View source for Segway

{{short description|Two-wheeled, self-balancing personal vehicle}}
{{about|the vehicle|the company|Segway Inc.|the word referring to a transition|Segue}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox product
|title = Segway PT
|image = Black x2 and white i2.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption = Segway x2 and i2
|type = [[Personal transporter]]
|inventor = [[Dean Kamen]]
|inception = {{start_date|2001}}
|manufacturer = [[Segway Inc.]]
|models = i2 SE, x SE, miniPro, robot
}}

A '''Segway''' is a [[Dicycle (vehicle)|two-wheeled]], self-balancing [[personal transporter]] device invented by [[Dean Kamen]]. The name is a registered trademark of [[Segway Inc.|Segway Inc]]. It was brought to market in 2001 as the '''Segway HT''', and then subsequently as the '''Segway PT.''' ''HT'' is an initialism for "human transporter" and ''PT'' for "personal transporter."

Ninebot, a [[Beijing]]-based transportation [[robotics]] startup rival, acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, broadening the company to include other transportation devices. In June 2020, it was announced that it would no longer make the Segway PT.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Mark|date=2020-06-23|title=Segway, the most hyped invention since the Macintosh, ends production|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90517971/exclusive-segway-the-most-hyped-invention-since-the-macintosh-to-end-production|access-date=2020-06-24|website=Fast Company|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-23|title=Segways scrapped after two decades of high-profile falls|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-24/segway-ends-production-of-vehicle-falls/12386530|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU}}</ref>

==History==
===Independent company===
The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancing [[iBOT]] wheelchair which was initially developed at [[University of Plymouth]], in conjunction with [[BAE Systems]] and [[Sumitomo Precision Products]].<ref name=Ginger>{{cite book|last1=Kemper|first1=Steve|title=Code name Ginger : the story behind segway and Dean Kamen's quest to invent a new world|date=2003|publisher=Harvard Business School Press|location=Boston, Mass.|isbn=978-1578516735|page=27|access-date=23 June 2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BG7YLR8aWcC&q=fred+upstairs}}</ref> The first patent of human transporter was filed in 1994 and granted in 1997,<ref>{{US Patent|5701965|US patent 5,701,965 Human transporter}}</ref> followed by others,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf|title=Segway Patent Information|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721124219/http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.<ref>{{US Patent|6302230|US Patent 6,302,230 Personal mobility vehicles and methods}}</ref>

Prior to its introduction, a news report<ref>[http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20218 What Is 'IT'? Book Proposal Heightens Intrigue About Secret Invention Touted as Bigger Than the Internet or PC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010617162321/http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20218|date=17 June 2001}} Inside.com, January 2001</ref> about a proposal for a book about the invention, development, and financing of the Segway PT <ref>{{cite book|title=Reinventing the Wheel: A Story of Genius, Innovation, and Grand Ambition|isbn=1578516730|year=2003|first=Steve | last=Kemper|publisher=Harvard Business School Press }}</ref> led to speculation about the device and its importance. [[John Doerr]] speculated that it would be more important than the Internet.<ref name="time2001"/> ''[[South Park]]'' devoted [[The Entity (South Park)|an episode]] to making fun of the hype before the product was released. [[Steve Jobs]] was quoted as saying that it was "as big a deal as the PC",<ref name="time2001">{{cite magazine|date=2 December 2001|title=Reinventing the Wheel|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,186660,00.html|access-date=11 March 2009}}</ref> (he later expressed a negative opinion, saying that it "sucked", presumably referring to "the design" – but also referred to the (presumably high) price point, asking, "You're ''sure'' your market is upscale consumers for transportation?")<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3533.html | title=Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos meet "Ginger" | first=Steve | last=Kemper | publisher=Harvard Business School Working Knowledge | date=16 June 2003}}</ref> The device was unveiled on 3 December 2001, following months of public speculation,<ref name="speculation">{{cite episode |url=http://www.cc.com/events/month-of-zen/live.html |title=January 26, 2000 |series=[[The Daily Show]] |date=26 July 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702125349/http://www.cc.com/events/month-of-zen/live.html |archive-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> in [[Bryant Park]], [[New York City]], on the [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] morning program ''[[Good Morning America]]'',<ref name=Machrone>{{cite news |last=Machrone |first=Bill |url=http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,97229,00.asp |title=Ginger Unveiled-It's a Scooter! |newspaper=Extremetech |publisher=Extremetech.com |date=3 December 2001 |access-date=11 March 2009 |archive-date=24 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424051557/http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,97229,00.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/12/1203segway-unveiled |title=Wired.com retrospective |access-date=2009-04-12 | first=Dylan |last=Tweney}}</ref> with the first units delivered to customers in early 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/about-segway/segway-milestones.php |title=About Segway – Who We Are |publisher=Segway Milestones|access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318154531/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/segway-milestones.php |archive-date=18 March 2009}}</ref>

