Silly Questions!

It has been a while snce I had put up anything on my blog again :-( I guess we've been too busy with other things that kept us off-line for a while. Anyway, we're back and we've got 'stuff' to blog about! :-)

While out at Johsonville one afternoon, someone approached me; after asking about FrankenSeg and the technology behind Segways, he asked 'what is the silliest question you've every been asked?' And to be honest, the silliest one I've ever had, well, actually, I got it a few times, is 'what is wrong with walking?' It really puzzles me! To be honest, there is 'nothing wrong with walking! Or least as far as I know, maybe someone somewhere knows something I don't about walking! :-)

Another question that gets asked is: “is it true that you can't fall off a Segway?” That, of course, depends on how much you 'want' to fall off! Of course you can fall off a Segway and there are dozens of examples of people doing just that! More often than not they are deliberately putting themselves in danger by doing, what I consider to be, silly and moronic things. To be fair there are also clips of people actually getting into real accidents and falling off. But like a car or a bicycle, you can crash or fall off if you try hard enough! Try it if you don't believe me! :-)

The most difficult question to answer, maybe only because I am a 'tech' at heart and like my 'hard-data', is 'how far can you go?' The short answer is roughly 24km on a full charge around the Wellington area. I feel it is import to specify that because of the unique environment we have here, we have lots of hills! For example, when I go into the Wellington Central Business District, which is about 12.4 km from where I live, it'll 'cost' 2 battery bars to go that distance. However, the way home, same route, except that it is up hill will cost around 6 battey bars. And just to add to the fun, there are days when it 'costs' even less to get home when there is a good tail wind! Like in strong enough to push you and the Segway uphill fast enough of the speed limiter to kick in.

Not with-standing there are the questions as to “how is easy is it to learn?”, “where it can go” , “how steep a hill” and “how does it handle 'off-road'?” These of course, have all been answered here in this blog at some point in time, now in the past or in the future.

In general, people are curious about the technology that makes the Segway 'go'. I always make the time to stop, answer questions or explain how it all works. Others have even thanked me for allowing/letting them see a Segway 'in real life'.

FrankenSeg on the Western Hills

With FrankenSeg dressed up with the x2 kit and Betty ready for a bit of a adventure, we packed up and went off to explore a new track. However, Wellington wasn't really cooperating with us today, over cast skies and strong cold winds prevailed, but, the thirst for adventure was stronger!

A the end of the road near the Wilton Electricty sub-station is a 4-wheel drive track leading up to the Western Hills ridge.

From the top of this track one can see the wind farm out over in Makara to the East and Wellington to the South.

The track up ahead, narrow, very narrow!  Just past the top is a fork in the track, the left going towards Makara and the other to Mount Kaukau. Due to the worsening weather conditions we had to turn back not far past the summit.

And now a video of the trip down, enjoy!

A Time to Blog - Grenada North

Time passes quickly when you're busy! Have managed to do some really great off-road glides and haven't really sat down to blog about them, so here goes..........

Grenada North
North of the city of Wellington lies the suburb of Grenada North, at the end of Caribbean Drive there is a goat track which leads into the Belmont Regional park. Starting off as a 4x4 track it quickly becomes very steep and the track/path is mostly overgrown and almost non-existent.

We managed to go as far as the middle bit, halfway towards the Horokiwi Bridleway, but had to turn back as very steep and the track almost invisible under the growth of brush and grass. Maybe another day.....

On the way down we found another track to follow, and follow it we did! After a couple of kms we reached a dead-end and had to turn back.



The way back was just as fun and exhilarating with Betty leading the way back down to Grenada North.

FrankenSeg meets a BMX Track

Somewhere out there in the Internet is a video clip of some dude gliding an x2 on a Supercross track. It looked like fun so I went to find one here. The best I could find was a BMX track, not as 'clean' or as trimmed as the other one, but, fun! Feels like what the x2 was meant for...

We had visited this park on a previous trip, but now we're back equipped with a video camera :-)

And here's the first take on the track.......



After a quick trip around the area, well....we just had to come back :-)



And Little Black Dog took a breather and met some of the boys at the skate tube... :-)

Segway Regulatory Information

In New Zealand owners operate their Segway PT as a Mobility Device, the same category as a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair. Mobility Devices must be operated on footpaths whenever they exist and are reasonably accessible, otherwise along the side of the road with traffic (in which case road rules must be obeyed). On footpaths, operators must ride at a speed that does not endanger others, and give way to pedestrians.

