Segway is a manufacturer of personal transporters and mobility products. They offer a variety of products to fit different needs and tastes.
Personal transporters are vehicles for personal use in the urban and suburban environment. They are usually lighter and more nimble than conventional cars, excellent for short commutes or errands.
In this piece, we’ll first consider the market itself in general before discussing all its different aspects. But how does Segway hope to dominate such an ever-expanding and highly profitable field? Finally, we’ll choose three from various price ranges and analyse them in detail regarding capability and features.
Personal Transport: What Does That Cover?
Many different types of personal transporters are available today, each with distinctive features and advantages. Apart from Segway, which we are covering here, some of the most popular types of personal transporters include:
Electric Scooters – Electric scooters are among the most commonly used personal transporters. Typically lightweight, agile and maneuverable. Most electric scooters will run up to 15 miles on a charge, and their top speed is around 15 mph.
Electric Bikes – Another favourite is electric bikes or e-bikes. They resemble traditional bicycles and come with an electric motor to supplement power. An E-bike can run 40 miles on a full charge and go as fast as 28 mph.
Electric Skateboards – Electric skateboards are a relatively new type of personal transport that is becoming popular with urban commuters. They are generally small and light, so you can carry them around conveniently when not in use. Electric skateboards can travel up to 10 miles on a single charge and as fast as 20 mph.
Hoverboards – Hoverboards are self-balancing personal transporters like Segways. They are generally smaller and more nimble than Segways, so they’re suitable for short trips or use indoors. A single charge will allow most hoverboards to travel up to 12 miles and reach speeds of as fast as ten mph.
Segways Humble Beginnings
Inventor Dean Kamen introduced the Segway to the market in 2001.
The Segway was billed as a futuristic personal transportation device that would transform the way people get around.
But the Segway, despite early hype and celebrity endorsers including then-US President George W. Bush, ultimately failed to blossom into a success as initially expected. It was seen as too expensive for most consumers, and there were issues with its practicality and safety.
However, Segway did find a market in tourism, law enforcement, and other specialised fields. In 2015, the company was acquired by Chinese firm Ninebot. Today, Segway products are sold and used around the world.
The Most Successful in its Class – The Segway Ninebot
Segway personal electric kickscooters Ninebot are self-balancing on two wheels, using electric motors and batteries; they can travel at speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph).
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned that based on current market conditions for 2023/4 seasons, we will select three standouts at each price point so you can understand what bang you are getting per buck.
The Segway Ninebot Kickscooter F30
LOWER-END
The Segway Ninebot Kickscooter F30 is one of the most powerful electric scooters for city commuting.
The highlight of the company’s electric bike is its 350W motor, which is capable of bringing it to a top speed of over 18.6 miles per hour and has an estimated range on one charge as high as 25 miles.
The F30 can carry up to 220 lbs and is built on top of a safe, comfortable chassis. The scooter’s frame is made of lightweight but strong aluminium that folds easily for storage and transport.
It also has a front and rear suspension system, which ensures smooth riding even over rough surfaces.
On the F30, tires are 10-inch tubeless pneumatics, giving excellent traction and stability. Its head and taillights are all LED, which provides illumination during low-light times.
It also has an LED display that displays speed, battery level and whatnot.
Segway Ninebot Electric KickScooter P65A
MID-RANGE
This a lightweight, folding electric scooter that weighs 23.5 lbs and has a maximum payload of up to 220 lbs.
A 300W brushless motor and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery power it, capable of covering up to 15.5 miles on one charge. This scooter reaches a top speed of 15.5 mph and can handle inclines up to as much as 15 degrees.
A dual-brake system is another safety feature on the P65A, providing extra stopping power and control. As well as a regenerative electric brake, there’s also a mechanical foot brake.
The scooter has front and rear shock absorbers for a smooth ride; its 8.5-inch air-filled tires can maneuver over rough terrain or uneven road surfaces.
The P65A has an LED display communicating the scooter’s speed, battery level and other significant data. Bluetooth lets you link the scooter to your mobile phone and operate it via the Segway-Ninebot app.
NOTE – The app also collects up-to-date information about your riding habits and lets you adjust the settings on your scooter.
The Segway Ninebot GT1 Super Kickscooter
HIGH-END
This is the Ferarri of the range!
This an extremely fast electric scooter; it can reach 37.3 mph and has a range of up to the rather magnificent sounding figure of 43.5 miles (or seven hours).
It has a 3000W motor driving the rear wheel, a 15-level damper adjustment hydraulic shock system on both front and back wheels, frontal double wishbone suspension and conjoined treadle armries.
It also features a foldable design, digital display, three brakes and four-speed settings.
It is highly maneuverable and can negotiate asphalt, gravel or hills. It can even be manipulated and adapted through the app for Segways.
The application provides a schedule that enables you to choose which type of cleaning method is used at any time, adjust settings from anywhere in your home, and monitor its progress.
It can also be combined with other smart home devices and systems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung Smart Things. This allows for voice control or automation.
SUMMARY
Personal transporters are ideal for anyone seeking a convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel around town. They are usually much cheaper than traditional cars and require little maintenance. There are so many different kinds of personal transporters on the market today; one is bound to fit your style and price range.
