Whenever I'm stuck in traffic I tend to come up with ways to solve it. So far I have only two solutions which can actually completely eliminate the problem: rented small cars (preferably electric), and AI drivers. Having them together would be bliss.<p>And the second one isn't even as science fiction as is sounds. You can cheat in any way you want, as long as you get the job done. You can tell the AI the map of the city, down to traffic signs. Keep the AI in one place and drive remotely. Put cams all over the city (or better above the city), with cars' roofs painted with barcodes. Hell, you can probably simply drive remotely and it'd be enough of a killer app.
As always, cost matters.<p>If you're trying to get folks into a part-time vehicle to save gas, that vehicle must cost under $3k. It is unlikely to be a big success if it costs more than $1,500.
I kinda like it. It seems to solve the Segway's chief problems: 1) standing and looking like and ass and 2) getting rained on.<p>Plus, side-by-side seating is a win compared to front-and-back.
Is there any reason why one would prefer this over a bicycle? I personally don't see how this is any improvement over a bicycle, except possibly for those with disabilities.
With their combined R&D budgets I am still waiting for an autonomous vehicle. This to me is an unnecessary incremental improvement on current vehicles. When I can sit in a vehicle and not drive, that I'd pay anything for. The darpa grandchallenge seemed to prove it's possible today, different companies are coming at it from different angles (irobot, autonomous warehouse robots).
i find the small wheels on the back disconcerting. presumably they're still working out some bugs keeping it upright, which is understandable as this is clearly a prototype, but the implications there are still troubling. It's too big to work on the sidewalks but it's hard to imagine trusting their stability controls on a crowded road full of other traffic.<p>Reminds me of the Dymaxion:<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymaxion_car" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dymaxion_car</a><p><a href="http://images.google.com/images?q=dymaxion+car" rel="nofollow">http://images.google.com/images?q=dymaxion+car</a>
For a company that's extremely close to bankruptcy I was expecting something a bit more exciting and well, reasonable.<p>I think Segway only selling 2,000 units in the UK since 2002 isn't very good news either.
Wouldn't this be a better bet..<p><a href="http://revengeoftheelectriccar.com/bring-back-the-ev1-press-conference/" rel="nofollow">http://revengeoftheelectriccar.com/bring-back-the-ev1-press-...</a>
Honestly, I don't see anyone driving this thing. It doesn't make you look any less silly than a Segway.<p>If anything, this makes me wish we'd stop throwing money down the drain that is GM.
Comparing to my bicycle what I'm using daily all year long this is just a fancy overkill. Good luck but the original Segway even had a style unlike this.
The Toyota iReal looks like a better option with superb design.<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nmsi/3025451321/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/nmsi/3025451321/</a>