From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@aeiveos.com)
Date: Thu Nov 14 2002 - 14:01:18 MST
Spike wrote:
> Those two-wheeled segway things that Dean Kaman
> invented would be a great fun to race, eh? That
> would be a way cool game! First thing we need to do
> is try to hop it up, perhaps work out an internal
> combustion engine to replace that wimpy electric
> motor. That would present an entirely new and
> exciting engineering challenge: how to get some
> speed outta those things, [snip]
Last night 60 Minutes II had Dan Rather interview Dean Kamen.
Apparently the Segway even at 12 MPH is generating a lot
of resistance in cities as being un-people friendly.
It may be that only "qualified" operators like police
and/or postmen may get to use these in population dense
areas.
Though I didn't see the entire program, there was some
discussion about the development of a sterling engine
that might be used to power the segway. So I think
they already know how to speed them up significantly.
The problem is that it creates a public safety risk
which in turn probably puts you in lawsuit city.
Given the stupid things people manage to do with completely
unpowered skateboards you can hardly imagine the grief they
would cause themselves and others with a souped up segway.
Robert
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