Toyota unveils Segway rivals
Super stylish scooters soon to be seen on streets
With the Segway’s popularity taking off around the world, Toyota has seen the opportunity and designed its own deceptively similar two-wheeled motorised transportation device.
Toyota's Winglet: a Segway in disguise?
Toyota’s machine is called the Winglet will be available in a 462mm high Type S model, a 680mm Type M option or flagship 1130mm tall Type L machine. Users stand on A3 size ‘wings’ that overhang each wheel.
It’s not clear how users control the Type S and M models, because the handles are too low for most people to comfortably reach. Perhaps Toyota’s planning to target these two models at more adventurous skateboarder type riders? But the Type L model is, aside from a few stylistic differences, a Segway.
All three models have a maximum cruising speed of just over 3mph, whereas the Segway has a top speed of around 12mph. The Type S model’s 5km cruising range is half the distance available with the two other Toyota models. All three take about one hour to charge-up.
The first Toyota Winglets are expected to roll off of the production line in 2010.
COMMENTS
LEGS LEGS!
Does nobody have any LEGS?
<apologies for people who don't have the use of their legs. Or have no legs. Or people who have legs where their hands are and walk on their hands. Or snail people.>
applause
for Bez.. nicely phonetic. rols off the tongue. so to speak..
i wonder if they'll do a flat-bed version.
3MPH because...
That means you can use them (at least in the UK) on the pavement without a licence, insurance etc.
@ RainForestGuppy
Ah, yes indeed I have heard of the BI-Cy-Cle. I believe it was in a history class. From the ancient Romanian for curious about both or either gender and having to do with sexuality.
Not sure what that's got to do with the article though.
Paris, because...
@ Bez
Love your first commemnt in this section. Great writing.
