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