Machine Design safety: A Segway electric vehicle?

[pannoowau]

The Segway two-wheeled-self balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen and used for short distance personal transportation reportedly travels at 12.5 mph. The vehicle is controlled and powered with computers and electric motors. Lean forward you move forward. Lean backwards, you move backwards. Lean the handlebars to the left or right, and you move in that direction.When you need a brake, the motor acts as a dynamometer. Review the design of the Segway and address, the question as to whether the Seway conceptually is a reasonable safe design using the following categories:

a The usefulness and desirability of the product
b) The availability of other and safer products to meet the same or similar needs.
c) The likelihood of injury and its probable seriousness.
d) The obviousness of the danger.

[tai38]

The Segway two-wheeled-self balancing electric vehicle invented by Dean Kamen and used for short distance personal transportation reportedly travels at 12.5 mph. The vehicle is controlled and powered with computers and electric motors. Lean forward you move forward. Lean backwards, you move backwards. Lean the handlebars to the left or right, and you move in that direction.When you need a brake, the motor acts as a dynamometer. Review the design of the Segway and address, the question as to whether the Seway conceptually is a reasonable safe design using the following categories:

a The usefulness and desirability of the product
b) The availability of other and safer products to meet the same or similar needs.
c) The likelihood of injury and its probable seriousness.
d) The obviousness of the danger.

a. a market would not exist if there is no demand for it. so, obviously it is desirable.
especially by security and other types of patrol.

b. other safer products include devices with no electrical. such as a bike. there is no electrical failure, which is more common than mechanical.

c. segways are about 8 inches off the ground, so height is almost negligible. as far as speed goes, it is capable of a little faster than a sprint. with proper safety equipment, seriousness is far less sever.

d. danger includes inopportune reaction timing, user negligence, balance issues, and device failures.