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The Segway: not just for mall cops
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Segway: simply moving
Segway. It is an eye-catching, smile-producing, self-balancing vehicle that the cool people ride…and mall cops. The name derives from the Italian “segue,” proceed to what follows without interruption.
Segway PT , a personal transporter, is a two-wheeled, self-balancing device, created by Dean Kamen in 2001 and released to the public in 2002, first as the HT, human transporter. The second generation, dubbed PT, appeared in 2006 with enhancements, “LeanSteer” technology and “InfoKey,” a wireless controller, both of which enable users to control the experience of “driving” Segway almost completely using natural movements of their bodies. This vehicle, equipped with gyroscopes that function as sensors responding to the human body as it shifts weight, can reach speeds of nearly 20 mph.
The New Hampshire based company reports that over 50,000 customers have purchased Segways. Ease of use and control make the vehicle a natural for maneuvering through crowded spaces. Physicians, tour guides, teachers and countless others praise its convenience, and its ability to attract attention. Over 1,000 police, security agencies and municipalities use Segway for patrolling purposes.
The company positions Segway more recently for its low impact on the environment, saying it produces “zero emissions,” and can easily replace a car for most transportation needs around the city.
A lesser known use of Segway is as a mobility device. For those at early stages of certain conditions that affect the neuromuscular system, this vehicle provides an effective means of mobility. The Associated Press ran a story about Bill Bradbury, a politician from Oregon with MS who uses Segway for campaigning. While Segway cannot be marketed or sold as a medical device in the United States, some organizations for people with disabilities track usage of the device for this reason. According to the AP article, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in New York, for example, says that Bradbury is “the only candidate with MS running for a statewide office in 2010 that it knows of.”
Until earlier this year, Johnson & Johnson had exclusive medical rights to the balancing technology of Segway and the iBot, the wheelchair invented by Kamen that preceded Segway. For more on those developments, read Megan Drummond’s copyrighted article. With the recent changes, there is speculation that the company may attempt to focus more on using Segway for those with disabilities. As it stands today, if the price tag is manageable, and physical capabilities sufficient, Segway offers a surprising and functional alternative for staying mobile.
Contact Kathryn with your questions or ideas about mobility products and assistive devices.
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