In 2001, the first Segway appeared in the United States - a two-wheeled vehicle that looks like a Roman chariot and runs on electricity. And in 2010, Chinese and Korean manufacturers introduced a cheap and mobile electric device called a hoverboard to the market. The basis of its development was laid down by the same principles as for a Segway: the platform on which the driver stands, and inside which is the filling from the battery that feeds the motors; gyroscope systems for self-balancing and a computer that controls the entire device.
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The difference between a segway and a hoverboard
Both vehicles are powered by electricity, they have a very similar filling, but the gyro scooter and segway differ not only in name but also in weight. And the presence of a steering wheel-column located between two coaxial wheels is the main difference between a Segway and a gyro scooter, by which they can be accurately distinguished.
In order to answer the question of what is better than a segway or hoverboard, it is necessary to conduct a more detailed comparative description of both devices.
Instrument comparison
We can say that the Segway was organically transformed into a lighter and more affordable gyro scooter, which lost the steering wheel in the process of reducing the cost of the device, and at the same time received some undeniable advantages.
Principle of operation
The Segway and the gyro scooter are individual electric vehicles that operate on exactly the same principle: the battery inside the case powers 2 electric motors, each of which drives its own wheel. A system of special sensors instantly responds to the position of the driver’s body, compensating for the fragility of the structure. The electronic brain of the device conducts the process.
Segways have a more powerful battery, which is why they develop greater speed and are able to carry a small load (about 30 kg) on a wider platform than a gyro scooter. And the platform itself, due to large wheels 9 cm or more, is raised above the ground, which allows the segway to overcome small puddles.
The gyro scooter, lighter and more fragile in appearance, has less powerful motors, which, together with other design features, can reduce its cost, but at the same time deprives the seigway of some advantages.
Control
By announcing the device, its inventor, Den Cayman, argued that managing it would be intuitive, as the Segway would be an extension of the human body. This was achieved thanks to the use of gyroscopes, in the first model there were 5. Their name (as, incidentally, the name of the gyroscope) comes from the Greek gyro γύρος [ˈʝiros], which means a circle, rotation, and the simplest example of a gyroscope is an ordinary jule. It is gyroscopes that evaluate the position of the center of gravity of the system 100 times per second and transmit information about it to the “brain” of the structure - an electronic filling equivalent to the processors of three computers.
In the Segway, control is performed by tilting the body forward and backward, as well as by steering maneuvers: in the first models by turning it, and in later models by tilting it to the right and left.
The gyro scooters move exclusively by pressing the platform with their socks (the device goes forward) or the heels (back and stop), as well as moving the center of gravity to the left or right leg.
Maneuverability on the road
The gyro scooter, standing in one place, can easily turn 360 degrees, practically its maneuverability depends on the maneuverability of the person himself.
But the segway can ride on a country road due to large wheels, and not just on asphalt.
Segways and good hovercraft have the ability to move up an inclined plane at an angle of inclination not exceeding 15 degrees. More serious models overcome a slope of 25 degrees.
Speed
The gyro scooter in speed loses a little to a segway, but new models are released, where the speeds of both of them increase. On average, a gyro scooter has a speed of up to 15 km / h, and a segway - up to 20 km / h. The maximum speed is limited by an electronic device for the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.
Parking place
The inventor of the Segway noted that the device takes up no more space on the streets of the city than a regular pedestrian. However, only the authorities of the Czech Republic, France and Hungary listened to his words, equating the segway with pedestrians. But the authorities of Luxembourg and Switzerland equated him with cyclists, which is more logical, which means that in these countries he can be left in bicycle parking lots. An anti-theft device is provided in the steering column of the Segway.
In other countries, so far, not only are there no parking spaces, but the use of a Segway on the city streets is completely prohibited, for one reason or another.
With the scooter, due to its low weight (no more than 15 kg), the situation is much simpler - it is easy to carry it by putting it in a special case, and it does not need a parking space. The new models include a Bluetooth module that allows you to control the hardware directly from your smartphone. That is, the device can be stopped or blocked, being at a distance from it.
