I strongly suspect that a new phenomenon is about to hit Britain. The Segway PT is a personal transporter, and is a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name Segway comes from the Italian and Portuguese word meaning "follows". PT stands for personal transporter.
Computers and motors in the base of the device keep the Segway PT upright when powered on with balancing enabled. Users lean forward to go forward, lean back to go backward, and turn by using a "Lean Steer" handlebar, leaning it left or right. Segway PT's (pictured) are driven by electric motors at up to 12.5 miles per hour (20.1 km/h). Gyroscopic sensors are used to detect tilting of the device which indicates a departure from perfect balance. Motors driving the wheels are commanded as needed to bring the PT back into balance.
The Segway was first unveiled in 2001, following months of very public speculation, and first produced in 2002.
The limited capabilities compared to vehicles of similar price have limited Segway market penetration by the general population. Segway have had success in niche markets such as transportation for police departments, military bases, warehouses, corporate campuses or industrial sites. The legal road worthiness of the Segway varies with different jurisdictions' classification of the device as a motor vehicle. I shall be surprised if the Segway is not the next big thing to sweep the country. Perhaps the current cycle lanes will become Segway lanes.
