[governsleastgovernsbest]

My two cents says it will be more of a toy than a useful item, because the rider is fully exposed to the elements and would be very vulnerable in traffic. It might be self-stabilizing, but that wouldn't prevent it from getting knocked down by a car, with disastrous results for the rider.

[twntaipan]

I think the point is that it would occupy some thing other than the highway or roadway, or that in city centers cars will be banned. I live in a very densely populated city (16,000/sq.mile) and the idea of not having to park the thing alone makes this IT worth the money!

[TomGuy]

Rich "kid" toy. If it gains in popularity, trial lawyer ambulance chasers will see a boom in lawsuits from "traffic" accidents and bystander injuries.

I can see it now--sidewalks with a dividing center line, passing lanes, stop lights...

[AmericaUnited]

YAWN!

Other than that, how do you make sure you $3000 toy does not get stolen? People will steal a bicycle worth $10, forget about a $3000 item.

[ResistorSister]

It will eventually end up in the corner of the garage with the inline skates, pogo stick, motorized scooter, and Sir Clive Sinclair's - C5.

[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.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I have sold all my belongings, threw away all my money and am rearranging my life to revolve around "IT", just as their creators said would happen. I am free. I am sooo happy. I am gold plating mine.

Does that answer it for you?

[Orangedog]

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.

[chance33_98]

My mom would probably love one. Great for when she goes RV'ing and wants to get around. I can see something like this slowly gaining some headway but there (as posted here) a lot of things to be worked out. I would like to see how it does 'off road' like when I go to the creek to fish, how will it handle the uneven dirt trails? I can see where a a bike type seat will be added in short time. I am still waiting for a hover type board though you can take hiking :) Hook me up with one of those with a radio and internet, maybe a cell phone...man I am lazy.

[Sam's Army]

My short take: IT is s*it

[Senator Pardek]

I don't think it will catch on simply because adults will believe they will look silly on one.

It reminds me of the punchline of that dirty "moped" joke: they'e fun to ride, but you don't want anyone to see you doing it.

[Snowy]

It's the first iteration of new technology. The first product of new technology usually isn't very good, but you have to take that first step. I can see where it has its uses. It wouldn't work for me though because I have no place for the groceries, kids, dog, etc.

~Snowy

[Brett66]

It's a cool toy- if you have three thousand dollars to throw away. "IT" will be a niche product, just like Kamens climbing wheelchair. He says it could be used by mailmen, couriers, etc. That seems like a realistic market niche. With all of the surrounding hype of "IT" a lot of people are scoffing, rightly so, I might add. It's nothing more than a "Lark" on steroids. God help us with thousands of old farts zipping around at 17 mph on these things.

[N. Theknow]

Doomed to failure.

No cupholder.

[Physicist]

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?

Great practical importance.

[Bikers4Bush]

It's stupid. We already have two wheeled personal mobility devices that are small. They're called bicycles and unlike this thing you actually get some exercise.

What makes this tool think we'd build entire cities around these things if we don't do it for bicycles?

And I don't care if it is self stabilizing, if you're someone who has trouble moving around to begin with chances are that your coordination will be impaired enough to make one of these downright dangerous for you.

I'll stick to my larger two wheeled personal mobility device that gets about 50 MPG and goes over 100 MPH.

[Snuffington]

The scooter is a toy. I'm curious to see what else they can do with the technology inside it though. That's the real invention.

[RMeek]

I heard of this on the radio a while back. It will be a very good device for the disabled. It can go up stairs. It only has 2 wheels and balances via a gyro controlled device I believe. I think it's a good thing. A little pricey as I recall. . .

The inventor has had some other inventions as well. His first one of these was similar and he called it Fred. What a team! Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!

[strela]

I might have been more interested if the gizmo had actually had the new-technology motor that was previously alluded to in the hype (fuel-cell, hydrogen, etc.). As it stands, I don't see it becoming anything but a bored rich child's toy, doomed to gather dust in the spare bedroom with the stairmaster.

[SamAdams76]

About 20 years ago, the downtown shopping area in Boston was in dire straits. Stores in the area were near bankruptcy. This was because everybody was going to the suburban malls that were springing up all over, less hassle, less traffic, less crime, no worries about parking spaces.

Well they decided to make the entire shopping area (about an 8-block area) a pedestrian mall and called it "Downtown Crossing." They put brick over the roadways and banned auto traffic. They assigned some police officers to patrol the area on foot. Suddenly new stores started popping up and it became a very popular place. They did the same thing with Fanueil Hall which is another popular pedestrian attraction with lots of pubs and restaurants. Getting cars off the streets definitely reinvigorated those downtown areas.

But the city of Boston is still a mess and it will be until we find a way to get people out of their cars. There are just too many cars and too few parking spaces. It is nearly impossible to park. What I see happening because of this invention is huge parking garages just outside the city where people will park their cars and "scooter" into the downtown area. I know it sounds far-fetched. But I see it happening. I also see these "scooters" improving to the point where you can use them in all weather and have some space to store cargo, such as purchases. Remember the first automobiles...they were a joke. You had to hand-crank the engines and you were lucky to get more than a few miles out of them before they broke down for one reason or another. They were also exposed to the elements. I think this scooter is a lot further along than those original automobiles and the improvements and modifications will happen at a much quicker pace as they are put into production.

BTW, I see lots of people using these at Theme Parks in just a few years. Disney World and the rest will be renting them out as you come through the gates.

[Libloather]

I was always partial towards Mary Ann...