I admire Segway for what they wanted to achieve, and for their technical ingenuity. But they made a product with geek appeal only, rather than revolutionizing personal transport, they failed to understand social norms and instead created a tool for cybercops and tourists.
I can’t think of the Segway without thinking of:
- Will Arnett’s character G.O.B. from the TV series “Arrested Development.”
- President Bush falling off of one.
- Security guards zooming around the mall wearing helmets.
Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a car, is it a bike, is it a pogo stick………………..that was the big problem for me, it really wasn’t intuitively obvious what it was, what to do with it, and why it was better than the existing alternatives, or why it justified it’s price tag. It may have had afforndance built in at the detail level to help you mount and naviogate it, but it missed on intuitiveness at the level of the big picture.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I admire Segway for what they wanted to achieve, and for their technical ingenuity. But they made a product with geek appeal only, rather than revolutionizing personal transport, they failed to understand social norms and instead created a tool for cybercops and tourists.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
The only time I ever wanted to ride one of these was when I was completely inebriated. I had enough liquid encouragement and attempted to ride.
It seems like the perfect device for the lazy at large. At least it doesn’t pollute.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I can’t think of the Segway without thinking of:
- Will Arnett’s character G.O.B. from the TV series “Arrested Development.”
- President Bush falling off of one.
- Security guards zooming around the mall wearing helmets.
October 24th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Cutting edge design and break through engineering, but ultimately the big question has to be, would YOU want to be seen on one?
December 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Yeah, hoo doggy, how did something so technically awesome-sounding on paper end up being so freaking nerd-in-a-bad-way barfy?
The only good thing about it is that video of Bush Jr. falling over.
Maybe Mr. Jobs had it right all along: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3533.html
Now, the wheelchair that uses the same technology: that seems was cooler IMHO.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a car, is it a bike, is it a pogo stick………………..that was the big problem for me, it really wasn’t intuitively obvious what it was, what to do with it, and why it was better than the existing alternatives, or why it justified it’s price tag. It may have had afforndance built in at the detail level to help you mount and naviogate it, but it missed on intuitiveness at the level of the big picture.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I’m trying to get one to hit me as I’m walking down the sidewalk.