Winglet, the Segway killer

[Syzygys]

By Toyota:

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/01/main_winglet.jpg

It is slower than a Segway but also smaller. No report on the price yet....

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/08/toyota-announce.html

[CutsieMarie89]

Do you steer it with you knees? Or do you just shift your weight or something?
I hate Segways and all who ride them. I just don't understand why people can't walk. Security uses them at the mall and it really lowers my respect for them. Its just a pet peeve of mine I suppose.

[Orleander]

I want one. But I want a monster truck version.

[Syzygys]

You shift just like with the Segway. Security people or people working in warehouses might have to walk 10+ miles a shift, justifying using Segway...

[draqon]

I am sorry but this technology will not become a replacement for a segway, majorly because Segway finds its use mostly on golf courts were big tires are much more welcomed, over a rugged grassy terrain, than the smaller ones.

[Orleander]

You shift just like with the Segway. Security people or people working in warehouses might have to walk 10+ miles a shift, justifying using Segway...

At Gm factories they used to use bicycles. Then golf carts. I can see then using segways now. Seriously, there are miles of floorspace and when time is money....

[Stryder]

I always think of this post when Sedgeway is mentioned: (even in passing)
http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?p=65967#post65967

A friend astutely pointed out that people riding the Segway look very much like the villains in the movie "Dark City" in they way that they float about in total absence of limb movement.

Consequently, if I ever see someone wearing a bowler hat and a trenchcoat while riding a Segway, I might turn and run in terror.


I'm still suprised the "Military" hasn't adapted them to lessen the load on soldiers during their marching. perhaps even as some sort of heavy gun platform merged with armour.

Still in honesty they really are a waste of money and energy. Get yourself a C5 (http://www.sinclairc5.com/) at least it's near classic status in the UK making it easier on the budget for car tax.

[nietzschefan]

Western militaries are already mechanized for travel. The marching is just to stay in shape/learn to work together/etc. for actual fighting.

[draqon]

Military got their own tricks

http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/photos/armysuit.jpg

[USS Exeter]

That thing could probably tear a limb off if something went wrong with the system.

[Carcano]

Still looks like a lawnmower.

[Roman]

That thing could probably tear a limb off if something went wrong with the system.

Military accidents are common.
A few years ago, some SAM operator got confused and shot down a helicopter full of Brit soldiers. Oops.

[Challenger78]

Do you steer it with you knees? Or do you just shift your weight or something?
I hate Segways and all who ride them. I just don't understand why people can't walk. Security uses them at the mall and it really lowers my respect for them. Its just a pet peeve of mine I suppose.

I don't get segueways either. Is it going to be adapted to people with large girth ?

[Challenger78]

Military accidents are common.
A few years ago, some SAM operator got confused and shot down a helicopter full of Brit soldiers. Oops.

Really ? Could I get a link ?.

[Syzygys]

I am sorry but this technology will not become a replacement for a segway, majorly because Segway finds its use mostly on golf courts were big tires are much more welcomed, over a rugged grassy terrain, than the smaller ones.

Although that is not a bad application, it is not true that Segway's major use is on golfcourses. It is by security in malls and such...

[Roman]

So some of my particulars were incorrect. (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2003/03/23/britplane2_030323.html)

I find it amusing, though, that we call them Patriot missiles.

[Steve100]

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_complicated_than_it_needs_to_b e

[one_raven]

You shift just like with the Segway. Security people or people working in warehouses might have to walk 10+ miles a shift, justifying using Segway...

And if they can't walk a measly 10 miles a day, they are not fit enough to secure anything.

[one_raven]

Double post

[Avatar]

I prefer walking, thank you very much.

[Syzygys]

And if they can't walk a measly 10 miles a day, they are not fit enough to secure anything.

Just for your sake, let's make it 30 miles....or what if the security guard handicapped?

I take you don't see any legitim usage for Segway???

[Avatar]

A guard has to be able to guard. If they can't walk a measly 10 miles a day, they are not fit enough to secure anything.

[Orleander]

A guard needs to do more than sit in a booth or walk a patrol. If an alarm goes off or he hears someone scream, he needs to get there faster than running speed, especially if its a long distance. This could do that. And airport security guards use trucks. This could be a gas saver.

