The Segway is officially over

[sarisataka]

The Segway is officially over

The Segway PT, which earned a place in pop culture but never realized its creators' world-changing ambitions, will come to an end this summer.

China-based Ninebot, which acquired Segway in 2015, will halt production of the PT, short for Personal Transporter, on July 15. Twenty-one staffers will be laid off at its Bedford, New Hampshire plant. Fast Company first reported the news.

The Segway PT made a splash in December 3, 2001 when it was unveiled on Good Morning America. Inventor Dean Kamen said that an urban transportation revolution was coming and cars would be obsolete. Kamen felt it was absurd to use 4,000-pound cars and trucks for short trips.

But last year the Segway PT accounted for only 1.5% of Ninebot's revenue, according to Tony Ho, vice president of global business development at Segway. With a price tag starting at $6,000 and sometimes reaching $10,000, only police departments and tour groups could afford it, he said.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/23/tech/segway-pt-shut-down/index.html

"Do you remember life before Segway?"
IT fell a bit short of the hype.

[spooky3]

1. Niles Crane will be sad.

See :52 of this:

https://m.

[htuttle]

2. I use a Segway Mini (aka "Segway MiniPro By Ninebot") as my main ride

I live right in the middle of a city, so it's how I avoid the bus. It's a hell of a lot of fun to ride, and I can carry groceries in each hand while gliding along. It's a lot cheaper than an e-bike nowadays (about $400 or so).

I've had mine since they came out about 4 years ago, and have put hundreds of miles on it, including 2 miles today round trip to the grocery store. Recommended. (that's obviously not me in the video -- just wanted to show off how it works, lol).

[htuttle]

6. Segway mini fanboy here again

A couple more videos showing what they can really do, once you get really confident on it.

One of the reasons I like these so much is that they solve the 'last mile' problem in mass transit really nicely. THIS is the product that really solves the problems that original Segway was meant to solve.

After several years riding, I can do all the stuff that this guy does in the off road video.

Some of the stuff that this guy does, though. Stand on one leg? No way, lol. Also, I'm old. I wear a helmet.

[underpants]

3. Never ride one but always wanted to

Maybe soon.

[jayfish]

4. The Centaur Was Pretty Sweet.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. IMO, it would have been great if it had been successful.

Kinda like putting solor panels on the WH.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

7. I watched the "unveiling" on GMA.

Seeing it induced feelings that were reminiscent of earlier Geraldo Rivera TV specials.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. " only police departments and tour groups could afford it" - there's a bit of social commentary

The police have such large budgets for equipment that they are the ones who can buy top-end gadgets of doubtful usefulness, not affluent individuals.