Segway is it? The photo of the device presented in this material confirms the innovativeness of such a vehicle. In fact, the technological device acts as a two-wheeled electric scooter, which is “able” to maintain its balance on its own. This is facilitated by the presence of an automatic balancing system in space.
Segway is a unique invention that enables the user to enjoy high-speed driving without the need for long-term driving training. Such devices are safe, simple to operate, and environmentally friendly. These features make the two-wheeled scooter extremely convenient, but far from cheap entertainment.
History
The idea of creating a Segway was first presented to the general public in 1991 by the American inventor Dean Cayman. However, the developer had to spend as much as 10 years on the successful implementation of the plan. Therefore, the first Segway was released and successfully tested only in 2001.
In 2006, Kamen’s somewhat declining company was bought by millionaire Jimmy Heselden, which gave rise to the development of a new generation of two-wheeled scooters. The modernization here affected, first of all, the unstable rudder sleeve. In new models, the direction of movement began to be set by the tilts of the body, and not by keystroke, as was the case in the basic samples.
Segway Description
The name of the device comes from the definition of segue, which means a sequential, measured transition from one state to another and the word way, which translates as “road” or “path”.
Structurally, the innovative invention is presented by a platform on two large wheels. In front of the device contains a rack with a horizontal steering bar.
It would seem that the above design in practice should be completely unstable. However, a special mechanism for stabilizing the device facilitates balancing the user while moving.
Features of functioning
Segway is a vehicle for the control of which is responsible for a unique system of its kind called Dynamic Stabilization. It is based on a whole group of special position sensors in space and gyroscopes, which tirelessly register the direction of displacement of the center of gravity of the user, located on the platform of the device. Thanks to the data received, the system determines in which direction the person is leaning, preventing falls. If the user's body deviates backward or in the frontal direction, the Segway automatically moves in the same direction.
Application
In practice, a Segway is a device whose possible areas of use are minimized. Despite the long modernization, as well as the efforts of marketers, the device still continues to cause interest only among enthusiasts. However, the movement on such an
electric scooter in urban streets is a rather practical and more convenient solution compared to the same bike.
In the United States, segway is widely used by postal workers, government employees, office and technical personnel as a mobile, safe means of transportation.
The main difficulty on the way to mass distribution of the invention remains its prohibitive cost for the bulk of interested users. Even today, the price of most segways is equal to the amount that is enough to buy a pretty decent car.
Currently, the only way to mass distribution of a vehicle is to attract public attention to environmental degradation. However, the constantly rising fuel price is potentially capable of forcing the population to switch to the use of such vehicles.
Control
To make the Segway move, it is enough for the user to tilt the body forward. Moreover, the more a person’s mass is shifted in the frontal direction, the faster such a transport goes.
For braking it is necessary to lean slightly back. In this case, the Segway will begin to rapidly lose speed, up to a complete stop. To make turns here helps the steering column, which must be slightly moved in the right direction.
Characteristics
As practice shows, the Segway is a lightweight, compact transport that can reach speeds of about 20 km / h. The bulk of the models is equipped with an electronic limiter. Therefore, exceeding the specified speed indicator in most cases is not possible.
The weight of a standard segway is not more than 45 kg. At the same time, the device is able to withstand loads on the platform of more than 130 kg.
Thanks to a powerful electric motor, the Segway provides a smooth ride both on the paved surface and on unpaved surfaces. With one full battery charge, the vehicle can travel about 40 km. However, resorting to the individual configuration of the device, this limit can be significantly expanded.
Benefits
What are the advantages of a segway? This is, first of all:
- sufficiently high speed of movement;
- absolute noiselessness;
- no need for refueling (only recharging the battery);
- ecological cleanliness;
- simple, intuitive controls;
- compactness (the dimensions of a standard segway are not larger than the area occupied by a pedestrian while moving along the street);
- the ability to quickly move around the city, office, home, together with heavy loads that are difficult to transport manually in the same conditions.
Finally
From year to year, segways are in increasing demand among domestic consumers. Entertainment services offer whole city tours on such outlandish vehicles. Most often, segways can be seen in parks. Here, users can access both individual and group walks, the possibility of renting two-wheeled vehicles by the day, etc.