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"IT" Revealed - (Ginger)
TIME.Com ^ | 12/2/2001 | JOHN HEILEMANN

Posted on 12/02/2001 6:56:41 PM PST by Enlightiator

The Time article:

"Reinventing the Wheel"

The "flash" view.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
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To: SamAdams76
Yeah but nobody bought them (the Apples).

Think Visicalc, an application that ran only on the Apple. Before the IBM PC became a success, the Apple II was the office computer of choice, simply because it ran this spreadsheet.

Considering their humble start, I'd say Jobs and Woz were wildly successful.

421 posted on 12/03/2001 10:57:23 AM PST by Denver Ditdat
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To: semper_libertas; laconas
Sorry fellows, but the segway website suggests that IT uses 5 small vibratory gyroscopes, each of which is about 10 mm across. In other words, it doesn't look like flywheels are doing any of the driving here.

I'm not an engineer, but that's what it looks like to me.

422 posted on 12/03/2001 11:05:42 AM PST by the bottle let me down
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To: Zon
Hmm interesting stuff. I've never thought about nanotech as a possible energy source, makes sense once you say it though. Just so long as we don't have automated highways before I die, that's just a dystopia to me, I take such pleasure in driving a car, and so little in being a passenger. We'll see, there's some exciting stuff going on.

I think the drive train for the Segway will be the revolutionary thing (the control system is neat, but that kind of stuff is only good for low speeds, at high speeds turning the vehicle moves your body too much for tilt controlling to be safe), if it's half as efficient as they say it is it's very impressive. The worst invention in the world always has one thing about it that's cool the question is did the inventor use that cool part well. In the case of Segway I think the answer is a resounding no, but we'll see what people do with that drive train, that actually could revolutionize things. I want to know what happens when you put 6 of those engines on 4 wheels of a car instead of 2 on 2 wheels of a half assed scooter. What kind of fuel efficiency and top speed are we talking then? What can be done to this to make it run a fully loaded sedan at highway speeds for 250 miles (roughly what the average sedan gets per tank now) and how fast can you recharge it? That's what interests me in Segway.

423 posted on 12/03/2001 11:14:25 AM PST by discostu
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Comment #424 Removed by Moderator

To: the bottle let me down
OK, folks. Whatever happened to the REAL invention claimed earlier of this thing using a type of "Sterling Engine"??

1. It needs to do at least 40 MPH.
2. It needs a longer battery life
3. It needs an internal lock. A grove cut into the chasis that one can just put a bar from a bike rack into it, turn a key and it seals it to the rack.

Other than that, it'll sell for a while. Until it's registered and plated like a motorcycle, the hype will remain high. Perhaps there's some FReepers here that work for the postal system that can enlighten us about their experience with this in the future.

425 posted on 12/03/2001 11:16:52 AM PST by RandallFlagg
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To: Denver Ditdat
Why leave home at all? The same end could be achieved by buying groceries online in a virtual supermarket, thus eliminating the "go to the store and come home emptyhanded" step.

Because some people like to be out and around, touching, smelling and looking at solid objects sometimes.

426 posted on 12/03/2001 11:16:55 AM PST by syriacus
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To: thinden
has anybody disclosed the "power source" of IT?

This version uses batteries. Nothing new.

What is kind of new is the "method" of propulsion.
Gyroscopes are normally used to stabilize. The gyroscope can sense if something becomes unbalanced and send a signal to a motor or some other actuator to make a correction and stabilize the device. These are used in avionics, missile guidance, and those jitter free cameras they use to film NFL games.

Ginger uses the motor that usually stabilizes a device as the means of locomotion. It is like trying to balance a yardstick on your open hand: if it leans forward you have to move your hand forward to keep it balanced. All the technology that Kamen uses has been around awhile. He just uses it in new and ingenious way. The definition of a true inventor.

