[spycatcher]

I still don't see how all the power comes from a fairly small battery. Seems the friction would be the same as a bike -- so would a bike go the same length of time with a battery and no pedaling? Will another model have a bike seat with pedaling optional (high tech unicycle/bicycle)?

[BansheeBill]

The motorcycle seat and fiberglass accesories manufacturer, Corbin, has some alternative commuter type vehicles coming out like this:




The Sparrow Personal Transit Module (P.T.M.) is a single passenger vehicle designed specifically for commuters and innercity driving. Powered by thirteen 12 volt batteries, the Sparrow provides an effective range of 30 to 60 miles and a top speed of 70 mph. A vast percentage of commuters in the United States commute 18 miles or less to work daily and most do so alone.

Website HERE

For those with a little more "need for speed" they have a Harley engine powered roadster in the works:

[Jhensy]

I'm intrigued, but the dork factor is VERY high. Put it this way: That cute gal from the Dairy Queen ain't gonna be batting her eyelashes at you as you roll by, even if the collar on your leather jacket is turned up.

[Lx]

Obviously, this guy is a very clever engineer not to mention marketer, I watched the video and it looked like it was fun to ride. I do have a slight problem with the computer controlled balance system.

Why such a high tech solution for something easily solved by adding another wheel? If he's using it as a proof of concept for his gyro system for another more appropriate use, it's fine by me, it sure seems to work well. To pay $3000 for it, seems to me to be a waste of money. With the addition of another wheel, he could eliminate the electronic and mechanical complexity and use the power consumed by the gyro systems to extend its range, not to mention, lower the cost and weight. If someone gave me one, I'd ride it for a while and since I'm a guy I'd take it apart to see how he's accomplishing the balancing act and the supposedly low power consumption, then I'd sell it to get some aluminum heads for my old Vette.

Allow me to go out on a limb and state that in its present form, It won't change the world although the application of its gyro technology might. Sure I'd like to have it at an airport or a mall but they could just as easily rent an electric skateboard type of transportation, too. Yet they don't. If they have a passenger with special needs, they always accommodate them with a manual wheelchair pushed by a no doubt unionized employee unless you get lucky and they stick you on one of those little electric cars. I was just at the mall and the only two things they had that were rent-able were Larks and manual wheelchairs.

It will be interesting to see how these work out for the post office, maybe now my mail will arrive before 17:00 :)

[oioiman]

"IT"-What a load of $h!+.

[piasa]

No way... that thing's dead in the water. It's not big enough for all of the required warning labels and dogs can still take you down. ; )

[marshmallow]

This thing is a lemon. We already have a variety of "people movers" with wheels. We have bicycles, we have tricycles, we have scooters, we have mopeds, motor cycles and cars. We have golf carts.

Add to this list, a scooter that doesn't let you fall off.

Big deal.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

This is retarded! Ok, so a few people and big businesses can use one, but that's about it. The government buying these boondoggles and everybody talking about how they will change the future is ridiculous. They are too expensive, can't do anything new, and everyone who wants one is just a geek. A rich man's toy, nothing else. Consider me unimpressed.

Now ask yourself, if this was 1981, how many would be saying the same thing about the personal computer?

[Tunehead54]

For the record:

I can't recall an FR thread with more whining, negative unimaginative crap.

IT may start at $3000 but the price should come down rapidly with mass production techniques. Nobody has mentioned that whatever is in the thing can't cost more than $300 in materials cost.

This could solve a lot problems with mass transit. High speed rail to hubs and then grab your IT from a locker to get to work.

The mobility this offers for the aging baby-boomers and disabled is revolutionary.

This is the "Model A" - the first. I'm sure they will not be able to improve it in any way shape, form or cost. Right.

Thanks for the post.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"It" a/k/a "Ginger" a/k/a Segway a/k/a...

has some uses for specialized situations.

Will it utterly change the way we live?

I think not.

[baseballfanjm]

I don't think it's such a huge deal. It's hardly the revolutionary product the maker says it is. It definitely won't replace the car as it only carries one person.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

AHHHH FINALLY THE PRODUCT FOR PEOPLE TO DAMN LAZY TO WALK

UP NEXT THE MACHINE THAT WIPES YOUR BACKSIDE FILM AT 11

[bray]

Is there a wheelchair model????

[poindexter]

"It'll never fly, Orville!"

"Get a horse!"

I don't know, I like it! I think I want one.