IT Is Ready To Go!
Secret Invention Introduced To Public
POSTED: 7:10 a.m. EST December 3, 2001
UPDATED: 11:48 a.m. EST December 3, 2001
NEW YORK -- A much-ballyhooed secret invention was introduced to the public Monday.
A two-wheeled scooter called the Segway Human Transporter -- billed as an alternative to the automobile -- has been officially unveiled.
Inventor Dean Kamen told Time magazine the scooter could help people move about more efficiently in urban areas.
The two-wheeled Segway looks like a cross between an old rotary lawn mower and a modern scooter. It travels at a top speed of 17 MPH.
Built-in gyroscopes are designed to keep it from falling over. Riders stand upright and navigate with a bicycle-like handlebar.
The self-balancing scooter was initially known only by the code names "IT" and "Ginger."
Kamen said his invention will cut down on travel time, especially in cities. He said a trip that used to take a half-hour will now take less than 10 minutes.
Kamen said just think of the invention as a "pair of magic sneakers."
Time magazine reports the U.S. Postal Service, General Electric and National Parks Service will be the first buyers. But a consumer model won't be available for at least a year.
The Segway was first unveiled on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday morning.
A two-wheeled scooter called the Segway Human Transporter -- billed as an alternative to the automobile -- has been officially unveiled.
Inventor Dean Kamen told Time magazine the scooter could help people move about more efficiently in urban areas.
The two-wheeled Segway looks like a cross between an old rotary lawn mower and a modern scooter. It travels at a top speed of 17 MPH.
Built-in gyroscopes are designed to keep it from falling over. Riders stand upright and navigate with a bicycle-like handlebar.
The self-balancing scooter was initially known only by the code names "IT" and "Ginger."
Kamen said his invention will cut down on travel time, especially in cities. He said a trip that used to take a half-hour will now take less than 10 minutes.
Kamen said just think of the invention as a "pair of magic sneakers."
Time magazine reports the U.S. Postal Service, General Electric and National Parks Service will be the first buyers. But a consumer model won't be available for at least a year.
The Segway was first unveiled on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday morning.
Copyright 2001 by Lifewhile.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