The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings: {{convert|6|mph}}, {{convert|8|mph}} with faster turning, and {{convert|10|mph}}.<ref name="Segway, Official Site"/> Steering of early versions was controlled using a [[twist grip]] that varied the speeds of the two motors. The range of the p-Series was {{convert|6|-|10|mi}} on a fully charged nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery with a recharge time of four to six hours. In September 2003, the Segway PT was recalled, because if users ignored repeated low-battery warnings on the PTs, it could ultimately lead them to fall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03553.html |title=Segway LLC Recall to Upgrade Software on Segway Human Transporters |publisher=Cpsc.gov |date=26 September 2003 |access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922233555/https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03553.html |archive-date=22 September 2008}}</ref>

In August 2006, Segway Inc. discontinued all previous models and introduced the i2 and x2 products, which were steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/model_i2.html |title=Segway i2 |publisher=Segway.com |access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107194400/http://segway.com/personal-transporter/model_i2.html |archive-date=7 January 2009}}</ref> had a maximum speed of {{convert|12.5|mph|abbr=on}} from a pair of {{convert|2|hp|spell=in|adj=on}} [[Brushless DC electric motor]]s with [[regenerative braking]] and a range of up to {{convert|15|-|25|mi|abbr=on}}, depending on terrain, riding style, and state of the batteries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segway.com/segway/lithium_ion.html |title=Enhanced range, courtesy of lithium-ion|access-date=29 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017090302/http://www.segway.com/segway/lithium_ion.html |archive-date=17 October 2006 }}</ref> Recharging took eight to ten hours. The i2 and x2 also introduced the wireless InfoKey which could show mileage and a trip odometer, and put the vehicle into security mode, which locked the wheels and set off an alarm if it was moved, and could also be used to turn on the PT from up to {{convert|15|ft}} away.<ref name="Segway, Official Site">{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/business/products-solutions/i2.php |title=Segway, Official Site |publisher=Segway.com |date=28 April 2011 |access-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027235058/http://www.segway.com/business/products-solutions/i2.php |archive-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessman [[Jimi Heselden]] from its U.S. inventor [[Dean Kamen]] in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into the [[River Wharfe]] while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39377851 |title=Segway company owner rides scooter off cliff, dies |quote=A British businessman, who bought the Segway company less than a year ago, died after riding one of the scooters off a cliff and into a river near his Yorkshire estate. |publisher=[[NBC News]] |accessdate=February 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-11465512|title=Inquest into Segway head's death|work=BBC News|date=4 October 2010|publisher=}}</ref>

[[File:Segway police Sweden.jpg|thumb|Police using a Segway in [[Stockholm]], Sweden]]
Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):<ref>{{Cite web|title=Segway PT Previous Model|publisher=Segway Inc.|url=http://www.segway.com/about-segway/previous-models.php|access-date=2011-07-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709140608/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/previous-models.php|archive-date=9 July 2011}}</ref>
* Segway i167 (2001 revealed, 2002 shipped)
* Segway e167:{{when|date=January 2019}} As i167, with addition of electric kickstand
* Segway p133:{{when|date=January 2019}} Smaller platform and wheels and less powerful motors than the i and e Series with top speed of {{convert|10|mph}} in the p-Series
* Segway i180:{{when|date=January 2019}} With lithium-ion batteries<ref>[http://www.segway.com/product-archive/model_i180.html The versatile Segway PT i180] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812141652/http://www.segway.com/product-archive/model_i180.html |date=12 August 2007 }}</ref>
* Segway XT:{{when|date=January 2019}} The first Segway designed specifically for recreation
* Segway i2 (2006): The first on-road Segway PT with LeanSteer
* Segway x2 (2006): The first off-road Segway PT with LeanSteer

