FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SEGWAYS

What’s the Segway Smile?
The Segway Smile is exhibited by nearly everyone who’s ever ridden a Segway PT. The Segway PT is more than a product; it’s an experience unlike anything you’ve tried before. Going from place to place becomes fun. Riders become empowered pedestrians that cover more ground, work smarter, become more productive and move more intelligently. This knowledge manifests itself in an ear-to-ear grin.
Not sure what we’re talking about? Stop someone riding a Segway PT the next time you see one and you’ll understand. You’ll probably smile back.

 Where did the "Segway" name originate?
The inspiration came from the word segue, which is defined as, "to transition smoothly from one state to another." A Segway Personal Transporter (PT) transforms a person into an empowered pedestrian, allowing him/her to go farther, move more quickly and carry more than could ever be achievable walking.

What’s a glide?
A glide is a trip you take riding your Segway PT. We like the name because it’s simple and very accurately describes the motion of riding, which is smooth and even, like you’re gliding across a surface. Gliding is a great way to meet new people, see new sights, or just get out and enjoy the day.

What does riding a Segway PT feel like?
Riding the Segway PT feels like nothing you've ever experienced because there's never been anything like it. Step on and your instinct will be to steady yourself, as you would on anything with two wheels. But almost immediately you'll realize that the Segway PT is balancing for you, almost like it has become an extension of you. Just lean forward a little and you'll see that the Segway PT isn't moving you on its own; it's moving in response to you and what you tell it to do. It all feels natural and really cool.

 How does it move? How does it balance?
The Segway PT uses LeanSteer™ Technology to move you from Point A to B. Gently move the LeanSteer frame and handlebar left or right in the direction you want to travel and feel the machine respond almost instantly.

The Segway PT balances by using five micro-machined angular rate sensors and two accelerometers that sense the changing terrain and your body position at 100 times per second.
It’s easy and fun to operate.   All you have to do is lean in the direction you want to go, and your Segway PT takes you there.  And don’t worry, it takes care of the balancing on two wheels part.

Invented by NASA’s Dean Kamen, the Segway Personal Transporter is the first of its kind – a self-balancing personal transportaion machine designed to go anywhere you go.   With its innovative technology, the Segway PT caries you across most terrains noiselessly and efficiently while producing no adverse environmental emissions.  

Inventor and engineer Dean Kamen began his career with medical inventions, including the first portable insulin pump. Later he developed a prototype wheelchair called iBot which allows users to climb stairs and raise themselves upright. He is the founder of FIRST -- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology -- a program to encourage young scientists and inventors. Early in 2001 rumors began to fly about an upcoming Kamen project, a secret invention code-named IT or Ginger. In December of 2001 Kamen revealed that IT was a new style of gyroscope-based electric scooter, now called the Segway Human Transporter, or Segway. the first self-balancing, zero emissions personal transportation vehicle: the Segway® Personal Transporter (PT). Founded on the vision to develop highly-efficient, zero-emission transportation solutions using dynamic stabilization technology, Segway’s research and development was focused on creating devices that took up a minimal amount of space, were extremely maneuverable and could operate on pedestrian sidewalks and pathways.
In 2006, the second generation Segway PT’s were introduced. All the products feature breakthrough LeanSteer™ technology and a wireless InfoKey™ controller that enhance the Segway experience by making the ride even more intuitive and adding new and useful functions.Today, Segway continues to develop safe, unique transportation solutions that address urban congestion and pollution