Kids on Segway -

It was a fine day and off to the local school grounds we ventured.



Clarinda showing off her Segway skills!



And here's Isabella going for a cruise along the sports field.

Setton-Nossiter Park - Videos

Here are a couple of experimental videos done by strapping a video camera to the fender of the Segway.

Map of the surrounding area, Woodridge, Paparanigi and Newlands


View Seton-Nossiter Park in a larger map

And of course, the Little Black Dog (LBD)  aka Betty, features during random scenes within the videos!
Most of the track could be done with the i2 tires, but, it's more fun with the 'fatties' on!

This is a definitely a fun track to do again! Hopefully next time we'll get our hands on a helmet-cam of some sort, bearing in mind that in several places the branches hang kinda low. Come to think of it, it would be interesting to find out what wireless coverage there is down there.


Part I -



Part II - Yes, this is a narrow track! In a couple of places there is only a few inches to spare. Of course having LBD leading the way helped to keep us on track! :-)



Well, that's that for now!

Breaker Bay - Wellington, New Zealand

Type: Sandy beach; Walking track

Wheels: x2

Grade: Medium

Breaker Bay is another one of those hidden secrets around Wellingtons eastern bays. It features a sheltered beach at one end for swimmers and sunbathers (and the occasional nudists!), at other end is a popular dive entry point.  The car park near the Southern entrance to the bay is a great spot  from which one can 'chill out'  and watch the ferries and leisure boats go in and out of Wellington harbor.


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Much of the beach is made up of fine, wheel eating sand and can be quite taxing on the batteries, not to mention, interesting to glide through! Patience and good balance are important as a momentary lapse of attention can be painful.

This was shot from the car park and gives and 'over view' of the beach and the path leading up to the lookout.

One the interesting features here is the 'hole' in the rock which can be seen in the following clip.

Getting around on the sand was a real struggle for the Segway, chewing through a 'bar' per kilometer, but no problem for the Betty, the Little Black Dog, seen recharging at the top of the lookout.

Also a the top we found these guys watching over the entrance to Wellington harbor.

And here's a view from top........

And....Segway at rest!

Looking across to the houses around Breaker Bay and Eves Bay

Wakely Road, Newlands

Type: Walking Track

Wheels: i2 or x2

Grade: Easy

One of the greatest joys of having a Segway is being able to explore alternative ways and routes to get around. Wakely Road offers a scenic short cut down to the Ngauranga Gorge interchange, (1.5 km vs 2.4km going along the bicycle path next to the motorway).


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A view of Wellington a third of the way from the top of the track: 

The steep descent ahead and gravel all the way.

Looking back to where we came from...somehow it looks steeper from this angle!

At the exit at the Gorge.

Red Rocks - Part I

Wellington's South Coast is an outdoors persons playground and home to the South Coast Marine Reserve and Red Rocks Scientific Reserve. The Marine Conservation Centre gives access to both Red Rocks and the Te Kopahau Reserve, and offers the first views of the city from air or sea. It is full of wild life and costal birds as well as little blue penguins and fur seals, the fur seals congregate around Red Rocks (where the rocks are really red!) Activities out there range from walking and diving to four-wheel driving, and now .... Segway off-roading ;-)

One of the challenges of the South Coast is the ever changing landscape and weather, the track is never the same and seems to change every time you look away! This makes it a place where off-roaders, be they mountain bikes or 4x4s go for to play. And the perils are many, there is soft sand that eats wheels and sharp shards of hard rock that cut into your hands and tires, not to mention the wind! The wind that can sneak up on you starting as a gentle breeze into one that will literally blow you away.

Imagery ©2009 DigitalGlobe, Wellington City Council, GeoEye, Map data ©2009 MapData Sciences Pty Ltd - Terms of Use

Map

Terrain

Satellite

Of course this makes it the ideal place to test some of the capabilities of the Segway and the x2 tires.

Known as Pariwhero (Red Rocks) to the local iwi, this was popular place for fishing, paua collection and harvesting Bull Kelp. There is a legend about how Maui stained the surrounding rocks with his blood as bait for his hook prior to catching Te Ika a Maui - the North Island. Another legend tells us that the red of the rock comes from the blood of Kupe who had wounded himself on the surrounding paua.

Looking across the entrance to Wellington to Pencarrow Head.

A view of the snowy mountains over in the South Island and Devil's Gate.

Betty re-charging.....

Bluebridge ferry passing by on its way to Picton, South Island.

