Every Last Segway Recalled

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BRodda The Feature Creep Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 990	Every Last Segway Recalled 09/14/2006 11:27 AM
	Due to a software glitch Segway Inc. is recalling all 23,500, every single one ever sold. The glitch causes the wheels to reverse direction and dump their users. In some cases it caused the user facial damage. Reminds me of Fight Club where Norton's character talks about how much damage has to be caused for the recall of a car. Here is a link to the story on MSN. __________________ "The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet." -William Gibson
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mgaulin The Architect Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: GlobalSpec, Troy NY Posts: 386 Good Answers: 5	#1 Some deteails... 09/14/2006 9:44 PM
	According to the article, six people where hurt by the problem, so it's pretty rare. "The scooter's speed is determined by how far forward users lean, and if the riders lean too far forward, a "speed limiter" pushes them back to keep the device at its maximum speed of 12.5 mph. The problem happens after the speed limiter tilts back, then the rider steps off the device and gets back on it quickly." On a lighter note... "The most famous tumble from a Segway came in 2003, when President Bush tried one out at his family's estate in Maine. The device went down on his first attempt to ride it, but Bush stayed on his feet with an awkward hop over the scooter. However, that incident had a different cause: Bush had not turned on the Segway." __________________ Mark Gaulin
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wilyecoyote Active Contributor Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22	#2 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 8:24 AM
	You'd think the thing would have a port in it where you can download software fixes and updates off Kaman's site right into the machine.
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BRodda The Feature Creep Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 990	#3 In reply to #2 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 8:45 AM
	I think that they would be worried about people hacking the firmware. From the sounds of things there is a proprietary port or something that only authorized repair centers have that will upload the new software. Still not sure what I'd hack a Segway to do though. __________________ "The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet." -William Gibson
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stilljester Power-User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 339	#4 In reply to #3 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 8:54 AM
	Its an auto balancing robot with a great range and speed. Interface it with GPS and what couldn't you have it do. .
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mgaulin The Architect Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: GlobalSpec, Troy NY Posts: 386 Good Answers: 5	#5 In reply to #4 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 9:23 AM
	Apparently they do sell a version as a robitics platform; that product was not affected by the recall. __________________ Mark Gaulin
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BRodda The Feature Creep Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 990	#6 In reply to #4 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 9:55 AM
	Go up stairs? __________________ "The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet." -William Gibson
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stilljester Power-User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 339	#7 In reply to #6 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 10:01 AM
	Good thing the Americana with Disabilities act requires there be a ramp or elevator in public space. If a wheelchair and do it, I'd say a Segway could as well. I do agree stairs would be tough
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BRodda The Feature Creep Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 990	#8 In reply to #7 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 09/15/2006 10:31 AM
	So the Americans with Disabilities Act is just a front for the evil robot federation intent on making sure that all public buildings are prepared for their machine masters? I KNEW IT!!!! __________________ "The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet." -William Gibson
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sidevalveguru Power-User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Capital City, Cow Hampshire, USA Posts: 476 Good Answers: 3	#11 In reply to #7 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 01/20/2007 9:27 AM
	The wheelchair upon which the Segway is based can do stairs. I b'lieve that Segway is an attempt to incorporate economy-of-scale to benefit said wheelchair. __________________ If you always do what you've always done, You'll always get what you've always had!
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duffdr Commentator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roscoe IL Posts: 69	#9 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 11/21/2006 8:52 AM
	YOU WILL OBEYYY THE WILLL OF THE DAAAALLLEEEKKKSS!!!!!!! __________________ God's greatest gift is the ability to learn.... and the worst curse is the ability to rationalize our behaviour
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Anonymous Poster	#10 In reply to #9 Re: Every Last Segway Recalled 11/23/2006 12:12 PM
	Here's a pic of the true origin of the Daleks (before full exoskeletons were used)
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Anonymous Poster (1); BRodda (3); duffdr (1); mgaulin (2); sidevalveguru (1); stilljester (2); wilyecoyote (1)

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