What do FReepers Think of "It"?

Good Morning America

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Good Morning America had extended segments with the inventor of "It", AKA Ginger, a personal mobility device. The co-hosts also participated in a demonstration of the device.

Curious if other FReepers watched and what their reaction is.

Is this an invention of great practical importance, or will it be assigned to the same wing of the Hall of Gadgets that houses the pogo stick?

[KneelBeforeZod]

oops or is it Hammaker Schlemmer. dunno... don't have one out here!

[BansheeBill]

Last night I heard that it would "run all day" on 5 cents of electricity.

Today I heard it would go 17 miles and the batteries charge would last 2 hours.
I also heard it would go up to 17 miles an hour....so 2 hours at say, 15 miles per hour would equal 30 miles, right, not 17?

I am now thinking that under full load/top speed use it probably wont last an hour before the battery runs down. I am also thinking that like many high tech devices, (laptops, digital camera's, cell phones, palm pilots) it will use the high tech expensive to replace batteries that seem to run down REALLY fast in cold temperatures.

So, it sounds more like a recreational toy for warm climates, with fairly flat terrain, as I would think bigger hills will tax/deplete the battery pretty quickly, and cold temps would kill the batteries pretty fast.

If you run out of power somewhere and there is no place to re-charge, you are left to figure out what to do with your $3,000, 65 pound Segway....Lock it to something???? Ask the urbam owners of $1,000 plus value mountain and racing bicycles, what happens when you leave them locked and unattended.

I don't think you'd want to push or carry this thing a long distance. I wonder how fast it can be re-charged?

[boris]

Runs on batteries, does it? Another rich-kids' toy.

[dread78645]

"Will it run Windows XP?

You'll need the 512M memory upgrade. (FreeBSD spoken here)

[KneelBeforeZod]

Seems like you could build an electric scooter much cheaper by replacing 5 gyros and computers with 2 low tech wheels and have functionally the same thing.

Ah, yes, but you see, then the liberals would have nothing to complain about.

Because when Americans are using American made high tech equipment, as any liberal will tell you, it doesn't work for sure, it was made by lowest bidders, there were shady kickbacks that jeopardize the life of US men and women, some of the as young as 18.

But if this same equipment is in the hands of former allies, then look out, because it can shoot down planes and choppers, destroy runways, evade radar, simonize the car and learn Hebrew...

[OWK]

I wonder how fast it can be re-charged?

The reports I read said that it will go for 2 hours on a 1 hour charge.

I think your assessment of it's current practicality are accurate. But the real invention is the stabilization application. The same group is working to power the device by any number of other sources, from high-speed flywheels, to hydrogen, to the sterling engine.

There is significant upside potential in the basic platform.

[weegee]

They've already talked about plans to prohibit driving on alternate days (based on license plate). There was also a proposal to force companies to use carpooling. We're closer to seeing a car ban (here in Houston) than some people want to admit.

Many roads lost a car lane for a dedicated bicycle lane in the past year. Rarely see someone in that lane, and when I do, they generally are wearing a spandex exercise outfit.

[marshmallow]

IT"S called a L-E-M-O-N!

[marshmallow]

IT"S called a L-E-M-O-N!

[Twins613]

Sure, it looks neat and might be fun to use in ideal conditions as an alternative to a car, but what about when the weather turns foul? I would have no trouble choosing the heated and dry interior of my car over "IT" on a cold and wet day in Ohio in the middle of January.

I agree with you. But, I live in Duluth, MN. You folks in Ohio have no idea what cold really is ;)

[nimc]

If you set the goofiness aside and think outside the box, the possibilities are staggering.

I've said this all year about this thing: "It's not the scooter, stupid."

(No personal offense intended.)

[Aquinasfan]

Very cool, but a very limited niche market.

I was more impressed with BMW's "covered motorcycle." You have to see it to appreciate it. Great city/commuter vehicle.

[DManA]

We solved the problem of creating a stable wheeled platform 8 thousand years ago. His innovation solved a non-problem. Propulsion is where innovation is needed - and there seems to be nothing new in that department.

[DManA]

We solved the problem of creating a stable wheeled platform 8 thousand years ago. His innovation solved a non-problem. Propulsion is where innovation is needed - and there seems to be nothing new in that department.

[Aquinasfan]

The company I work for is using gyros for an application that will make Ginger look like poopy-doo.

Fortunately for them, I'm not a security risk because I have no idea how it works. OK, maybe a little ;-)

But I have seen it work, and it's a jaw-dropper. If you're an engineer, you'd especially appreciate the beauty/complexity.

[OWK]

We solved the problem of creating a stable wheeled platform 8 thousand years ago.

By all means, continue with your donkey-cart Mr. Ludd.

[BansheeBill]

But the real invention is the stabilization application. The same group is working to power the device by any number of other sources, from high-speed flywheels, to hydrogen, to the sterling engine.

There is significant upside potential in the basic platform.

I agree. Just about every battery powered vehicle has had major problems due to battery technology not advancing fast enoungh. I would think something like a sterling engine, if perfected, would make sense for a Segway like vehicle, but I'm not sure about having a container of compressed hydrogen on a small open vehicle.

The technology is cool though. You might be interested in some new engine techology that Cobra creator, Carroll Shelby, is involved with HERE.

[Republicanus_Tyrannus]

It's a toy.

It's not going to replace cars. Especially anywhere that gets (1)rain, (3)snow, (3)wind, (4)cold, (5)hot.

Which basically leaves out, uh, Earth.

Thats the trouble with these enviro-kooks. They don't think outside the box of their preconceptions. They think, "Well, I live a block away from work. I would like to get my tofuburger on my way home, so I don't need to be able to haul groceries. I don't have a family, so why do I need to buy groceries? Doesn't everyone live in the city anyway? I hate cars, so I & everyone like me would jump at the chance at buying this as a political statement (squeals "icky SUV's!"). I have no clue how the rest of the world conducts business (icky capitalism!), so I'm sure this will change everything!"

It's a scooter for freaks. Neat gyro, but the idea that this is "big", much less "bigger than the internet" is preposterous. This thing would be completely useless in every place I've ever lived. Especially Wyoming. Ha.

[Arthalion]

Thank you for pointing that out, as many people here seem to overlook the obvious.

Every day, I pile in my 4000 pound car, waste gas, pollute the air, and fight my way through traffic in order to reach my office which is two miles away from my home. I would LOVE to be able to park my car and get to work via any other means, but it's just not possible. Walk you say? Ride a bike? Sorry, not an option. I was hit by a drunk driver when I was 14 years old and my knee was bent in directions that knees were never meant to bend. Although I've healed up pretty well over the years, I can walk no more than a mile before my right knee gives out...and riding a bike is COMPLETELY out of the question.

This machine is the perfect solution, and I WILL buy one when they hit the market for consumers. I wont get rid of my car, but it will be getting far less use.