The Segway i2 Personal Transporter
Training Packet
INTRODUCTION
Much of the technology in the Segway i2 – notably, how the machine manages to stay upright by
itself (thanks to a Segway-patented process) - is unchanged from the older Segway model (the
i167). There are three main differences:
1) The key.
The InfoKey Controller is essentially an electronic remote for operating the i2; it is also a
display panel. It not only turns the Segway on and off, but also shows and monitors a variety
of information. It can be docked on the vehicle or carried separately. On the older Segway,
the display screen is attached to the handlebar frame, and the key is separate (actually, there
are several different keys, for different speeds – we only ever use the “slow” key).
2) The batteries.
The i2 uses lithium-ion batteries, whereas our older model uses nickel metal hydride
batteries. These Li-ion batteries charge more quickly and retain a charge longer. The i2 can
go
up to
24 miles (38km) or 480 city blocks with fully-charged batteries. (The maximum
distance achieved will depend on terrain, weight of rider, and riding style.) The older
Segway can travel at most up to 12 miles on a full charge.
3) The handle and turning mechanism.
The handlebar on the i2 tilts and pivots from the base, using what is called LeanSteer
technology: you move the handlebar frame in the direction you want to turn, and the Segway
turns. The frame is highly responsive; a gentle tilt is sufficient to get the machine to turn.
Maneuvering when riding is intuitive: lean forward to go forward, lean back to move
backwards, and lean the frame to either side to turn in that direction. On the older model,
you need to rotate a knob on the handle to turn in either direction; the frame is rigid. Like the
older model, the i2 can rotate around a single axis (by the wheels turning in opposite
directions), giving the Segway a turning radius of zero.
The basic i2 without any added accessories costs about $5,100. (The x2, a cross-terrain version
that can maneuver through dirt, gravel, grass, etc., costs about $5,700 without accessories.)
Primary users for the Segway - other than technology- and gadget-loving individuals with money
to spend - are police departments and security agencies on college campuses and in airports,
railway stations, manufacturing facilities, and shopping malls. Segways are also being used in
cargo warehouses and at various resorts and golf courses.
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