Another shot of Devils Gate in the distance

Kids on Segway

Here are some photos of the kids on the Segway, only took  a few minutes to teach them, and for obvious reasons they were confined to playing within Moonbeam. [Click on the images to get a larger picture]


Isabella in action 

Clarinda takes control

and Catalina joins in the fun!

If they can do it, anyone can!

Catch up

Been a very, very busy week for me! A lot of unexpected events had unfolded and I just haven't been able to keep up with everything!

Back to blogging real soon now.

How it Works - Segway Smart Motion™ - The science behind the technology

When Dean Kamen unveiled the Segway® Personal Transporter (PT) on ABC's Good Morning America, he described the machine as "the world's first self-balancing human transporter." When you look at the machine in motion, you get an idea of what he's talking about. Unlike a car, the Segway PT only has two wheels, yet it manages to stay upright by itself.

To move forward or backward on the Segway PT, the rider just leans slightly forward or backward. To turn left or right, the rider simply moves the LeanSteer frame left or right.

HOW DYNAMIC STABILIZATION WORKS
The ability to balance on its own is the most amazing thing about the Segway PT, and it is the key to its operation. To understand how this system works, it helps to consider Kamen's model for the device—the human body.

If you stand up and lean forward so that you are out of balance, you probably won't fall on your face. Your brain knows you are out of balance, because fluid in your inner ear shifts, so it triggers you to put your leg forward and stop the fall. If you keep leaning forward, your brain will keep putting your legs forward to keep you upright. Instead of falling, you walk forward, one step at a time.

The Segway PT does pretty much the same thing, except it has wheels instead of legs, a motor instead of muscles, a collection of microprocessors instead of a brain and a set of sophisticated tilt sensors and gyroscopic sensors instead of an inner-ear balancing system. Like your brain, the Segway PT knows when you are leaning forward. To maintain balance, it turns the wheels at just the right speed, so you move forward. Segway calls this behavior dynamic stabilization and has patented the unique process that allows the Segway PT to balance on just two wheels.

THE BRAINS AND THE BRAWN
The Segway PT is controlled by an intelligent network of sensors, mechanical assemblies, propulsion, and control systems. The second you step on, five micro-machined gyroscopic sensors and two accelerometers sense the changing terrain and your body position at 100 times per second – faster than the brain can think.

Segway PTs use a special solid-state angular rate sensor constructed using silicon. This type of gyroscopic sensor determines an object's rotation using the Coriolis effect on a very small scale.

Simply put, the Coriolis effect is the apparent turning of a moving object in relation to another rotating object. For example, an airplane trying to travel in a straight line can appear to turn because the Earth is rotating underneath it.

The Segway PT has five gyroscopic sensors, though it only needs three to detect leaning forward or backward (termed “pitch”), leaning to the left or right (termed "roll") and steering to the left or right (termed “yaw”). The extra sensors add redundancy, to make the product more reliable. All of this leaning and steering information, as well as information from additional tilt sensors, is passed on to the brain of the device.

The brains and brawn are made up of two identical and redundant sets of microprocessor-based electronic controller circuit boards, batteries and motor windings that operate together and share the load of driving the wheels. The Segway PT has a number of additional onboard microprocessors. The vehicle requires this much brain power because it needs to quickly make precise adjustments to keep from falling over. If one controller board (or it’s associated battery, motor windings or wiring) breaks down, the other set will take over all functions so that the system can notify the rider of a failure and shut down gracefully.

The microprocessors run an advanced piece of software that controls the Segway PT. This program monitors all of the stability information coming from the gyroscopic sensors and adjusts the speed of the electric motors in response to this information. The electric motors, which are powered by a pair of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, can turn each of the wheels independently at variable speeds.

When the PT leans forward, the motors drive both wheels forward to keep the PT from tilting over. When the PT leans backward, the motors drive both wheels backward. When the rider moves the LeanSteer frame to turn left or right, the motors drive one wheel faster than the other, or if traveling slowly enough, drive the wheels in opposite directions, so that the Segway PT rotates (steers). When under way, the Segway PT will generate precisely the right radius of turn so that your lean is balanced by the centripetal acceleration generated by the turn.

Just Thinking of Pimping my Ride - SegVator® SegTrax™.

OK, so I not quite sure why I would need to get one of these, but I want one! 8-)
The prototype SegVator SegTrax --- the *all* terrain mod for your Segway, go where you couldn't/wouldn't before! SeVator have come up all sorts of good stuff for the Segway, including the SegPlow for those colder climates.

I'd like to know how far you could actually go with the standard Lithium-Ion battery packs. Pr does it have a different power source?