In March 2014, Segway Inc. announced third generation designs, including the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, new LeanSteer frame and powerbase designs, with integrated lighting.<ref name=SELaunch>{{cite press release| url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/segway-launches-new-se-personal-transporters-pts-and-segsolution-accessory-packages-251918501.html|title=Segway Launches New SE Personal Transporters (PTs) And SegSolution Accessory Packages|publisher=Segway|date=24 March 2014|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

===Subsidiary of Ninebot===
Ninebot, a Beijing-based transportation robotics startup and a rival of Segway Inc., acquired Segway Inc. in April 2015, having raised $80M from [[Xiaomi]] and [[Sequoia Capital]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Catherine Shu|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/15/ninebot-segways-into-the-future/|title=Beijing-based Ninebot Acquires Segway, Raises $80M From Xiaomi And Sequoia|work=TechCrunch|date=15 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3822962/segway-ninebot-china/|title=Why This Chinese Startup Just Bought a Company Americans Love to Ridicule|magazine=Time|date=15 April 2015}}</ref> The acquisition came months after the [[United States International Trade Commission|U.S. International Trade Commission]] agreed to investigate Segway Inc.'s claim that Ninebot and other companies were infringing on its patents and copyrights.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=CTV News {{!}} Business News – Financial News Canada |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/china-s-ninebot-buys-personal-scooter-maker-segway-1.2327954/comments-7.630392 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=www.ctvnews.ca}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Segway Patent Complaint Could Result In Import Ban On Most "Hoverboard" Scooters |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/03/17/segway-patent-complaint-could-result-in-import-ban-on-most-hoverboard-scooters/ |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Consumerist |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Mullin |first=Joe |date=2016-03-17 |title=Most "hoverboards" set to be banned from US, courtesy of Segway |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/03/segway-uses-patents-to-win-an-import-ban-on-competing-hoverboards/ |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> Segway Inc. requested the blocking of imports of competing scooters into the United States.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

In June 2016, Segway Inc. launched the Segway miniPRO, a smaller [[self-balancing scooter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/06/01/segway-launches-1000-self-balancing-scooter-than-can-be-controlled-like-a-drone-from-your-phone/|title=Segway launches $1,000 self-balancing scooter you can control like a drone from your phone|work=Venture Beat|date=1 June 2016}}</ref>

===End of production===
Only 140,000 units were sold during the lifetime of the product, and in the later years the Segway PT only made up 1.5% of total company profit.<ref name=":0" /> Factors contributing to the end of production include the price (US$5,000 at launch), and the learning curve in learning to balance on a Segway PT which has led to notable accidents involving [[Usain Bolt]], [[George W. Bush]], [[Ellen DeGeneres]], [[Ian Healy]], and Segway Inc. previous owner [[Jimi Heselden]].<ref name=":1" /> While the Segway has remained popular for security and tourism, [[Motorized scooter|electric scooters]] have been more popular for personal mobility.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

=== UTVs ===
In February 2022, Segway entered the UTV ([[Side-by-side (vehicle)|Utility Terrain Vehicle]]) market.{{Citation needed|reason=No current reference|date=April 2024}}

==Products==
At the end of production in 2020, Segway Inc. was selling these five self-balancing scooters:

;Professional
* Segway i2 SE (professional [[Personal transporter#Self-balancing scooter|self-balancing scooter]] for use in warehouses and other locations)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk-en.segway.com/products/segway-i2-se|title=Segway I2 SE|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
* Segway x2 SE (ruggedised self-balancing scooter for use on most challenging terrain)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk-en.segway.com/products/segway-x2-se|title=Segway x2 SE|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>
* Segway Robot (autonomous robot based on the Segway miniPro)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segwayrobotics.com/|title=Meet Loomo|work=Segway Robotics|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref>

