Segway and Frio County, Texas: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 03:45, 11 July 2007

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{{Infobox U.S. County|

[[Image:SegwayHT.jpg|frame|right|Inventor [[Dean Kamen]] demonstrates the Segway HT at the [[United States Department of Commerce|U.S. Department of Commerce]] on [[February 14]] [[2002]].]]

county = Frio County|

state = Texas |

seal = |

map = Map of Texas highlighting Frio County.svg |

map size = 250|

founded = 1871|

seat = [[Pearsall, Texas|Pearsall]] |

area = 2,938 [[square kilometre|km²]] (1,134 [[square mile|mi²]]) |

area land = 2,935 km² (1,133 mi²) |

area water = 3 km² (1 mi²) |

area percentage = 0.11% |

census yr = 2000|

pop = 16,252|

density = 6|

web = |

|}}

'''Frio County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]]. As of [[2000]], the population is 16,252. Its [[county seat]] is [[Pearsall, Texas|Pearsall]][[Geographic references|⁶]]. Frio County is named for the [[Frio River]].

The '''Segway HT''' (Segway Human Transporter, Segway) is a self-balancing motorized [[scooter]] with two wheels on a single axle, invented by [[Dean Kamen]] and unveiled in December [[2001]].

== History Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 2,938 [[km²]] (1,134 [[square mile|mi²]]). 2,935 km² (1,133 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.11%) is water.

Prior to its demonstration on [[December 3]], [[2001]], various reports and rumours of a revolutionary invention could be found in the media, but no details were available. Initial reception was enthusiastic; Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]] suggested that cities will be built around this new method of transportation, venture capitalist [[John Doerr]] predicted $1 billion in sales faster than after any other product launch. To coped with the expected demand, the factory in [[Bedford, New Hampshire]] was designed to build up to 40 thousand units per month.

===Major Highways===

Shortly after the demonstration three Segways were sold on auctions at Amazon.com for more than 100,000 dollars each. After several months Amazon and then the official site started regular sales.

*[[Image:I-35.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 35]]

*[[Image:US 57.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 57]]

*[[Image:Texas 85.svg|20px]] [[State Highway 85 (Texas)]]

*[[State Highway 173 (Texas)]]

===Adjacent counties===

The company had expected to sell 50-100 thousand units in the first year, but after 21 months only 6000 units had been sold. The figure was revealed during the voluntary recall of all Segways in September 2003; a software glitch had caused some riders to fall off their Segways under low battery conditions.

*[[Medina County, Texas|Medina County]] (north)

*[[Atascosa County, Texas|Atascosa County]] (east)

*[[La Salle County, Texas|La Salle County]] (south)

*[[Dimmit County, Texas|Dimmit County]] (southwest)

*[[Zavala County, Texas|Zavala County]] (west)

==Demographics==

[[As of 2004]], the company is struggling to repay the investments in [[Research and Development|R&D]] and production (the factory alone was estimated to cost more than 100 million dollars). Although most publications are currently sceptical in tone, it can be speculated that the Segway will still be a commercial success once the investment is written off (similar to how it happened with [[Iridium (satellite)|Iridium]]). It is also worth noting that by its nature the idea was approached by the investors as high-risk, high-return venture project.

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 16,252 people, 4,743 households, and 3,642 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 6/km² (14/mi²). There were 5,660 housing units at an average density of 2/km² (5/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.86% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 4.87% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.41% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 19.76% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.50% from two or more races. 73.76% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 4,743 households out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.20% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.44.

The unit's high price is most likely one of the factors responsible for the underwhelming demand. Another factor is the revolutionary nature of the product - potential customers are unfamiliar with the product and unaware of the potential benefits. To combat this problem Segway LLC had opened dealerships throughout the United States where people can check out and test-drive the Segways.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.70% under the age of 18, 11.20% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 121.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 130.20 males.

By autumn 2004 Segway has signed distribution agreements in some foreign markets, including Italy and South Korea. It has created a separate international division. The company has received positive feedback from regulators in France and Italy regarding the legal status of Segway riders.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,504, and the median income for a family was $26,578. Males had a median income of $23,810 versus $16,498 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,069. About 24.50% of families and 29.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 36.20% of those under age 18 and 30.40% of those age 65 or over.

Segway is well-suited for denser and more populated cities, such as in Europe and Asia. American suburbs and many modern cities (such as [[Los-Angeles]]) were designed to be navigated by cars only. Shorter distances between work, home and shopping areas make getting around on Segways more possible. It remains to be seen, however, if Segways will be more successful in these markets.

==Cities Usesand towns==

*[[Bigfoot, Texas|Bigfoot]]

The scooter is designed to be used on [[sidewalk]]s and other [[pedestrian]] areas, hence its footprint is not much bigger than that of a human being.

*[[Dilley, Texas|Dilley]]

While using Segways on sidewalks is prohibited in some American and European cities, in most locations its use is allowed, in some places explicitly.

*[[Hilltop, Texas|Hilltop]]

*[[Moore, Texas|Moore]]

*[[North Pearsall, Texas|North Pearsall]]

*[[Pearsall, Texas|Pearsall]]

*[[West Pearsall, Texas|West Pearsall]]

==See also==

If the distance to travel is small, a Segway can be used for personal transportation between home and office, for getting around the city center, shopping, outdoor trips, etc. It is already used in some theme parks by both visitors and employees. One company organises guided group tours on Segways in France and the USA.