Gliding Around Paraparaumu

Aerial view of Kapiti Island

On Sunday, while of the kids were lost somewhere in SecondLife I decided to take a quick glide around. Today I tackled two of the steepest streets in know of in Paraparaumu, Panorama Drive and Riwai Street. A what day it was! ( Just a day for a daydream, just could not get that song out of my head!)

Looking down on Paraparaumu from the top of Panorama Drive

Not missing a beat (or growling if you prefer) the Segway just glode along allowing me the luxury of enjoying the sights and the glorious weather that day. 

Aboves is a view of Kapiti Island, a huge bird sanctuary set aside for the protection of native plants and animals. It is located 5km west of the township of Paraparaumu. Humans activity on the island is kept to a minimum and all visitors have obtain permits from the Department of Conservation (DOC) before they can set foot on the island.

But unlike other reserves (marine or otherwise) Kapiti Island is close enough to be easily accessed, this makes it an excellent place to be able to see birds that may not been usually seen on the mainland. Maybe one day, I'll get to take the Segway there! :-)

Coming down the steep hills was interesting, for some silly reason it is not as scarry going up than it is down.  A quick glide up to the water tower atop of Riwai Street and then back down thru Kaitawa reserve before going home for dinner.

And a song to sign off .............

A Bit of Fun - Riding a Segway on a BMX Track

Just for a bit of fun I took the Segway and Booper down to Ian Galloway Park, in Wilton, Wellington.

Once upon a time this area used to be known as the Wilton or Western Tip, and close in 1973.

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Today it boasts five sportsfiields used for ruby during winter and summer sports such as softball and soccer. It also has a BMX track and a dog exercise area.

Nothing utlra challenging for the Segway, but definitely a good place to take beginner to practice and learn. It was also a good place to zip around.  Even Booper a bit of work out chasing the Segway around the track.

Taking on some of those climbs was reminder/re-enforcement that tackling climbs with a Segway is very, very different than when you take on the same with another other vehicle. It is not momentum that gets you up (or down) but making use of the torque provided by the electric motors. And when you get it wrong, the 'Stick Shake Warning' (shakes the handlebar and make growling noises)  comes on to tell you.

Come down is very much like doing the same in a 4x4, you let the engine control the descent and just gently steer when you have to.

Off the Beaten Track#2 Seton-Nossiter Park Newlands

Tucked away deep in the middle of the Newlands-Woodridge-Paparangi suburbs of Wellington is 30 hectares of a protected natural reserve. Originally named Belmont Gully it was changed before the turn of the century to Seton-Nossiter park.

There are 3 'entrances' to this area from Mark Avenue, from Bushland Grove and from Colchester Crescent. On this expedition we decided to take the Colchester entrance. As luck would have it, this proved to be the most challenging of the three being both steep and exposed to the harsh icy winds we were having that day.


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A view as we headed down the steep and rocky track....... fortunately the x2 tires are well suited to this steep track. I am constantly impressed with the way that the Segway navigates along the narrow track! Altho one disadvantage is the one must watch out for low hanging branches and stuff (ouch! a few times).

It was easy to get lost in thought down there, tucked away from all signs of the civil world not too far above us. And yet all we could hear (apart from the occasional sounds of the Booper crashing around the bushes) where the birds in trees and the whisper of a gentle breeze.

While we took a break this little fellow came along and kept us company for a while. Nice thing about the Segway is that it is relatively quiet and the native life doesn't seem to mind us gliding by.


At the middle of the park, there is a clearing where there are park benches and access to the Bushlands Road entrance.

Going up towards the Bushland Groveentrance again gave us some great views of part of the park below.

A view from the top towards the Mark Avenue, Paparangi entrance.

Another shot of the park below.

Looking across at Woodridge.

Having enjoyed that track, so rather than return to we went back the way we came, back down to the depths of the valley below.

A view of the from the bottom looking up towards Colchester Crescent. 

A bit of Fun - Riding a Segway on a Motorcross Track

Here's something I need to do, ride my Segway on  supercross track. Just have to find one near by!

Otaki Beach

Last Friday we took a trip up to Otaki to visit a teacher at the Otaki Health Camp and School. This gave us the opportunity to take the Segway for a bit of glide along the beach.


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With the x2 kit on gliding on the dry or wet sand was a breeze! Despite the gale force winds and chilly weather we had to at least make it down to the river mouth.

Along the way we ran across this little fellow who immediately took off as we approached! Looked as if he'd been taking a bit of a break from the choppy seas. So we left him to go his way as went ours.

