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Segway probably has a niche market, in which it will compete with things like motorized scooters. But its impracticalities are too great for a guy like me, who lives a considerable distance from work, has three kids, one wife, and a lot of things to haul.

Single city-dwellers might find it useful for nice days if they don't have far to go, but they'll need to keep their cars, too.

Segway probably has a niche market, in which it will compete with things like motorized scooters. But its impracticalities are too great for a guy like me, who lives a considerable distance from work, has three kids, one wife, and a lot of things to haul.

Totally agree. That being said as a single city dweller (who loves his car) I'd buy one in a second. I can think of a lot of times it would be just great for scooting around the city on short hops.

What really intrigues me about the Segway is the potential for the technology's evolution. My guess is Kamen's first crack is really a demonstration of the technology packaged in a form that would allow him to sell enough of these to industry to recoup his considerable investment. When battery technology improves, and it will, subsequent designs could prove much more appropriate for widespead consumer use. Not perhaps as a simple scooter, but some other as-yet-undefined (and unimagined) personal transport system. Remember, in the 60's the computer visionaries had no time for the suggestion that everyone would have a use for a personal computer. It simply took time and evolution.

I don't think this will be the last word from Kamen on this technology, far from it.

But its impracticalities are too great for a guy like me, who lives a considerable distance from work, has three kids, one wife, and a lot of things to haul.

Can you imagine how impractical it would be if you three wives and one child? :^]

It has alway been viewed as a niche device.
The inventors are interested in profit.

Personally I see it as a golf cart alternative.
This is more an urban very short distance vehicle.

Of course if you own a theme park to you really want
these two wheel wonders ziping all over the place?

Finally note: any vehicle which is individual based
and not mass transit is good.