Earn Cash Back at Segway
A Segway is a self-balancing electric scooter you control by leaning in the direction of travel. Used by commuters, police officers and tour guides – as well as played as a variant of horse polo known as “Segway Polo.” However, sales have only reached into the thousands since its introduction in 2002; its high price point may be contributing factors as well.
To keep its riders from collapsing, the Segway uses a complex balancing act with sensors continuously monitoring rider position 100 times per second and sending that data on to its brain – two electronic controller circuit boards housing microprocessors – that in turn adjust the speeds of several electric motors that power by nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries that provide up to 80 miles of range between recharges.
Kamen, who founded Segway in 2002, always saw it as a way of revolutionizing how people commuted. He attempted to bring its price below $1,000 but failed due to expensive batteries. Furthermore, city authorities struggled to accept it on sidewalks.
Roger Brown purchased Segway Inc for $9 million at its peak of bankruptcy and immediately set about turning its fortunes around, cutting costs while developing new ways of marketing the device as rentals services.