[Syzygys]

A guard has to be able to guard. If they can't walk a measly 10 miles a day, they are not fit enough to secure anything.

Whatever happened to the 30 miles? I increased the distance!!

So I take you are against handicapped people taking positions as security guard or night watchmen. A person who limps can be an excellent guard but limited in mobility and a Segway could help him/her. Also might watchmen are not there just for deffending the place but notifying the authorities.

Anyway, this is offtopic and silly. Segway has it legitime usage, deal with it...

[Avatar]

Segway has it legitime usage, deal with it...
Oh, it has, but it's still retarded.

[Steve100]

Yeah let's go chasing robbers at 12.5 mph.
Lets just hope they are incapable of running faster than a 10 year old, or using stairs.

[Syzygys]

For Avatar and Steve I would like to offer a job here as a librarian, putting back books where they belong. Since you guys are in good shape, going up and down on the 10 foot ladder isn't motorized and will give you a nice workout. :)

http://r-echos.net/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/hotlinked-image-cacher/upload/farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2079447247_89109c24b0_o.jpg

[Challenger78]

So some of my particulars were incorrect. (http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2003/03/23/britplane2_030323.html)

I find it amusing, though, that we call them Patriot missiles.

Are you serious ? It "Broke down somewhere". ?

Wow, such competence.

[Challenger78]

For Avatar and Steve I would like to offer a job here as a librarian, putting back books where they belong. Since you guys are in good shape, going up and down on the 10 foot ladder isn't motorized and will give you a nice workout. :)

http://r-echos.net/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/hotlinked-image-cacher/upload/farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2079447247_89109c24b0_o.jpg

I'm sure that place has more than one librarian.

[Stryder]

http://r-echos.net/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/hotlinked-image-cacher/upload/farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2079447247_89109c24b0_o.jpg

I wonder if they've created an "Electronic format" version of that library yet.

[Steve100]

I'll do it.
I just want a telescopic Segway to help me out.

[Syzygys]

Hey Jimmy, would you mind putting back this alien aircraft to Row 57th Column 78th? But you can't use the Segway, because we are charging it!

http://r-echos.net/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/hotlinked-image-cacher/upload/farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2080139058_e6e279b914_o.jpg

[Echo3Romeo]

By Toyota:

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/01/main_winglet.jpg

It is slower than a Segway but also smaller. No report on the price yet....

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/08/toyota-announce.html
Good grief, it is almost like the design objective of the red one was to make whoever rides it look like a flaming homosexual.


Are you serious ? It "Broke down somewhere". ?

Wow, such competence.
It was actually the fault of the Tornado aircrew not having their IFF transponder turned on. Oops.

[Jetex Jim]

So some of my particulars were incorrect.

The incident you cited, is by no means the only one. And if you think Patriot is ammusing, how about.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendly_fire
Due to the number of UK personnel killed by U.S. forces, in Britain the term 'friendly fire' is used in a semi-ironic way to imply U.S. Military incompetence. It is a frequent source of satirical humour.



The British Army traditionally refer to it has 'Blue on Blue', while the US call it 'Friendly Fire', (and they'll tell you Americans have no sense of irony:bugeye:).

[one_raven]

Just for your sake, let's make it 30 miles....or what if the security guard handicapped?

I take you don't see any legitim usage for Segway???

I didn't say there is no legitimate use for teh Segway.
I actually think it's kind of cool.

The point I was making is that no, a handicapped person who can not walk should not be considered for a security job unless that job is a desk job.
There are some things that some people just can not do - that's not discrimination, it's reality.

[Syzygys]

Well, the job of a night watchman is not actually withholding an attack, but to notify the authorities/police.

So a 400 pounds guy can be a night security man in a mall, but I wouldn't expect him to walk 10 miles per shift...Same thing with a limping watchman. Actually, you can not discriminate people based on fatness or disability...

[one_raven]

Actually, you can not discriminate people based on fatness or disability...
I'm not talking about what is legal, I'm talking about what is right.
I personally think anti-discrimination laws are too far reaching.
As I said, the simple fact of the matter is that there are some things that some people can not do. Those people should not be getting jobs that require those actions.