Comments on: Competition for the Segway? http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/ General interest observations and true web-log. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:49:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Glenn E. http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-2/#comment-1582820 Glenn E. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:52:30 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582820 The U3-X seems pretty useless, if all you can do with one's hands is hold on so you don't fall off. I doubt there will be a basket option, like on the Segway. The battery charge can't be very long either. Probably under an hour's use. Showing it work in a totally featureless white room, probably hides the fact that it doesn't move sideways (or not very well). They just panned the camera sideways. It didn't do more than go straight, in the office hallway. And almost anyone could walk faster than that. Plus that thing's little roller bearing can't climb stairs or any other level disruptions. I think this product is more of a ploy to impress their less technical stockholders. The U3-X seems pretty useless, if all you can do with one’s hands is hold on so you don’t fall off. I doubt there will be a basket option, like on the Segway. The battery charge can’t be very long either. Probably under an hour’s use.

Showing it work in a totally featureless white room, probably hides the fact that it doesn’t move sideways (or not very well). They just panned the camera sideways. It didn’t do more than go straight, in the office hallway. And almost anyone could walk faster than that. Plus that thing’s little roller bearing can’t climb stairs or any other level disruptions.

I think this product is more of a ploy to impress their less technical stockholders.

]]> By: Glenn E. http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-2/#comment-1582813 Glenn E. Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:47:14 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582813 Thanks. I'll tell my mum about it. She's the one who needs them. I'm not quite there yet. The "permanent" Ultra model is more what she'd be interested in. The disposable's mere 400 hours of use, wouldn't be very long for someone who forgets to turn the thing off. Even at only 10 hours a day, this would mean only 40 days. Not six months. Most replacement batteries last a week. At a dollar a battery, it far cheaper to replace six of those. Than get a new $80 hearing aid. I don't see why manufacturers can't make a rechargeable hearing aid, the way MP3 players and wireless phones are. And those don't cost $280 or more. Why must the battery industry's profits be forever preserved? Thanks. I’ll tell my mum about it. She’s the one who needs them. I’m not quite there yet. The “permanent” Ultra model is more what she’d be interested in. The disposable’s mere 400 hours of use, wouldn’t be very long for someone who forgets to turn the thing off. Even at only 10 hours a day, this would mean only 40 days. Not six months. Most replacement batteries last a week. At a dollar a battery, it far cheaper to replace six of those. Than get a new $80 hearing aid.

I don’t see why manufacturers can’t make a rechargeable hearing aid, the way MP3 players and wireless phones are. And those don’t cost $280 or more. Why must the battery industry’s profits be forever preserved?

]]> By: Bquigley http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-2/#comment-1582515 Bquigley Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:01:37 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582515 Glenn E., You might want to try Songbird. www.songbirdhearing.com. Please note, I work for the company, but I think this could be something for you to know about. Ben Glenn E.,
You might want to try Songbird. http://www.songbirdhearing.com. Please note, I work for the company, but I think this could be something for you to know about.

Ben

]]> By: O'Really http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-2/#comment-1582429 O'Really Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:21:18 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582429 It's just like those lazy ass Japanese to create something that supports their sedentary lifestyle. At least in America, our personal vehicles require you stand and do some work. When will the rest of the world realize the error of their ways and live healthier more active lifestyles like Americans??? It’s just like those lazy ass Japanese to create something that supports their sedentary lifestyle. At least in America, our personal vehicles require you stand and do some work. When will the rest of the world realize the error of their ways and live healthier more active lifestyles like Americans???

]]> By: The Monster's Lawyer http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582419 The Monster's Lawyer Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:45:04 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582419 "A company that puts it out there. That's what matters. You naysayers can sucks ass." ~ Honda “A company that puts it out there. That’s what matters. You naysayers can sucks ass.” ~ Honda

]]> By: amodedoma http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582383 amodedoma Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:42:17 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582383 Back in the day, when I had to cover big computer events like COMDEX or CEBIT, I'd've pay'd good money to rent one of these. Usually I'd have like 3 days to cover these huge events and ended up exhausted with swollen feet. Back in the day, when I had to cover big computer events like COMDEX or CEBIT, I’d've pay’d good money to rent one of these. Usually I’d have like 3 days to cover these huge events and ended up exhausted with swollen feet.

]]> By: qb http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582290 qb Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:22:15 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582290 I didn't think anything could out-dork the Segway. I didn’t think anything could out-dork the Segway.

