That was a great article - highlighting everything that was wrong with Segway. I'm totally ordering the book, kind of hidden away at the bottom - http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/...
I don't think that's true. The real problems were:
1) It looked like a medical device--something for cripples.
2) It pretended to be a replacement for cars, but was in fact a replacement for walking and bicycling--both of which are superior and cheaper to scooting around. That miscalculation was why they thought it was "revolutionary".
They completely screwed up the application of the thing. It doesn't solve any problems for me that are worth the price tag.
If the only thing I'm transporting is me, then:
- I'd rather walk, if I have the time, - or, ride a bike, if I'm in more of a hurry, - or jump in the car.
So, I think human transportation is out.
What I think might have worked is if the thing were designed to be a cargo transporter. I wouldn't mind being able to ride down to the grocery store on my bike, towing a stable self-powered cart on a simple leash behind me, to carry 50 pounds of groceries (or tools, or computer hardware, or whatever) on the way back.
That would be kinda cool.
But not $4500 cool.