSumitomo 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 devotedan 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'resure your market is upscale consumers for transportation?")[10] The device was unveiled on 3 December 2001, following months of public speculation,[11] inBryant Park,New York City, on theABC News morning programGood Morning America,[12][13] with the first units delivered to customers in early 2002.[14]
The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings: 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h), 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) with faster turning, and 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).[15] Steering of early versions was controlled using atwist grip that varied the speeds of the two motors. The range of the p-Series was 6–10 miles (9.7–16.1 km) 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 12.5 mph (20.1 km/h) from a pair of two-horsepower (1.5 kW)Brushless DC electric motors withregenerative braking and a range of up to 15–25 mi (24–40 km), 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 15 feet (4.6 m) away.[15]
Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessmanJimi Heselden from its U.S. inventorDean Kamen in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into theRiver Wharfe while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.[19][20]
Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):[21]
Segway i167 (2001 revealed, 2002 shipped)
Segway e167:[when?] As i167, with addition of electric kickstand
Segway p133:[when?] Smaller platform and wheels and less powerful motors than the i and e Series with top speed of 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) in the p-Series
Segway i180:[when?] With lithium-ion batteries[22]
Segway XT:[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]
Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup and a rival of Segway Inc., acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, having raised $80M fromXiaomi andSequoia Capital.[24][25] The acquisition came months after theU.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]
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 involvingUsain Bolt,George W. Bush,Ellen DeGeneres,Ian Healy, and Segway Inc. previous ownerJimi Heselden.[2] While the Segway has remained popular for security and tourism,electric scooters have been more popular for personal mobility.[1][2]
^"Segway company owner rides scooter off cliff, dies".NBC News. Retrieved3 February 2022.A British businessman, who bought the Segway company less than a year ago, died after riding one of the scooters off a cliff and into a river near his Yorkshire estate.
Media related toSegways at Wikimedia Commons