]]> By: Awake http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582285 Awake Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:08:08 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582285 Get off that dorky looking thing, and climb into this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VemGJSIN1XY&feature=player_embedded#t=53 As Andrew Tobias says in his blog: There aren’t enough airbags in the world for me to want to drive it in serious tractor-trailer traffic . . . my Foosball table weighs almost as much as this Volkswagen Get off that dorky looking thing, and climb into this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=VemGJSIN1XY&feature=player_embedded#t=53

As Andrew Tobias says in his blog: There aren’t enough airbags in the world for me to want to drive it in serious tractor-trailer traffic . . . my Foosball table weighs almost as much as this Volkswagen

]]> By: Buzz http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582258 Buzz Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:19:16 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582258 Very intriguing. The wheel under the rider is segmented in a way that rim slices can move the CG sideways, and of course, it can move to and fro just like a normal wheel. That means you are sitting over an almost ball-like device in function. The seating makes you look about 600% more dorky than a Segway, on which you merely stand straight up, but version 4.0 (wait for it) will be much better. I still like the three Toyota prototypes of the Winglet concept, which extend your legs over fat squished tires for a definite improvement on Segway architecture. Very intriguing. The wheel under the rider is segmented in a way that rim slices can move the CG sideways, and of course, it can move to and fro just like a normal wheel. That means you are sitting over an almost ball-like device in function. The seating makes you look about 600% more dorky than a Segway, on which you merely stand straight up, but version 4.0 (wait for it) will be much better.

I still like the three Toyota prototypes of the Winglet concept, which extend your legs over fat squished tires for a definite improvement on Segway architecture.

]]> By: OvenMaster http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582245 OvenMaster Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:04:34 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582245 My God. ANYTHING to not have people actually walk and burn a calorie or two to get somewhere. My God. ANYTHING to not have people actually walk and burn a calorie or two to get somewhere.

]]> By: Ron Larson http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582234 Ron Larson Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:52:56 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582234 #8..Glenn E. I was listening to a podcast, or reading something the other day about this problem. It was a blind guy who pointed out some of the insane Medicare rules. In his case, he is entitled to buy a reader to read stuff to him. He noted that the built in reader for a Mac does a better job than the one Medicare tried to get him to buy. He also noted that a Macbook laptop costs less than half the price of this reader device. In his case, he paid for the Macbook out of his own pocket because, as he put it, I get the best reader, and it does a million other things. The approved reader, which costs about $7k, only did one thing, narrate text badly. He was told he could buy the Macbook. But in order to get reimbursed, he would have to disable everything except the text reader. No wonder we have the world's most expensive medical care, yet 3rd world coverage. #8..Glenn E.

I was listening to a podcast, or reading something the other day about this problem. It was a blind guy who pointed out some of the insane Medicare rules.

In his case, he is entitled to buy a reader to read stuff to him. He noted that the built in reader for a Mac does a better job than the one Medicare tried to get him to buy. He also noted that a Macbook laptop costs less than half the price of this reader device.

In his case, he paid for the Macbook out of his own pocket because, as he put it, I get the best reader, and it does a million other things. The approved reader, which costs about $7k, only did one thing, narrate text badly.

He was told he could buy the Macbook. But in order to get reimbursed, he would have to disable everything except the text reader.

No wonder we have the world’s most expensive medical care, yet 3rd world coverage.

]]> By: JeremyJ http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582213 JeremyJ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:48:48 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582213 People really need to do a little research. The Segway was an early prototype of the iBOT that they decided to bring to market. The iBOT, even though it was one of the most cost effective chairs on the market was taken off due to heavy lobbying of inferior competitors to insurance companies to not cover the device in fear it would destroy the market. Why would you pay $30k for a chair that does nothing special when you can pay $20k for one that has 4 wheel drive, goes up and down stairs, and balances on 2 wheels to extend your reach above a "normal" human? In healthcare, there is no such thing as a free market. I'm really happy I was able to snatch up one of the last ones made but its a shame that I'll never see another. People really need to do a little research. The Segway was an early prototype of the iBOT that they decided to bring to market. The iBOT, even though it was one of the most cost effective chairs on the market was taken off due to heavy lobbying of inferior competitors to insurance companies to not cover the device in fear it would destroy the market. Why would you pay $30k for a chair that does nothing special when you can pay $20k for one that has 4 wheel drive, goes up and down stairs, and balances on 2 wheels to extend your reach above a “normal” human? In healthcare, there is no such thing as a free market. I’m really happy I was able to snatch up one of the last ones made but its a shame that I’ll never see another.

]]> By: Troublemaker http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582207 Troublemaker Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:38:36 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582207 Competition for an overhyped, failed product? AWESOME!!! Competition for an overhyped, failed product?

AWESOME!!!

]]> By: RTaylor http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582204 RTaylor Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:32:26 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582204 We Boomers aren't going around in plain scooters and wheel chairs. That's the big market opportunity. Why do you think Japanese companies are investing heavily in patient robotic care. I'm investing in a large boat with 2 muzzle loading cannons. There will be a service with refreshments and the deceased, or two, will be blasted out to sea. Going Out With A Boom, LLC. Fishing charters also available. We Boomers aren’t going around in plain scooters and wheel chairs. That’s the big market opportunity. Why do you think Japanese companies are investing heavily in patient robotic care. I’m investing in a large boat with 2 muzzle loading cannons. There will be a service with refreshments and the deceased, or two, will be blasted out to sea. Going Out With A Boom, LLC. Fishing charters also available.

]]> By: noname http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/09/24/competition-for-the-segway/comment-page-1/#comment-1582179 noname Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:50:10 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=58963#comment-1582179 Oh great, more ways to get and stay fat. Oh great, more ways to get and stay fat.

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