| “Segway” in English means two-wheeled scooter.
Name of the scooter “Segway” originates from English word “segue” - “smoothly moving from one position to another”. Scooter “Segway” transforms its owner, a usual pedestrian into an advanced participant in traffic by allowing him to move quicker, further and with minimum of energy spent.
Two wheels of scooter are located parallel to each other. When rider’s position on scooter changes, Dynamic Stabilization technology in “Segway”, 100 times in a second, automatically identifies any failure in balancing adjustment. For this purpose, a system of gyroscopes and a liquid gage of inclination are maintained. Their signals reach microprocessors which produce force for driving motors; every wheel of Segway is brought to revolving by its electric motor responding to changes in vehicle’s equilibrium state.
When rider bends onwards segway moves ahead, more the bend quicker the movements is.
When bending is on backwards scooter slows down, stops or moves reverse. Bending is to the left or right, electric motor for respective wheel slows down and scooter turns to required side. Owing to this scooter doesn’t need steering or break.
Segway picks up speed of about 20km/hour, battery weight is 40kg, width - 60cm, and the payload is 140kg. Accumulator box provides running up to 40km. the characteristics vary according to the model. Specially developed are compact and powerful (2 HP) electric motors. Every motor is connected to its own wheel through gear box. Vehicle can move not only on asphalt road but also on plain ground.
Din Keymen spent 10 years to develop Segway. Today in US, Segways are used by patrolmen, mail men, golf players and many others. In some states laws have been enacted which allow riding Segways on sidewalks. It is expected that the increasing price of gasoline will further increase sales of Segways.
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Cincinnati Police are now using Segways as means of personal transport. As strange as it may sound, the police officers say Segways help them catch criminals - these machines are compact, but move fast enough and produce little noise - the three important factors in catching criminals on the streets.
