It is a fact, the history of humanity has not stopped accelerating since the invention of the wheel .
In 1999, Dean Kamen revolutionized movement by inventing the very first Segway PT brand Segway .
The Segway is a single-seater electric vehicle with 2 parallel wheels on which the user stands to move forward. Thanks to its ultra-sophisticated mechanism , it takes no more than 5 minutes to master your driving.
If the purchase of this vehicle based on advanced technology may seem complex to you, we have produced this guide for you to help you in your choice.
How does a segway work?
The great innovation of the Segway type Segway is that it works using a self-balancing system . This gyroscopic system allows the user to be able to control the device with the weight of his body.
Concretely, the sensors and the 5 gyroscopes placed at the heart of the device make it possible to detect the movements of the body and to use them to move the machine forward . This complex system makes it possible to obtain a perfect and automatic balance of the Segway user. Indeed, whether you are stationary or moving, you are sure not to lose your balance or fall. And this regardless of the speed at which you are driving.
In the same way, it is easy to turn right and left using only the weight of your body to orient the machine by tilting slightly.
The gyroscopic system is so reliable (thanks to 2 powerful integrated computers) that it can respond immediately to the slightest inclination of the driver's body. We lean forward to move the Segway forward, backward to slow down and we orient our body and the handlebars to turn in any direction.
All this technology makes the Segway a particularly handy and safe electric vehicle.
The different types of segways
If the driving principle remains the same all the time, there are different ranges of Segways to adapt to all uses.
Classic Segways
The classic Segway models are equipped with 14 to 17 inch size wheels which are suitable for use on urban roads or on not too rough country roads.
They can reach a maximum speed of 18 km/h on average thanks to a 1000 W to 1800 W motor .
But the main criterion that characterizes these Segways dedicated to occasional leisure remains the capacity of the battery. Indeed, if the Segway does not serve you every day, it is not necessary to opt for a top-of-the-range model with a large capacity battery.
With a battery around 520W you will have a device capable of offering you a range of 30 to 35 km on a single charge. This is more than enough for leisure use.
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
Airwheel S3 Pulsar
All-terrain gyropods
In higher-end Segways there are often all-terrain models equipped with larger wheels and more powerful batteries .
Indeed, to survey more difficult terrain and slopes of up to 35 degrees it is necessary to have powerful batteries of 700 to 750W . They can drive up to 20km/h.
These batteries also have a high autonomy which makes them perfectly suitable electric vehicles for going to the workplace, for long walks, or even guided tours in tourism.
In general, the all-terrain Segway is equipped with 19-inch notched wheels and weighs between 40 and 50 kg to support a load weight of 150 kg .
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
Sleeveless gyropods
Finally, there is a last type of Segway which are Segways without sleeves or without handlebars . We can put them in the category of gyropods because they work according to the same gyroscopic principle.
Popularized by the Mini Pro model of the Ninebot brand, it is a device intended for leisure or for small transport tasks in the professional world (in warehouses for example).
They are equipped with a battery that provides a range of more than 20 km and a speed of 18 km/h for only 4 hours of recharge time.
The sleeveless Segway works much like ahoverboard with steering control by the knees . By tilting your knees, you turn the machine to the right or to the left.
On the other hand, the nice point of the sleeveless Segway is to be able to sit on the central seat . This can be practical in the context of daily use.
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
Conclusion on How to choose a Segway type Segway
As you will have understood, the Segways market has grown significantly since the launch of the first Segway.
We therefore advise you to take a good look at the characteristics of the products that you can find on the internet or in stores.
It is important that you select a Segway according to your needs and not just base your choice on a cheap Segway or on high-end features.