;Consumer
* Ninebot by Segway E+ (self-balancing scooter for general use)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-e|title=Ninebot by Segway E+|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719234128/http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-e|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Ninebot by Segway miniPro (smaller self-balancing scooter for general use, controlled by a 'knee control bar')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-minipro|title=Segway miniPro|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707031230/http://uk-en.segway.com/products/ninebot-by-segway-minipro|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Segway GT1P/GT2 P(battery electric super kick scooter){{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
* GT1 (battery electric super kick scooter)<ref>{{Cite web |title=GT1 Segway-Ninebot Electric SuperScooter |url=https://www.segway.com.au/products/segway-ninebot-superscooter-gt1 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Segway-Ninebot Australia |language=en}}</ref>
* GT2 (battery electric super kick scooter)<ref>{{Cite web |title=GT2 Segway-Ninebot Electric SuperScooter |url=https://www.segway.com.au/products/segway-superscooter-gt2 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Segway-Ninebot Australia |language=en}}</ref>
*ZT3Pro (battery electric kick scooter)<ref>{{Cite web |title=KickScooter ZT3Pro - Product - Segway-Ninebot Australia |url=https://au.segway.com/product/kickscooter-zt3pro.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=au.segway.com}}</ref>
*Xafari (full suspension trekking ebike)
*Xyber (battery electric motorcycle)<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-bike - Segway |url=https://ebike.segway.com/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=ebike.segway.com}}</ref>
*Dirt eBike X260 (battery electric motorcycle)
*Dirt eBike X160 (battery electric motorcycle)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electric Dirt Bike {{!}} Dirt eBikes {{!}} Segway Official Store |url=https://store.segway.com/dirtebike |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=store.segway.com}}</ref>

;Powersports
ATV: AT5 S, AT5 L, AT6 S, AT6 L<br>UTV: UT10, UT10 Crew<br>SSV (SxS): SX10 - E, SX10 - X, SX10 - WIDE, SX20 - TURBO, SX20 - HYBRID<ref>{{Cite web |title=ATVs {{!}} Segway Powersports Helping Hardworking Farmers |url=https://segwaypowersports.com.au/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Segway Powersports Australia |language=en-US}}</ref>

;Ninebot
*E300SE (battery electric motorcycle)
*E110S (battery electric motorcycle)
*E125S (battery electric motorcycle)<ref>{{Cite web |title=eMotorbike - Product - Segway-Ninebot Australia |url=https://au.segway.com/product/emotorbike.html |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=au.segway.com}}</ref>

==Technology==
The dynamics of the Segway PT are similar to a classic control problem, the [[inverted pendulum]]. It uses [[brushless DC electric motor]]s in each wheel powered by [[lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]] with balance achieved using [[tilt sensor]]s, and [[gyroscopic sensor]]s developed by [[BAE Systems]]' [[Marconi Research Centre|Advanced Technology Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segway-madrid.com/aboutus/press_releases/pr_072202.html|title=Segway - About Us - Press Releases - BAE SYSTEMS and Segway LLC Announce Partnership to Market Segway Human Transporter in the UK - 22 Jul 2002|work=segway-madrid.com|access-date=24 August 2012|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308042207/http://www.segway-madrid.com/aboutus/press_releases/pr_072202.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Usage==
{{see also|Personal transporter#Use and regulation by country}}
[[File:FlorenceSegwayTour.jpg|thumb|Two tourists on a Segway tour in [[Florence]], Italy]]
The special police forces trained to protect the public during the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] used the Segway for mobility.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Branigan |first=Tania |date=2008-07-18 |title=China issues anti-terrorism manual for Olympic games |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/18/china.terrorism |access-date=2025-10-31 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In 2011, the Segway i2 was being marketed to the emergency medical services community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |title=EMS LifeLine |publisher=StreetSmart Segway |access-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114061414/http://www.streetsmartsegway.com/segway-streetsmart/streetsmart-lifeline-ems-segway.html |archive-date=14 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2018, the police of Stockholm adopted Segway i2 as a transportation method for the patrollers of the old town.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=2019-08-26|title=IN PICTURES: Stockholm's segway police are here to stay|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20180508/stockholm-segway-police-are-here-to-stay-sweden|date=2018-05-08|newspaper=The Local Sweden}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{annotated link|Jonathan Gleich}}
* {{annotated link|Scooter (motorcycle)}}
* {{annotated link|Segway polo}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|www.segway.com}}
* {{web archive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721124219/http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf |title=Segway Patent Information |date=2017-07-21 }}
* [https://www.uksegboards.co.uk/certifications Segway Certifications]
* {{Commons category-inline|Segways}}

{{Segway}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Segway Pt}}
[[Category:2000s fads and trends]]
[[Category:American inventions]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Battery electric vehicles]]
[[Category:Electric two-wheel vehicles]]
[[Category:Mobility devices]]
[[Category:Personal transporters]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2001]]