Though this version uses batteries, I believe this device is a prime candidate for fuel cell technology. I bet Kamen already has version built up somewhere. But it probably costs much more than the $3000 and $8000 prices he quoted

427 posted on 12/03/2001 11:21:34 AM PST by toast
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To: Enlightiator

Segway -- "Tourist-Tested Tough"

428 posted on 12/03/2001 11:24:32 AM PST by mikrofon
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Comment #429 Removed by Moderator

To: Enlightiator
This is a "niche" product ie. has no capacity to carry groceries, can't use in inclement weather, etc. so I'm not even quite sure what niche this guy is aiming at (Hahahahahaha). If I wanted to get something small I'd get a motor-scooter or, better yet, a bicycle for the exercise. Or...............

I don't know if anyone here has been to Europe lately........but they have these 2-seater cars (3 cylinder engine!!!!!) that are extremely utilitarian for in-city driving, parking, gas mileage, etc. They're maufactured by Daimler-Chrysler.......kinda cool, you see them all over the cities "over there". Check this out if you WANT "small":

http://www.smart.com/

Hey, at least you can get a couple of bags of groceries in them!

430 posted on 12/03/2001 11:36:43 AM PST by DoctorMichael
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To: DoctorMichael
Unfortunately, whenever you park the three-wheeler, everyone around expects Rowan Atkinson to step out and crush his nuts on a parking meter...
431 posted on 12/03/2001 11:41:58 AM PST by RandallFlagg
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To: Denver Ditdat
>>>It happens to a statistically significant number of folks who fall in the shower each year, too, but that's not to say that I'd want to wear a helmet there.<<<

How can you be so careless, negligent even!! Think of your family! I never take mine off in the shower unless it's Tuesday - that's when I wash my hair. (;>)

432 posted on 12/03/2001 11:56:05 AM PST by HardStarboard
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To: Denver Ditdat
>>>It happens to a statistically significant number of folks who fall in the shower each year, too, but that's not to say that I'd want to wear a helmet there.<<<

How can you be so careless, negligent even!! Think of your family! I never take mine off in the shower unless it's Tuesday - that's when I wash my hair. (;>)

433 posted on 12/03/2001 11:59:02 AM PST by HardStarboard
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To: Zon; Howlin
What is your other screen name on FR? Or the one you had when you got banned?
434 posted on 12/03/2001 12:45:32 PM PST by RedBloodedAmerican
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To: Zon
Nanotechnology will do that and revolutionize, and/or, obsolete a hundred other industries.

Amen to that. Rumour has it possibly even the funeral industry.

435 posted on 12/03/2001 1:46:53 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
I find it kind of sad that all the sci-fi writers back in the 70's envisioned flying cars (a la Blade Runner) by this point in our history. Instead, we're stuck with an over glorified moped.
436 posted on 12/03/2001 1:50:49 PM PST by ambrose
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To: DoctorMichael
The thought that this product will be successful thoroughly confuses me as well. It has such a limited use, and provides little functionality. Not to mention, there's a serious geek factor involved. Did you see Kamen on GMA this morning wearing his helmet? Sorry...but that guy with his helmet on the Segway just kept a thousand from being sold.

So, this thing costs $3,000. Why not just get a moped? You can sit down, there's a tiny bit of carrying capacity, it gets much better range, goes faster, and can be driven on streets. For about $3,000, you can get a Vespa. Tres chic.


437 posted on 12/03/2001 1:55:02 PM PST by July 4th
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To: semper_libertas
because I "faded" (Our euphemism for when I get abruptly exhausted and racked with muscle pain and spend the rest of the day laying down).

I know what you're talking about there, but I have been much luckier, only having this condition because of a couple of MCI's, I seem to be having some vascular regrowth, which explains my much delayed departure. Sorry again for the misunderstanding. God bless you also.

438 posted on 12/03/2001 1:55:13 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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Comment #439 Removed by Moderator

To: discostu
Just so long as we don't have automated highways before I die, that's just a dystopia to me

The way I've heard about it, for the forseeable future only heavily trafficed highways would be automated. So you can go to sleep, or whatever, while commuting, but drive yourself in the country. Sounds good to me.

440 posted on 12/03/2001 2:46:15 PM PST by Lucius Cornelius Sulla
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