A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter device invented by Dean Kamen. The name is a registered trademark of Segway Inc. It was brought to market in 2001 as the Segway HT, and then subsequently as the Segway PT. HT is an initialism for "human transporter" and PT for "personal transporter."
Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup rival, acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, broadening the company to include other transportation devices. In June 2020, it was announced that it would no longer make the Segway PT.
History
Independent company
The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancing
iBOT wheelchair which was initially developed at University of Plymouth, in conjunction with
BAE Systems and Sumitomo Precision Products.
The first patent of human transporter was filed in 1994 and granted in 1997,
followed by others,
including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.
Prior to its introduction, a news report[ What Is 'IT'? Book Proposal Heightens Intrigue About Secret Invention Touted as Bigger Than the Internet or PC Inside.com, January 2001] about a proposal for a book about the invention, development, and financing of the Segway PT
The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings: , with faster turning, and .
In August 2006, Segway Inc. discontinued all previous models and introduced the i2 and x2 products, which were steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left,
Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessman Jimi Heselden from its U.S. inventor Dean Kamen in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into the River Wharfe while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.
Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):
-
Segway i167 (2001 revealed, 2002 shipped)
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Segway e167: As i167, with addition of electric kickstand
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Segway p133: Smaller platform and wheels and less powerful motors than the i and e Series with top speed of in the p-Series
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Segway i180: With lithium-ion batteries
[ The versatile Segway PT i180 ]
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Segway XT: The first Segway designed specifically for recreation
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Segway i2 (2006): The first on-road Segway PT with LeanSteer
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Segway x2 (2006): The first off-road Segway PT with LeanSteer
In March 2014, Segway Inc. announced third generation designs, including the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, new LeanSteer frame and powerbase designs, with integrated lighting.
Subsidiary of Ninebot
Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup and a rival of Segway Inc., acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, having raised $80M from
Xiaomi and
Sequoia Capital.
The acquisition came months after the U.S. International Trade Commission agreed to investigate Segway Inc.'s claim that Ninebot and other companies were infringing on its patents and copyrights.
Segway Inc. requested the blocking of imports of competing scooters into the United States.
In June 2016, Segway Inc. launched the Segway miniPRO, a smaller self-balancing scooter.
End of production
Only 140,000 units were sold during the lifetime of the product, and in the later years the Segway PT only made up 1.5% of total company profit.
Factors contributing to the end of production include the price (US$5,000 at launch), and the learning curve in learning to balance on a Segway PT which has led to notable accidents involving
Usain Bolt, George W. Bush,
Ellen DeGeneres,
Ian Healy, and Segway Inc. previous owner
Jimi Heselden.
While the Segway has remained popular for security and tourism, electric scooters have been more popular for personal mobility.
UTVs
In February 2022, Segway entered the UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) market.
Products
At the end of production in 2020, Segway Inc. was selling these five self-balancing scooters:
- Professional
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Segway i2 SE (professional self-balancing scooter for use in warehouses and other locations)
-
Segway x2 SE (ruggedised self-balancing scooter for use on most challenging terrain)
-
Segway Robot (autonomous robot based on the Segway miniPro)
- Consumer
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Ninebot by Segway E+ (self-balancing scooter for general use)
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Ninebot by Segway miniPro (smaller self-balancing scooter for general use, controlled by a 'knee control bar')
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Segway GT1P/GT2 P(battery electric super kick scooter)
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GT1 (battery electric super kick scooter)
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GT2 (battery electric super kick scooter)
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ZT3Pro (battery electric kick scooter)
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Xafari (full suspension trekking ebike)
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Xyber (battery electric motorcycle)
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Dirt eBike X260 (battery electric motorcycle)
-
Dirt eBike X160 (battery electric motorcycle)
- Powersports
ATV: AT5 S, AT5 L, AT6 S, AT6 L
UTV: UT10, UT10 Crew
SSV (SxS): SX10 - E, SX10 - X, SX10 - WIDE, SX20 - TURBO, SX20 - HYBRID
- Ninebot
-
E300SE (battery electric motorcycle)
-
E110S (battery electric motorcycle)
-
E125S (battery electric motorcycle)
Technology
The dynamics of the Segway PT are similar to a classic control problem, the inverted pendulum. It uses brushless DC electric motors in each wheel powered by lithium-ion batteries with balance achieved using
, and gyroscopic sensors developed by
BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre.
Usage
In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.
In 2018, the police of Stockholm adopted Segway i2 as a transportation method for the patrollers of the old town.
See also
External links
