Is the Segway the way to go?
Crippled Monkey remains continually surprised by the little titbits of information you can discover whilst idly browsing round the net.
For instance, anyone remember the Launched in 2002, the motorised, two-wheeled upright scooter was hyped as the revolutionary future of personal transportation, in much the same way as the doomed Sinclair C5 had been nearly two decades earlier. Unfortunately, the Segway's biggest claim to fame only came when President George W. Bush managed to one. We didn't laugh, honest.
But does the Segway have a role as personal transportation for disabled people with certain mobility difficulties? It wouldn't be so far-fetched, considering that Dean Kamen, the inventor of this scooter, developed it out of his earlier creation of the powered wheelchair. As the entry on the Segway explains, "an increasing number of disabled people use Segways to enhance their limited mobility. Among these users are people with multiple sclerosis or arthritis, COPD and even amputees, in particular a growing group of war veterans". They also point out that the Segway can be much cheaper than many powerchairs, and allows disabled people "to easily travel around the city, while easing social interactions". (Mind you, this monkey is a cynic, and wonders whether it's more a case that this is because the city is lacking in accessibility for wheelchairs, and because the non-disabled people are lacking in their skills at socially interacting with us.)
More recently, the in Canada has been conducting research into use of the Segway by disabled people. In one of their tests, a person with no muscle function or sensation below the chest managed to use one of the scooters safely, and has now bought one to go hiking with his family. Apparently, "people don't even know he's disabled when he's riding by on the Segway". Hmm. So that's okay, then. Ahem.
I haven't seen many Segways zipping round the streets of west London, though, ridden either by disabled or non-disabled people. But then these scooters have never really taken off in the UK. However, are there any UK or Canadian Ouch readers out there who have seen or personally experienced the benefits of the Segway? Tell us in the comments.
Meanwhile, I remain to be convinced. I'm going to stick to the low floor accessible bus, if it's all the same to you.
Comments
I've used Segway Personal Transporters in the UK for the last 2.5 years. I'm now on my third machine and have recently launched a campaign to help legalise them in the UK. They've not taken off over here in a big way for consumers, as under British law, they can only be used on private property with the owners permission. However, with petrol prices so high, congestion a real problem almost everywhere and pollution and green issues moving to the forefront of all political parties, I'm sure things will change. Most of the US and 8 other European countries allow their use. And they're great fun. I'm able bodied but recognise they have some use for people with certain disabilities. One guy I met had Parkinsons and the Segway allowed him to move about as an equal in terms of his mobility - truly remarkable. Segway INC, however, do not tout the machine as a medical device. All rights for medical applications were bought by J&J and their iBOT. As for the C5, that came and went in about 1 year back in 1985. Segway have been around since 2001. They're in it for the long-haul, and I plan on gliding as long as I possibly can! Changing the world takes time.
I'd never seen nor heard of a Segway. Then, just last week whilst hobbling my weary way over the Charles Bridge in Prague, suddenly heads turned and jaws dropped. This wonderful machine whizzed by. It had only two wheels, yet had no trouble balancing, nor did it have trouble zig-zagging through the multitude of sightseers on the bridge. I was so agape that I didn't even have the presence of mind to shoot a picture of it. But there it was, doing exactly what us arthritic hip grinders have always wanted to do - simply glide along. Back home in GB later, it took many hours of Googling to track it down. Well, if you gon't know what to call it, what do you search for? So it's a Segway! It's not legal in GB, nor is it affordable in GB. If there's a hope for it ever being legalised and manufactured under license in GB, thus lowering the cost, then whoopee! Meanwhile, anyone know how I can get my Heelies motorised?
Ah, yes, the Segway - it always seemed somehow embarrassing in design, sort of like grownups on a kids scooter. However I know they are big elsewhere in Europe: I was minding my own business having a business lunch with a customer in Barcelona, when all of a sudden a flock of these hilarious creatures whirred by.. apparently they are massive in Spain for tourists, with a few minutes driving lesson before they start off: I've got to say the people looked really comfortable, (but not Cool!), they weren't overheated although it was a boiling hot day, and the ride would clearly be very comfy. How they managed to take pictures though, I'm not sure. But interestingly, one 'rider' had a broken leg and clearly would have problems walking any distance, so the use for disabled people seems logical. Bring them to Oxford Street in London - we'll be taking pics of the tourists on 'em, not the other way round!!
My wife and I have just returned from a great weekend in Rome where we did a 3hr Segway tour which was amazing. I cannot understand why these forms of transport are not fully legal here in the UK - this seems very small minded and should be appealed against. These units are an amazing form of transport and I was surprised how intuitive they are to use after only 5-10 mins of orientation