*[[Winter Garden Region]]

==External links==

Several organisations have ran pilot tests on Segway business use, among them police departments, post offices and utility companies. They have demonstrated that Segways can often significantly reduce cost and quickly repay the investment.

* {{Handbook of Texas|id=FF/hcf10|name=Frio County}}

* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Frio+County%22&t=dc.coverage Historic Frio County materials], hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History.]

{{Texas}}

Although inspired by the [[iBOT]] wheelchair, the Segway was intended to be used primarily by healthy users. Still, there are many disabled people (400-600 people, according to a group called [[Disability Rights Advocates for Technology]]) who use Segways to enhance their limited mobility. Among the disabled users are people with multiple sclerosis or arthritis, and even amputees. Using a Segway instead of a traditional wheelchair or a pricy iBOT (that costs 4-5 times as much as a Segway) allows them to easily travel around the city, while easying the social interactions. However, Segway can't be marketed as a medical device, because Johnson & Johnson has exclusive rights to the medical uses of the iBOT/Segway technology and because Segways was not approved by the [[FDA]].

{{coord|28.86|-99.11|display=title|type:adm2_region:US-TX_source:UScensus1990}}

Most of the Segway technology is concentrated in its base with the handle being only useful for the human rider. Stripped of the handle Segway becomes a universal robotic platform that is still capable of balancing whatever is installed and of moving around as easily as with a human. The Segway robotic platform is widely used by robotics developers in universities and private companies. In December 2003, the [[Associated Press]] reported that [[The Pentagon]] had purchased several Segways, as part of a research program called ''Mobile Autonomous Robot Software'', an attempt to develop more advanced [[military robot]]s. There have also been some rumours about a batch of sturdier Segways used by soldiers in a pilot exercise.

In [[October]] [[2004]] the company has released a prototype model of a 4-wheel [[ATV]] capable of driving on 2 wheels called [[Centaur]].

== Technology ==

The Segway HT has [[electric motor]]s powered by [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]] which can be charged from household current. It balances with the help of internal [[computer]]s and [[gyroscope|gyroscopic sensors]]. (The gyroscopes do not affect the balance; they are merely used as sensors.) The motors rotate the wheels forwards or backwards as needed for balance or propulsion. The rider accelerates or decelerates by leaning forward or backwards in the direction she wishes to travel. Steering is controlled by a twist grip on the left handlebar. When standing, the Segway uses two small additional wheels for stabilization; these wheels retract during the ride.

== Models and Price ==

As of 2004 there are three series available:

* e-series with additional cargo capacity

* i-series - general-purpose, can be used on variable terrain

* p-series - for use on sidewalks, smaller with shorter battery life

The price of Segway is about 3000-5000 dollars, depending on the model.

The Segway HT's maximum speed is 12 mph (19 km/h). Maximum power is 2 [[horsepower]] (1500 [[watt]]). The p-series is capable of covering 6-10 miles (10-16 km) on a fully charged battery, depending on terrain. It takes 4-6 hours to recharge.

==Trivia==

The Segway HT has been known by the names ''Ginger'' and ''IT'' in the past.

The name "Segway" is a [[homonym|homophone]] of "[[segue]]" (a transition); ''HT'' is an [[initialism]] for ''human [[Transportation|transporter]]''.

The inspiration behind the Segway came from the balancing technology of Kamen's innovative [[wheelchair]], the [[IBOT]], which can climb stairs, and prop itself up onto two wheels, to raise the user into a nearly-upright position.

The invention and development of the Segway is the subject of <i>Code Name Ginger</i> (the paperback edition is entitled <i>Reinventing the Wheel</i>), a book by journalist Steve Kemper.

The Segway HT resembles the motorized, gyroscopically stabilized unicycles in the [[science fiction]] [[short story]] by [[Robert A. Heinlein]] entitled "[[The Roads Must Roll]]."

An alternative power source currently being explored by Kamen's company is the use of a [[Stirling engine]] to power the Segway. Stirling engines use hot and cold in a phased rhythm to move a piston by gas expansion. Stirling engines could not "run themselves", as an external heat source must be provided somehow. The [[Peltier effect]] might be used. Stirling engines do have zero angular momentum and reduced vibration and are thus well suited for two-wheeled vehicles.

==See also==

*[[Segue]]: Smooth transition

==External links==

* [http://www.segway.com/ Segway HT] -- official site

* [http://www.segamerica.org/ SEG America] -- National Enthusiast Group

* [http://www.segwaychat.com/ Segway Chat]

* [http://www.segwayboston.org SegwayBoston.org] -- Boston Area Segway Group

* [http://www.dekaresearch.com/ibot.html DEKA Research & Development Corporation's IBOT]

* [http://recalls.justia.com/cpsc-content-03-03553.html Recalls:Segway LLC ]

* [http://tlb.org/scooter.html Make your own Segway for less than half the cost.]

[[Category:TransportationTexas counties]]

[[Category:Frio County, Texas| ]]

[[Category:United States counties with Hispanic majority populations]]

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[[pt:Condado de Frio]]

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