[Enlightiator]

Its a scooter. It has wheels. It doesn't hover. Its called a "Segway." Neat. Yawn. Thanks to www.ginger_chat.com and Drudge for the heads up.

[MadIvan]

I am singularly unimpressed. There may be some elements in its gyroscopic suspension system that are worth using for other applications, but let's be blunt, the fellow riding one of these looks like a right prat.

We did have an inventor who came out with something similar in the 1980's - Clive Sinclair. His mini electric scooter car was called the C5. It was an abysmal failure, because if you took it out onto the road, lorries would kill you. GO on the pavement and old ladies would hit you over the head with their walking sticks.

I just ordered a new Peugeot bicycle - I'll stick with that thanks.

Regards, Ivan

[Fury]

Does this darn contraption have any place to store cheese?

How about a hook so that IT can be pulled by a moose?

[JoeSixPack1]

Ginger can only survive as long as high gas consumption vehicle owners & commercial trucking continue to pay gas tax which provide funding for paved roads. Consistent with present taxation on fuels that power vehicles, this little thing contributes $0.00 to repair, upkeep or paving of the roadways or even sidewalks it is designed to be operated upon.

For the narrow minded greenies its part of their "better world". But, for the realists its a toy with a taxpayer funded gaming arena.

[syriacus]

It should be interesting to see what applications people find for the Segway.

I never dreamed schoolkids would be using those combination back-pack/wheeled-bookbags that they have nowadays. Years ago it seemed only that stewardesses would pull that kind of luggage behind themselves at airports.

I'll bet a lot of inventors are trying to dream up accessories for the Segway right now. This might even help the economy.

[Michael_S]

Perfect to get around town...Unless it is cold, or raining, or snowing, or windy etc.

[webster]

Darn, I was hoping for something like this!

[Valin]

In fact, ordinary folks won't be able to buy the machines for at least a year, when a consumer model is expected to go on sale for about $3,000.

Three grand? I wish him a lot of luck, he's going to need it.

[Musketeer]

It needs a comfortable seat and be able to go 70 mph faster,and be able to store groceries too.

This is not a vehicle for a large population of aging baby boomers.

[theoutsideman]

Boy, I really could pick up the chicks with one of these POS!

[6ppc]

Kind of neat but you can't carry anything much. I don't see a typical soccer mom going grocery shopping on it.

[Renatus]

Is it equipped with a fogger or something to keep the mosquitoes away. What about stray dogs that always attack!

[ppaul]

The environmental wackos in the media make a BIG DEAL about anything that they think might "get people out of their cars to use more 'environmentally friendly' modes of transportation." The fact is, however, few are going to give up the convenience, comfort, and safety of their automobiles for such silly toys, or for sitting next to some drunk transient with body odor for an hour-long trip that could otherwise be made in a half-hour in a car. At $3,000 a pop, no one is going to give up their car for the "It." It will just be another, albeit EXPENSIVE, fad that will fade away as soon as the next big media hype comes along.

[nicollo]

From the Nothing New Under the Sun category:

July 5, 1908 , New York Times:

New Gyroscope Car To Be Seen Here
Novelly Constructed Automobile
Will Shortly Appear in
New York Market.
Flywheel On New Principle
Supposed to Produce Steadier Running
and to Permit of High Speed
Without Danger of Overturning

I ain't kidding. Look it up.

(btw. just below that article is, "Warning of Speed Traps" -- that's a news service I, for one, miss...)
(Had this up on another thread late last nite; sorry for repeat, but thought you a.m. people would enjoy it, too )

[TRY ONE]

WOW! I'm even going to sell my Enron stock to buy into ginger! Or was that parsley or paprika?

[TheOtherOne]

IT - movie (pretty cool video clips)

Demonstrators ride the Segway Human Transporter, a one-person, battery-powered scooter invented by Dean Kamen, Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, in New York. The device, which travels at a top speed of about 17 miles per hour, uses gyroscopes to keep it upright and discern where the rider wants to go. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

Inventor Dean Kamen demonstrates his Segway Human Transporter, a one-person, battery-powered scooter, Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, in New York. The device, which travels at a top speed of about 17 miles per hour, uses gyroscopes to keep it upright and discern where the rider wants to go. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

[KneelBeforeZod]

DRUDGE? HA. Drudge is so yesterday. Maxim had an article on this goofy toy 3 months ago.

[Revolting cat!]

It'll never fly! (Say, how do I invest?)

[Don Corleone]

Where do you put the groceries?

[Don Corleone]

Can you get fries with that?

[dead]

I want one, but I'll only pay $150 bucks for one, tops.