“It!” “Ginger!” “Jetson’s scooter!” These were early names given the revolutionary Segway HT (human transporter), a technology shrouded in secrecy and mystery until it was launched with much fanfare in late 2001. Dean Kamen, the inventor of Segway HT, has also developed other high-tech innovations. The Segway HT relies on computers and gyroscopes to control its speed, balance, and direction. It weighs about 36 kg and can travel up to 24 km/h on a six-hour battery charge. A commercial version is expected to sell for U.S.$8000, while the consumer version may sell for U.S.$3000 when it becomes available.

Go to www.segway.com and view both the consumer and business sections of the site.

1		What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of the Segway HT?
2		For businesses, what applications could the Segway HT be used for?
3		Why would consumers want to purchase a Segway HT?