Posted on 12/02/2001 6:56:41 PM PST by Enlightiator
The Time article:
This is not a vehicle for a large population of aging baby boomers.
In lockers that will be provided? Special "bike-rack-like" setups? Removal of part of it that will make it impossible for others to use?
I'm not an inventor, but I think someone could make good money designing an answer to the question you pose.
The logistics involved in chaining it to a parking meter can't be that great.
Kamen's dealers could offer 0% down loans like auto-dealers are now.
What happened to the revolutionary engine that was supposed to propel the thing? I heard it was some kind of pollution free cutting edge type of powerplant. Now, it appears to have simple electric motors.
Can't help but be impressed, however. I'm sure its an odd feeling to be balancing on something that clearly shouldn't be standing upright. I also can't help but be worried if the rider hits an obstacle such as a parking barrier or a curb. Instant nose job. Or, if the gyros fail while moving at top speed. Yikes!
All that aside, I think its nifty. I think also, because there aren't any real new capabilities for the price, that this thing is doomed to failure. An electric scooter will do the same thing, for under $500.
Plus, the thing looks like one of those old-timey lawn mowers. What self respecting person would want to be seen on that?
Good idea. Perhaps receipts from parking meters could be used to help fund the renovations necessary to make an IT-friendly environment.
A lot of things will change. Insurance companies are probably thinking up ways to make money off selling IT-insurance right now. I wonder if oil companies will find a way to make money off IT?
Singles who want to attract other young people? Sort of a variation on the walking-your-dog-to-meet-people ploy. Should go over big among young, single Wall Street types who live in NYC.
A caller to Drudge Radio talked about "Segway"-jacking, like getting mugged for your $100 sneakers. There are 3000 good reasons to steal one.
Cross-country IT trekkers.
Trans-continental IT races.
IT Hell's Angels (you must be 70 or older).
IT performing bears
IT ballet
IT tag
and so many others...
No suprise in that price, given the thousand dollar toilet seats and such.
It's already happened. Fox says the U.S. Postal Service will be the first customer.
I am very familiar with those little powered wheelchairs of the 'little rascal' type. My late mother who eventually died from her emphysema used one, but she was in despair because she couldn't go anyplace that a four wheeled vehicle couldn't go, and would have loved one of these gadgets.
In Florida virtually all supermarkets have a number of these powered carts, and there are dozens at Walmarts. Anybody who uses one of these can walk a few steps, or they wouldn't be able to get into the stores. All of these people would be potential customers of these things. If they are disabled, or past 65 I expect that Medicare will pay for them, just as they pay for the little rascals, so the price tag of $3000 will not be so important.
There may be more vacant auto-parking spaces if even a few people switch to these. Five auto spaces could hold a lot of ITs.
Who wants to drive one of these up the parking structure ramps?
Parking structures have elevators. People could park their ITs on lower levels.
5 hours/week, 50 weeks a year at $25.00/hr = $6,250/year.
I can see progressive corporations being interested in using these things.
In what way is walking better in these conditions?
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