Cost
The first 3 Segways were sold at an online auction for a price in excess of $ 160,000. Currently, a small Segway can be purchased for $ 3,000 - 4,000, and a well-equipped model with the additional ability to transport cargo will cost $ 8,000. The high cost of a Segway, in In fact, a really convenient, environmentally friendly and noiseless vehicle is the main obstacle to its widespread distribution.
Hoverboards are much cheaper, you can buy a wonderful model, the cost of which does not exceed $ 300. Cost is perhaps the main advantage of a hoverboard, and the high cost of a segway often leaves the buyer no choice.
Risk of injury
Any vehicle, whether it be a bicycle or a harmless scooter, requires increased responsibility and care, what can we say about electric vehicles.
The story is overshadowed by the death on September 27, 2010 of the new owner of Segway, Jimmy Heselden. Riding on a Segway, he lost control and fell off a cliff into the English river Warf.
As for gyro scooters, some of its manufacturers, in order to reduce prices, used unreliable electronics, which often failed, and low-quality lithium batteries of extremely low quality, which led to their ignition during charging and operation. The death of a 3-year-old girl who died in the explosion of one of low-quality gyro scooters was widely publicized.
Some airlines prohibit the transportation of gyro scooters both in the cabin and in the luggage compartment of the aircraft.
Maintenance costs
They are not too burdensome: you just need to charge the device in time and monitor the condition of the battery, preventing moisture and dirt from getting inside. Some models use special silicone pads for protection.
It is not recommended to completely discharge the device, and each time put it on charge as soon as the level decreases to 10%. By the way, in this regard, it is more convenient to use a segway, because its steering wheel has a charge level indicator. Each charge of a segway or gyro scooter costs about 5 cents and grabs it for 10-15 km. Charging time is 2 to 3 hours. First, plug the charger into a power outlet - the green indicator lights up. And only then plug the charger plug into the socket on the gyroscope panel - the red light will come on.When the indicator lights up green again, the device is fully charged and is ready to set off again.
It is also important to avoid bumps and falls. Sometimes the hulls of scooters in order to reduce costs are made of materials on which scratches easily appear.
How to make a choice
The first segway immediately received an order from the postal service, they began to use them on golf courses, they transferred a part of the mounted police, but for the average buyer they were quite expensive. They can be rented in some parks or on city tours.
In the competition for the buyer, mini-segways appeared. But here there was some confusion in the terminology, many do not see the difference between a gyro scooter or a mini-segway in front of them. But this difference is obvious - the same steering wheel column for smaller versions of the Segway. True, their cost turned out to be twice as high as that of light and dexterous scooters, which also leads to a choice not in their favor.
I must say that recently manufacturers have offered removable telescopic steering wheel stick for gyro scooters (for mini-segways it is non-removable).
The manufacturers of gyro scooters did everything to make their vehicle inexpensive and affordable for as many people as possible and, I must say, they succeeded, the world fell in love with these devices, they can be seen in any city.
Therefore, speaking about the features of choice, we will focus exclusively on gyro scooters. They are convenient for moving over short distances in urban areas, on asphalt paved walkways. In addition, they are quite convenient to transport when suddenly ending charging. Their battery charge is designed for 10 kilometers or more. One of the main parameters when choosing a hoverboard is the diameter of its wheels. For a child, it is better to buy a special children's gyro scooter with a wheel diameter of 4.5 (from 3 to 6 years) or 6.5 inches for an older age. Gyroscopes with 8-inch wheels are universal, women, children and men can ride them.
But 10-inch wheels are chamber and, in contrast to small wheels made of molded rubber, have better cushioning capabilities. Gyroscooters with such wheels are ideal for men.
When choosing a hovercraft, additional features that different models may differ should be taken into account. Such as:
- backlight - LED headlights or LED-backlight that automatically lights up when it gets dark or when entering a dark place,
- the presence or absence of built-in Bluetooth speakers that allow you to listen to music,
- water protection when fully immersed at 1 m or just allowing you to ride in rainy weather.
For the safety of movement, it is worthwhile to purchase knee pads, a helmet and elbow pieces, and for the convenience of storing the gyroscope - a special cover.