Due to the overcast conditions and the wind, it was hard to take any decent photos, so, we must return here soon! :-)



Got back to Paraparaumu early enough to pick the kids up from school, in fact I had time to spare so I took the opportunity of checking out the little place that sells electric golf carts. More on that later.......

On the way back to the school I had to pass by and visit Dayle at Gold Coast Mechanical (great guys, good service).

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And of course I had to let Dayle have a try of the Segway!

Great day out, must do it again soon. Have to go back and take some decent picture of Otaki!

Segway i2 Platform Exposed

Here is a cut away view of the Segway i2 platform, the electronic brain of the machine.

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Single Wheeled Version of The Segway

No to be out done, an Slovenian inventor Aleksander Polutnik, has come up with the Enicycle - a single wheeled Segway. And very much like the Segway it relies on multiple gyroscopes and a computer to balance (makes 100 adjustments every minute) as well as the lean forward/backward for movement. Steering, on the other hand, is hands-free and relies on the rider to 'push' the foot rests in the appropriate direction - similar to how the lean steer works in the i2 and x2 Segway models.

The current prototype has the following specifications:
- 15 km/h max speed
- 30 km range on a single charge
- 5 hours recharge time
- and weighs 28 kg

But will it surpass the Segway? At the moment there have been only 2 made so far, initially designed so that the inventor could keep up with his unicycling partner. And unlike the Segway it appears to be easier to fall off from! 8-) No costs have been published yet and real production has yet to begin. Like all new ideas and technology, public acceptance will initially be an upward battle - but then, over time it too may be accepted and wide spread.

Video Link

How Far Can You Go?

The question most frequently asked about the Segway is 'how far can it go?' As simple as the question may seem to answer it is not!

The furthest distance you could go would depend upon:

• the terrain - flat, hilly
• the environment - the wind in Wellington can make a big difference!
• what tires are being used - the x2 tires are alot heavier and wider than the i2 ones

All of the maximum distance figures listed on the official Segway site are based on flat surfaces unlike the suburbran Wellington or plain old Wellington for that matter! 8-) So of the sidewalks are ....lets just say at times it is safer to take a  chance on the road.

You mileage/kilometerage will vary, for example a 9.5km trip from the city to homebase used about 5 bars, the return trip, however only used 2 bars. I should point out that the trip home was uphill versus the return trip which was mostly down hill.

On one occasion I even had a tail wind blow/push me and the Segway up hill at a speed of 16 to 18 km/h! yes, the wind can be your friend and also your enemy, especially when it's blowing into you.

To be continued......

Where is all began(?)

Every idea had to start somewhere, is this where .....

Order your Indie Tech: Segway Beta T-Shirt now!

Off the Beaten Track #1 - Newlands

One of the joys of a Segway besides being able to get around is to get around to those places off the beaten track. One such track starts at the corner of Wakely Road and Lyndfield Lane in Newlands and ends at the bottom of Centenial Highway near Glover Street.

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Although it is a short (1.4km) track, it is not without its perils. Most of the track is of very loose gravel and is very steep in many places. In hind site I should have had the x2 tires on instead of the less aggressive i2s. And did I mention it is a steep and long drop if you wander too close to the edge?! 8-)

Getting back to home base was via the sidewalk along the Ngauranga Gorge and then up and over the Newland flyover.

Te Onepoto Bay, Porirua

With our x2 wheels and fenders fitted we went off to explore Te Onepoto Bay area. This is a quiet little bay just across from State Highway 1 in Porirua just North of Wellington City on the Titahi Bay peninsular.

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The first part of the trip was easy going along the shoreline until we came to a fork in the road, one leading to a style and the other, a gravel track going up hill. Being adventurous we headed up the hill, at the top of which we were greeted by a fantastic view of the golf course below and on the other side a wonder view of Paremata and Papkowhai.

Further up we came up to another style before everything stated going downhill, literally! Instead of a walking track we were instead faced with less than a dirt track and ruts as deep as .... well, there were deep! This 200 meters stretch of 'path' took us over an hour to negotiate, but we did it and now that we know that it is there we will avoid it in the future!

Finally down at Onehunga Bay, we took a well deserved break. The trip back was mainly across gravel and no tricky bits until we got to the other side of the style that had blocked us earlier.

The only way to get around this was either to go all the way back and find an alternative route or .......

as luck would have it, there was just enough dry mud to get around on the watery side.

It took a bit of too-ing and fro-ing and in 5 minutes we were back on our way!