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NEW SCOOTER EFFICIENT FOR EVERYONE
By Victoria Wancel
Perhaps the cartoon, “The Jetson’s”, was somewhat accurate in their vision of the future.
The Segway Human Transporter, invented by Dean Kamen, is the closest thing to the cartoon. It is a two-wheeled personal transportation device, intended for a single standing rider, that doesn’t leave the ground and is powered by battery.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. is the first university in the world to implement use of the Segway Human Transporter after acquiring three Segway Human Transporters this past fall.
Kerry Sullivan, a junior at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., said she hopes Marist will incorporate the use of the transporters onto campus in the future.
“Being able to use transporters to get to class will make getting to class a lot easier,” said Sullivan. “Less students will cut class if they can hop onto a transporter rather than walk to class.”
According to Kamen, the transporter can go up to 12 miles an hour and does not have brakes. It is designed to imitate the human body's ability to maintain its balance. Riders control the speed and direction of the device simply by shifting their weight and using a manual turning mechanism on one of the handlebars.
Donna DeStefano, General Electrics Company employer, said the Segway in the long run will help the environment.
“If the transporter becomes a trend, people will drive their car less,” said DeStefano. “Air pollution will decrease if we all integrate the transporter into our daily lives.”
Kamen said the Segway takes its rider up to 15 miles on a six-hour charge from a regular wall socket. He bills it as an environmentally friendly alternative to cars, and expects that in the future the devices will replace the car in urban centers.
Not all people are embracing this new, innovative device.
San Francisco, Calif. became the first large municipality to outlaw the Segway on its sidewalks, even though California approved Segway-enabling legislation.
Critics of Kamen said the Segway is a safety hazard on sidewalks because it weighs 69 pounds and travels at up to 12.5 mph - three times faster than the typical pedestrian. Also, states aren’t requiring its drivers be trained, although some have set minimum age and helmet requirements.
Donald Sweigert, an engineer at Horizon, in New York City, said it is ridiculous that people are opposing the Segway.
“The critics act like the Segway will cause chaos around the world,” said Sweigert. “Senior citizens use motorized scooters to help them get around; and no harm is done,” said Sweigert. “I see no difference in letting all people use scooters to get around.”
The first models are expected to be available to consumers in about a year at a price of about $3,000, said Kamen.