Imagine yourself riding smoothly at a constant speed on your electric scooter, without having to keep your finger pressed on the accelerator. That's exactly what cruise control promises! This feature, available on several Segway electric scooter models, offers real comfort and optimizes battery life on long trips. But beware: in France, it is factory-disabled to comply with regulations. In this article, Weebot explains how to activate cruise control on the Segway electric scooter.
What is cruise mode on a Segway electric scooter?
To improve your riding comfort and optimize the range of your Segway electric scooter, cruise control mode is a real bonus. This feature, inspired by car speed regulators, allows you to automatically maintain a constant speed without having to keep the accelerator engaged. Ideal for long trips and relaxed rides!
Principle and operation
The cruise control mode relies on an electronic regulation system integrated into your electric scooter. As soon as you maintain a steady speed for a few seconds, speed sensors communicate with the motor controller to keep this pace without pressing the accelerator.
Activation is confirmed by a beep and a specific icon displayed on the dashboard. Thanks to this device, the machine adjusts the engine power in real time to compensate for slight terrain variations and maintain your constant speed.
The advantages of cruise control
One of the primary benefits of cruise control is the reduction of fatigue. By eliminating continuous pressure on the accelerator, you adopt a more relaxed posture, which relieves your wrists and hands on long journeys. This system also contributes to better energy management: by stabilizing the speed, it limits sudden accelerations and decelerations that heavily strain the battery.
As a result, you benefit from optimized autonomy. Finally, the cruise mode makes driving smoother and more enjoyable, allowing you to focus more on your surroundings and your journey.
How to check the compatibility of your Segway electric scooter?
Before you start activating cruise control mode, it is essential to check if your electric scooter model is compatible. Indeed, not all Segway models include this feature, and some models even require a software update to make it available.
Compatible models
Among the models that feature cruise control mode are notably the Segway Ninebot MAX G3 E, GT3, E3 Pro, the P65I as well as the ES4, E22 series and the entire MAX and E range. However, having the right model is not enough: it is imperative that the firmware of your electric scooter is up to date and that the Segway-Ninebot mobile app used is compatible with this feature. It is this hardware + software combination that makes access to advanced options like cruise control mode possible.
How to check your model and firmware?
To ensure the compatibility of your electric scooter, start by connecting your vehicle to the official Segway-Ninebot mobile app.
From the interface, you can easily check the exact model, the firmware version, and verify if an update is available.
Also remember to take a look at the label located on the back of the deck: it displays the model, the serial number, and sometimes the hardware version.
A QR code is generally visible, allowing a quick scan to obtain all the technical information and directly access product support. This double verification will prevent any unpleasant surprises before attempting to activate cruise control mode.
Technical risks and limitations of cruise mode on a Segway electric scooter
If the cruise control mode undeniably improves driving comfort, its technical limitations should not be overlooked. This function relies on sensors and an electronic system that can be sensitive to certain factors such as terrain, weather conditions, or even software updates. Here are the points to watch out for to avoid any unpleasant surprises during its use.
Can it be accidentally deactivated?
Yes, and it is even designed that way. Cruise control automatically deactivates as soon as you pull a brake lever or completely release the accelerator. That said, some users report unintentional deactivations due to:
• A grip that is too firm which slightly releases the accelerator
• Intense vibrations on damaged roads
• Poor sensor calibration after a software update
Result: a slight loss of stability or comfort, especially if you are not expecting it.
Does it perform poorly on slopes or in the rain?
Cruise mode is designed to maintain a constant speed on flat or gently sloping terrain. When going uphill or downhill, it quickly reaches its limits:
• When going uphill, the scooter may struggle to maintain the programmed speed, causing jerks if the motor is undersized.
• When going downhill, some models maintain speed without issue, while others may increase it slightly due to inertia, which requires increased vigilance.
• In the rain or on wet roads, the speed sensors and wheels may be less responsive, which can result in less precise cruise control behavior. Additionally, the risk of slipping increases, especially if the user does not brake in time to deactivate the mode.
Are there any known power losses or bugs?
User feedback mentions some technical issues to be aware of:
• Temporary power losses on certain models after activating cruise control mode, especially if the firmware is not up to date.
