Segway PT

The Segway PT is a two-wheeled self-balancing battery-powered electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name Segway is a homophone of the word segue, meaning smooth transition. PT is an abbreviation for personal transporter. Computers and motors in the base of the device keep the Segway PT upright when powered on with balancing enabled. A user commands the Segway to go forward by shifting their weight forward on the platform, and backward by shifting their weight backward. The Segway detects, as it balances, the change in its center of mass, and first establishes and then maintains a corresponding speed, forward or backward. Gyroscopic sensorsand fluid-based leveling sensors detect the weight shift. To turn, the user presses the handlebar to the left or the right. Segway PTs are driven by electric motors and can go up to 12.5 miles per hour (20.1 km/h).

Early history and pre-release marketing

The Segway PT was known by the names Ginger and IT before it was unveiled. Ginger came out of the first product that used Kamen's balancing technology, the iBOT wheelchair. During development at the University of Plymouth, in conjunction with BAE Systems and Sumitomo Precision Products, the iBot was nicknamed Fred Upstairs (after Fred Astaire) because it can climb stairs: hence the name Ginger, after Astaire's regular film partner, Ginger Rogers, for a successor product. The invention, development, and financing of the Segway was the subject of a narrative nonfiction book, Code Name Ginger (in paperback as Reinventing the Wheel), by journalist Steve Kemper. The leak of information from that book led to rampant speculation about the "IT" device prior to release. The speculation created an unexpected advance buzz about the product that was, at times, hyperbolic. Steve Jobs was quoted as saying that, it was "as big a deal as the PC",[1] though later sources quoted him as saying when first introduced to the product that its design "sucked".[2] John Doerr speculated that it would be more important than the Internet.[1]Articles were written in major publications speculating on it being a Stirling engine. [3] South Park devoted anepisode to making fun of the hype before the product was released. The product was unveiled 3 December 2001, in Bryant Park, the privately managed public park located in theNew York City borough of Manhattan, on the ABC News morning program Good Morning America.[4] The dynamics of the Segway PT are similar to a classic control problem, the inverted pendulum. The Segway PT (PT is an initialism for personal transporter while the old suffix HT was an initialism for human transporter) haselectric motors powered by Valence Technology phosphatebased lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged from household current. It balances with the help of dual computers that run proprietary software, two tilt sensors, and five gyroscopic

sensors developed by BAE Systems' Advanced Technology Centre.[5] The servo drive motors rotate the wheels forwards or backwards as needed for balance or propulsion. The rider controls forward and backward movement by leaning the Segway relative to the combined center of mass of the rider and Segway, by holding the control bar closer to or farther from their body. The Segway detects the change in the balance point, and adjusts the speed at which it is balancing the rider accordingly. On older models, steering is controlled by a twist grip on the left handlebar, which simply varies the speeds between the two motors, rotating the Segway PT (a decrease in the speed of the left wheel would turn the Segway PT to the left). Newer models enable the use of tilting the handle bar to steer.[6]

Uses
Segways perform best in areas with adequate sidewalks, curb cuts at intersections, and ramps. They are used in some theme parks by visitors and employees. Angel Island State Park, in San Francisco Bay in California, offers Segway tours, but prohibits personal Segways except as needed by disabled visitors.[7] The special police forces trained to protect the public during the 2008 Summer Olympics used the Segway for mobility.[8] Though a Segway-focused organization, Disability Rights Advocates for Technology,[9] advocates for Segway PT sidewalk and facility access as an ADA issue, Segways cannot be marketed in the US as medical devices: they have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a medical device and Johnson & Johnson claims exclusive rights to the medical uses of the balancing technology found in the iBOT and Segway.[citation needed]Dean Kamen sold the medical rights to the technology of the iBOT, a very stable and mobile powered wheelchair, to Johnson & Johnson.[10] A version of the Segway i2 is being marketed to the Emergency Medical Services community. Equipped with light bars and a variety of hard and soft cases, it is sealed against wet conditions, and rated for 24 miles (39 kilometres) per charge.[11]
Dynamic Stabilization Dean Kamen's team developed a breakthrough technology the company termed "Dynamic Stabilization," which is the essence of the Segway. Dynamic Stabilization enables Segway selfbalancing emulation to work seamlessly with the body's movements. Gyroscopes and tilt sensors in the Segway HT monitor a user's center of gravity about 100 times a second. When a person leans slightly forward, the Segway HT moves forward. When leaning back, the Segway moves back. One battery charge (cost of ten cents) lasts 15 miles and the 65-pound Segway HT can run over your toes without causing you harm. The United States Postal Service, the National Park Service and the City of Atlanta field tested the invention. The consumer was able to buy the Segway in the year 2003 at the initial cost of $3,000. Segway produced three distinct initial models: the i-series, the e-series, and the p-series. However, in 2006 Segway discontinued all previous models and announced their second-

