good to see that GM is working hard to re-invent their business . . .

[OneBlueSky]

GM and Segway Develop Rickshaw Prototype

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23323/



GM and Segway have teamed up to develop a new prototype vehicle as part of their efforts to "reinvent the automobile," the companies say, but it's not clear that their new vehicle will do better than the original Segway personal transport.

Unlike the original self-balancing two-wheeler, the new vehicle will be enclosed and designed to transport two people seated side by side, rather than one person standing up. It will also be equipped with GPS, wireless technology, and sensors, which could eventually allow an onboard computer to take over some driving tasks.

The vehicle is designed for the city dweller, particularly those who don't bother owning a car because of the twin frustrations of parking and traffic congestion. GM expects this market to grow as people continue to move from the country into cities, and these problems get worse. The vehicle won't be allowed on the highways, since it will be limited to a top speed of 35 miles per hour. It will also have a range of about 35 miles. It's supposed to cost one-fourth as much as a conventional car to operate. The companies haven't disclosed the price of the vehicle, but they do have a catchy name: PUMA, for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility.

Of course, it's hard not to be skeptical. The original Segway transport was supposed to transform cities. Instead, many cities banned them, and it's been relegated to niche applications. It's given mall security guards a fun, and undoubtedly extremely useful, toy, for example. But will the redesign, and the added automation, make the PUMA more successful?

- more . . .

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/energy/23323/

[greyl]

1. "Rickshaw Prototype"! lol

This is really dumb.

[Mopar151]

7. It's a friggin scooter!

Turned sideways and gyro-stabilized, for 4 times the money.

For numerous reasons, I know from DEKA (and FIRST{oy:eyes:}) - just another example of how Dean Kaman's wierd-ass insecurities, hangups, and disdain for cars and car culture can pervert good, useful technology into crap.
Has anybody seen the "stand-up, stair-climbing wheelchair" that Segway's technology was developed from? It was supposed to be in beta testing c.early 2001 - and then... what?

[corruptmewithpower]

2. 76% are not amused.

April 9, 2009
Poll: Let carmakers go bankrupt, say Americans

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/09/poll-let-carmakers-go-bankrupt-say-americans/

[Romulox]

3. Did GM invent a time machine that took us back to last Tuesday?

This has been posted at least a dozen time since then.

[vadawg]

4. not a chance in hell id get one of those things, id rather walk

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. This was pathetic.

I liked the GM wonk who was asked about how the thing was unsafe to travel on roadways, and unsafe to travel on sidewalks, responded with the comment that cities should be redesigned with special lanes for their vehicle.

[baldguy]

6. I'll wait & see.

Every couple years they come out with an electric concept vehicle that'll "REVOLUTIONIZE THE AUTO INDUSTRY!". Then after a few months of hype it disappears & is quietly buried.

[Mopar151]

8. "When the green flag drops

The bullshit stops"

I've seen the teeshirt all over, at every kind of track, flea market and car show. It's why Honda uses racing to train its engineers. What it says about the real-world abilities of electrics is sad.

[baldguy]

9. GM started losing market share when the accountants took over.