Will there be competition for the Segway soon from Sony?
According to patents filed recently by Sony, the company may be entering the personal transportation market soon. Personal transportation can mean anything from new shoes to rollerblades, skateboards to Segways; Sony seems to be targeting the higher end market of personal transport. Some years ago when the Segway entered the scene, there were some predicting it would change the world in many untold ways. Even the most pie-in-the-sky among us would have to admit that it did not quite fulfill those projections. However, there is a market for them, and Sony may want in on it.
There is some difference in the two products, Sony's and the Segway, by the looks of the patent. The main seems to be that leaning produces not only forward and back movement, as on the Segway, but also left and right turning. Also, there was no mention that I saw in the patent of speed. So, besides how fast will it go, we have how long on a charge, how much will it cost, when will it be available (or ever at all) and the like.
My argument against the Segway was always the price (they start around $5,000). I think it is great technology and could at the least make a small dent in the auto-populace out there if it were priced more in line with its capabilities. We may see what Sony is kicking around shortly.
Related
- Camper Brand personal commuter concept targeted at China
- Segway i2 and x2 Transporters
- SegSeat helps those who can't stand (on) the Segway
[Source: gizmag.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CM 1:39AM (1/04/2007)
Segway is just a toy for the idle rich, especially when electric scooters of equal speed and range go for less than 1/10 the price. No wonder they are not selling well.
If Sony does market an electric scooter, it will look "really cool" and stylish, but if they try to sell it in the Segway price range, it won't sell.
Reply
SenatorPerry 12:33PM (1/04/2007)
CM,
I disagree about your comment. You may not have a use for it and maybe 80% of the population doesn't, but my father (67), mother(63), father-in-law(59), and mother-in-law(51) used them to travel around Atlanta, GA for several hours covering 8+ miles. Besides the fact that we could visit many sites in less time (no parking), none of us had the endurance for the travel on foot.
It has a place, and it is good to recognize that limited market and accept it as a product. Complaining that it doesn't meet your specific needs is like complaining to Jaguar that they aren't selling their cars at Chevy Aveos.
Also, cool and stylish is useless when you have my pretty looks. You can't hang curtains on a trainwreck and call it a mansion. Instead I am aim for functionality.
Reply
JoeP 2:36PM (1/06/2007)
I have seen Segways, and even got to ride one once. It was fun, but for me, not needed.
At the San Diego Airport, though, I saw a woman get dropped off by her husband, who took a Segway out of the trunk, and put it on the sidewalk.
She couldn't walk very well, but could stand OK. She was thrilled to have one because she could travel on her own and get around quickly.
I forgot whether she took it on the plane with her, or checked it in, but said there wasn't a problem bringing it.
Reply