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A really good book about this is "Code Name Ginger" which is not the blind glorification that such books can be.

https://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Ginger-Behind-Segway/dp/157...

I highly recommend the book Code Name Ginger, which is the remarkable story behind the Segway.

http://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Ginger-Behind-Segway/dp/1578...

⬐ codex

What's remarkable to me is the arrogance of Kamen, when to almost everyone it was clear that the Segway was a solution in search of a problem, and would ultimately fail.

⬐ seanmcdirmid

Sometimes you have to take a risk. The Segway could have panned out much more differently than it did, there was a chance that it could have succeeded big.

Also, most startups fail.

⬐ PanMan

How could the Segway panned out differently? (Serious question). I was quite exited to see it at first, but realistically it doesn't have many advantages over a bicycle, and a lot of disadvantages (biggest one is price).

⬐ pjmlp

It gets used a lot in Europe for tourist group rounds around the cities. :)

⬐ dsabanin

Also in Philly.

⬐ JanezStupar

I'm an European and I didn't see a Segway in person until I visited Florida. There I saw loads of security personnel riding Segways.

And they looked so incredibly dorky with their plump bodies and tucked in shirts.

⬐ pjmlp

I already seen Segways routes in Düsseldorf, London, Athens, Nice, Frankfurt Airport.

⬐ seanmcdirmid

It would have depended on adoption and some open creative thinking. The product is very cool, I'm glad they took a risk on this and there will be a nice payoff for society of not them directly.

Has anyone seen the cheap Chinese segway that works strictly at the shoe level? They loon very cool, but I'm too afraid to try it. Haven't seen them in use outside of china yet. Imagine seeing someone standing on a roomba going really fast.

The Segway was actually pretty complex -- definitely not just a spin-off. (Though I agree the iBot is awesome.)

If you want to learn the full story, I recommend the book Code Name Ginger. http://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Ginger-Behind-Segway/dp/1578...