Ginger/IT is a damp squib.

[Asher]

Originally posted by orange
Did you read the article It answers this question.

I skimmed it, why don't you enlighten me?

It has a built in security system, and you can put it anywhere...where can you put a bicycle or a car?

Everything has a security system. But because the system is the same across all of the Segways, a hacker could have a field day stealing everyone's and selling them on eBay to people who think it's the coolest thing ever.

And I don't know where I'd put my bicycle or a car, I take the LRT. Parking is outrageously expensive downtown, and there's no real place for bikes.

Yeah...right...
I think the only unrealistic thing is your claim above

How do you think that's unrealistic?
People zig-zag, cut you off, stop to tie their shoe, do everything annoying possible. And you're going twice the speed of walking on a little scooter thing, you don't see that as a potential problem?

[Victor Galis]

London and New York have functional mass transit systems and wouldn't need something like this. IT works great in smaller cities.

[Zylka]

Useless piece of kitsch trash, although it's a great tool for the physically inept. Basically an upgrade of an electric wheelchair, a market its design concepts would actually improve

Seriously, a bike will do all of this and more with little physical effort. Not criticizing the technology of this machine, just its over-hyped functionality. It's usefull for a small demographic, otherwise you're a lazy yuppy bound for obesity and more troubles than a casual bike ride - have fun!

Asher points out the reality of pedestrian problems being furthered into this mode of travel as well; if pedestrian congestion is one problem you're trying to improve, this will not do it. Why not build a plus 15 walkway system as Calgary, Montreal, et all have? Calgary has one of the top per capita down town densities in N.A., yet it's always sparse on the sidewalks. Kudos to common sense planning.

Cheers

[Asher]

Originally posted by Zylka
Asher points out the reality of pedestrian problems being furthered into this mode of travel as well. If pedestrian congestion is one problem you're trying to solve, just build a plus 15 walkway system as Calgary did. Calgary has one of the top per capita down town densities in N.A., yet it's always sparse on the sidewalks. Kudos to common sense planning.

The most important feature of the +15 system is that you can go from skyscraper to skyscraper without ever having to step outside into the cold.

We've got the advantage of being a really modern city, so we've got some good infrastructure like the +15 systems and LRTs. Many cities aren't as fortunate.

But I don't think this little device is the answer for most people.

[Zylka]

Originally posted by Asher

The most important feature of the +15 system is that you can go from skyscraper to skyscraper without ever having to step outside into the cold.

Most definitely, for Calgary - it's effin cold walking downtown in winter with two-fold windchill from the skyscrapers. In a place like New York, the most important factor would be to relieve pedestrian congestion. Not that it's much of an issue, but most cities will eventually go the way of the plus 15 for their own reasons

[Urban Ranger]

Lets see. It has an electric motor, which isn't all that efficient than the ones you find in electric cars. It has a novel but impractical steering system - a thumb controlled joystick similar to the ones you find on remote control boxes works better. It costs a huge bundle.

Nah, I'll pass.

[Thue]

It sounds like a bicycle is superiour to this thing: Cheaper and doesn't need power.

[Roland]

Re: Ginger/IT is a damp squib.

Originally posted by Kautilya
Oh well. At least we will get a few Roland cracks about the American genius for self-promoting hype.

Actually, no. Given the usual substance-to-hype ratio, this one exceeds my expectations. Not really for the mass market, but for some special business uses, and an interesting base for further development.

Now uncle Al's productivity miracle crappola or Enron-the-future-of-energy, that's HYPE...

[Kautilya]

Well judged on its own it's pretty decent. In comparison to the stratospheric build-up it's completely pathetic.

The killer , as mentioned here, is going to be the price. 3000 is way too much for this for the consumer market.

It's on TV right now btw on ABC for Americans.

[Roland]

"In comparison to the stratospheric build-up it's completely pathetic."

Yes, but it's still below average hype.

[Q Classic]

if people in atlanta or sunbelt cities would buy it, it would be spectacular... maybe a little less traffic. of course, that would also mean that those cities would then have to build sidewalks, but hey, it's a step by step thing.

and does it keep your balance for you? what if you get roaring drunk one night, totally plastered... how would it respond to you weaving and bobbing?

bad line: friends don't let friends ride Ginger while drunk.

as for the more developed northern cities, what with mass transit and all, i don't see the need for it, really, especially at prices like that. and, what's worse, usually the walkways are crowded enough at peak hours that riding one would be rather... difficult, what with the masses of people involved. i'm thinking of chicago's lovely magnificent mile right now, during peak hours... i mean, it does say the footprint is small... but also, you'll be trying to dodge a lot of other people, most of whom will be slower, so...

usd3k?

outrageous.

bad line: friends don't let friends buy Ginger while drunk. or sober, for that matter.

[Caligastia]

Whats wrong with walking?

[Zylka]

You have to move your legs and might become a healthy person!

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Asher


All it does is use gravity to pull you forward/backwards, no?

No. Otherwise it's a perpetual motion machine, a notion I have severe problems with. Leaning backwards and forwards simply activates a control mechanism.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Victor Galis
-At 8mph it's only 50% faster than me walking

8mph is at least twice as fast as you walking. Get on a treadmill and set it to 4 miles an hour and you'll see what I mean.