Actually, I like this gizmo, and think it's cool. However, your point is well taken, and was not far from my own mind as I admired the qualities of the vehicle.

It's no panacea, just another of many (or what SHOULD be many ) choices for getting around.

I will sour very quickly on it for two reasons: 1) It will end up being way costlier than is reasonable, and 2) It will be touted as mandatory alternative to cars. Mayor Bloomberg -- the world's ultimate metro-weenie -- will try to make it the only personal transportation mode allowed in Manhattan. You watch. You read it here first.

Also, the Segway is idiotic and overpriced. It is the PUMA that I was expecting Kamen to come up with when I read all the hype preceding the Segway.

Aye, aye, Sir. I'll take my little Smith and Wesson AirWeight .38 along for the ride and let the tires be used for target practice.

It's also worth noting that this thing is currently a prototype; the problems already mentioned (lack of weather protection at the sides for example) WILL be addressed.

True, the Segway is much more expensive than it should be. And so is this thing going to be - if the naysayers succeed in stopping it from taking off sales-wise. Economy of scale and all that.

I might, personally, just be tempted by the Indian idea that's going to start production real soon now, if it makes it to Britain. Basically, a lightweight car powered by compressed air. It's going to come with its own compressor - so you can fill it up overnight yourself - and another advantage is that the equipment for fast refilling is fairly cheap, being essentially the same as the equipment used by dive shops for filling scuba tanks. So quite a lot of filling stations might find it worthwhile to buy such equipment.

If that happens, I might just buy one myself - especially as my mileage is very limited.

Only one problem... as the Federal Government sucks all the air out of the local government, our local streets will become more & more pot-holed. Any funds the local govt can come up with will be spent on on non-negotiable items such as Fire & Police. (You know we can't get a response to Federal overspending, but we can all go to Common Council meetings and have temper tantrums about our local municipality budgets being too high...) SO... It won't be TOO long & the PUMA won't have streets in good enough shape to ride upon...

Susan Lee

I found the prototype.

No safety helmet?

JWM

Earth friendly greenecomobiles will become popular the moment they come up with one that is dangerously fast, annoyingly loud, and all around wicked cool. Until then, forget it.

JWM

(GROAN!)

Let's just call it the Street/Highway Integrated Transporter.

I like it but only for sidewalk travel. It does not look very safe for driving in actual traffic with real cars. If I had enough money though, I would buy one for each of my U. S. Senators (Murray and Cantwell, WA) and one for my Govenor (Gregoire)

It's touted as a personal transporter for urban environments.

Take Times Square in Manhattan at five on a Friday before a holiday weekend, then put everybody there inside one of those silly things.

FAIL.

BTW, is there a resource for finding which businesses are now owned, or held by companies that are owned, by the Feds?

I am trying to figure out who I no longer do business with is all.

I reckon our the 2010 elections may well be the last one that is remotely ethical. If we don't kill this monster at the ballot box, we have to cut off the money somehow.

DON'T do business with TARP recipients. DON'T do business with businesses that do.

Pass the word.

P.U.M.A.?

More like P.ersonal U.rban S.cooter S.eat.

JWM

Here comes the Dork Mobile!

For the same money, a person of character could buy something like what these folks offer.

""""""It's going to come with its own compressor - so you can fill it up overnight yourself - and another advantage is that the equipment for fast refilling is fairly cheap, being essentially the same as the equipment used by dive shops for filling scuba tanks. So quite a lot of filling stations might find it worthwhile to buy such equipment."""""

They have air machines, so adding a more powerfull compressor next to it should be no biggie.

"""""For the same money, a person of character could buy something like what these folks offer.""""

Oh, gracious me! Here comes someone with the manliness thing!

Hey dude, don't you know that acting like you have a pair is passė? Yeah, me neither -- I prefer to act like a regressive Neanderthal as well. Even when they ban my behavior, shoot me full of darts and throw a net over me I won't give up.

A must-have for mobile metrosexuals.

In-dash technology will shut-down vehicle if testerone is detected.

There are scooters already.

Fletcher, it won't be the naysayers who keep this from taking off, the naysayers merely represent the fact that few will want to buy one.