generation designs; i2 and x2, that also allowed users to steer by leaning the handlebars to the right or left, which matched the leaning forward and backward to accelerate and decelerate.

The Unveiling When Dean Kamen unveiled the Segway Personal Transporter (PT) on ABC's Good Morning America, he described the machine as "the world's first self-balancing human transporter." When you look at the machine in motion, you get an idea of what he's talking about. Unlike a car, the Segway PT only has two wheels, yet it manages to balance on its own. How it Works The Segway PT senses the lean of the rider with the assistance of five micro-machined angular rate sensors and two accelerometers that sense the angle of the PT, with respect to gravity, at 100 times per second. It balances the rider by applying forces to the ground in the direction of the lean. If you lean forward the PT applies motor torque to the wheel to push it forward, bring you upright and balance you. When you lean back, it applies reverse torque to slow you down and balance you accordingly. You get the sense of power and speed, yet you also feel a sense of control. It all feels natural, intelligent and safe. What it Can Do The Segway PT can take you places that a car or bicycle can't - including inside many stores, office buildings, businesses, airports, elevators and trains. Although they're ideal for short jaunts, Segway PTs can travel as far as 24 miles/38 km on a single battery charge, depending on terrain, payload and riding style. It's ahead of its time Like any invention that's ahead of its time, the Segway PT is often misunderstood. The gleeful smiles of Segway PT riders may have created an impression that it is ...well...a toy. But make no mistake. While a Segway PT is incredibly fun to ride, it is serious transportation designed for today's world.

Segway - designed to enjoy

While designing the mechanism of the direction changes (possible thanks to the movements of the joystick to the left or right), the makers used the natural propensity of the human body to bend into the direction, where a person intends to go in a given moment. That is why driving Segway is mostly based on intuition. Being a vehicle of the second generation Segway X2 is equipped with modern steering system designed according to LeanSteer. Thanks to the cordless controller InfoKey you can trace without delay several parameters like speed, distance or the battery level. InfoKeyalso allows to activate the alarm. Wheels of the cross-country model X2 have been designed to ensure the comfortable and safe drive on various surfaces (uneven areas, gravel, grass, sand). Special software modifications together with a dynamic stabilization, wider tires and higher placement of the platform result in the comfort of driving along furrows, stones and even smaller hills. Two lithium-ion batteries of Segway X2 are based on SaphionR technology. They allow to drive for as long as 19 km. Of course the maximum distance without recharging the batteries depends on various factors, like driver's weight, driving style, landscape, even the weather conditions. Characteristics of this model are also scratch-proof bumpers and Cargo system mounting. Placing Segway X2 into the car is enabled by specially constructed steel grips. So, if you are willing to a breathtaking drive, we can provide you with a good adrenalin boost. Technical specification of Segway PT X2 Speed : 20 km/h Load capacity : 118 kg Size : 67 x 84 cm Weight : 54,4 kg Engines : 1,88 KW/2,5 HP Wheels : 10-inch black aluminum Tires : 21-inch Height of the platform : 4,131 cm Clearance under platform : 11,43 cm LCD : cordless controller InfoKey 19 km cross-country / 28 km road Max. distance on one batteries (depends on landscape and driver's cycle : weight) Time to charge the batteries : 6 ~ 8 hours