From: Brian Atkins (brian@posthuman.com)
Date: Sat Jan 13 2001 - 15:17:40 MST
hal@finney.org wrote:
>
> Spudboy forwards:
> > NEW YORK (Jan. 12) - The mystery invention code-named ''Ginger'' that has set
> > the technology world abuzz may be little more than a motorized miniscooter,
> > judging from a recent patent application that came to light on Friday.
>
> Yes, this was discussed here a couple of days ago in a post Max forwarded.
>
> However I believe a lightweight, motorized platform able to go up and
> down curbs and stairs, with a clean, quiet non-polluting engine and
> dynamic balancing capability does qualify for much of the hype which
> has been surrounding it.
>
I'm not so sure it will take off except as a toy/sport, especially in a
country like the US. Personally I am not that interested in being "freed"
from my car, except for having to do the actual driving. In many cases I
would prefer to have a computer drive it for me. THAT would be a big break-
through. There's no way I would drive a little scooter around for my day
to day tasks if I could also afford a car- not safe enough, probably slower
for any distances over a mile or two, can't haul much if anything, etc.
I'm not even sure I would buy it for fun since I prefer to probably ride
a mountain bike and get some exercise at the same time.
-- Brian Atkins Director, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence http://www.singinst.org/
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