• Display bugs: sometimes the cruise control icon remains lit even after deactivation.
• Non-activation: sometimes, holding the accelerator is not enough to activate the function, especially if the sensors are poorly calibrated or if the environment is too noisy for the beep to be heard.
These problems are not systematic, but they justify always performing a test in a secure environment before using cruise mode over a long distance.
Can cruise control be activated in France?
Even though cruise control is integrated on several Segway models, its use remains very regulated in France. The reason: strict regulations aimed at ensuring the safety of users and pedestrians. This is also why this feature is systematically disabled from the factory on models sold in the territory.
What French legislation says
Since 2019, the Highway Code has precisely regulated the use of motorized personal mobility devices (EDPM), including electric scooters. Among the imposed rules, the prohibition of a cruise control is prominent. The reason is simple: a cruise mode can limit the driver's responsiveness in case of emergency, especially in dense urban areas.
As a result, Segway has disabled this feature by default on all models intended for the French market, even though it remains technically present in the firmware.
Where and when to use it safely?
In France, the use of cruise control mode is therefore only tolerated in a private setting, on enclosed grounds or private property. It is the ideal place to enjoy this function in complete peace, without violating regulations. However, in the city, it can be risky due to pedestrians, intersections, and frequent obstacles. Using this mode under these conditions could endanger your safety and that of others.
Moreover, in case of inspection, you risk a fine of up to €1,500 and the confiscation of your vehicle if it exceeds the imposed limits or has unauthorized functions. It is therefore better to reserve this option for secure areas and comply with the applicable rules.
How to activate cruise control mode on your Segway electric scooter?
Depending on your model and the chosen configuration, there are two ways to activate cruise control: via the Segway-Ninebot mobile app or directly from your scooter. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it safely.
Activate via the Segway-Ninebot app
Start by connecting your electric scooter to the official app using your smartphone's Bluetooth.
Make sure the firmware is up to date to enjoy the latest available options. Once the device is recognized, go to the vehicle settings and look for the "Cruise Mode" option.
Activate it, then, when you reach a speed of at least 5 km/h, hold the accelerator down for five seconds. A long beep will sound to confirm the activation of the mode.
Activate directly on the Segway electric scooter
On certain models, you can activate cruise control without using the app. When driving at a speed between 5 and 10 km/h, simply hold the accelerator pressed for about five seconds.
The system will then emit a beep to indicate that the function is activated. On the P65I model, a quick double-click on the power button activates or deactivates cruise mode.
On the GT1 side, it is the double-click on the left switch that performs this function.
Adjust and disable cruise control mode
Once activated, you can easily adjust your cruising speed. Some models allow you to change it in increments of 5 km/h by pressing the driving mode change button, or more precisely in increments of 1 km/h by holding this button down.
To deactivate the function, simply pull one of the brake levers, release the accelerator, or, depending on the model, press the "Cruise" button again. Each action is confirmed by a beep and the icon displayed on the dashboard, indicating that the cruise mode is either active or deactivated.
FAQ
Does cruise control consume more or less battery than manual driving?
In general, cruise control helps save battery because it avoids sudden acceleration and unnecessary braking. By maintaining a steady speed, the scooter operates more smoothly, which can slightly extend the range on regular or flat routes.
Can the cruise control speed be customized?
Not directly upstream, as one might do with a car. Cruise control engages at the speed you are traveling at the moment of activation. On some Segway models, however, it is possible to adjust the cruise speed once active, using the mode change buttons. This still depends on the model and firmware.
Does cruise control work in eco, standard, and sport modes?
Yes, but the behavior can vary. In eco mode, speed maintenance will be smoother and more gradual, while in sport mode, acceleration will be more responsive. It is therefore recommended to activate cruise control in the driving mode that corresponds to your need (range vs performance).
Conclusion
Activating cruise control mode on a Segway scooter truly transforms your rides by offering superior driving comfort and optimized battery management. However, it is important to remember that this feature is factory-disabled in France to comply with current regulations and avoid any risks in urban areas. If you wish to use it, do so exclusively on private property and under safe conditions. Visit Weebot to find your future Segway electric scooter!