It’s a fact, the history of humanity has continued to accelerate since the invention of the wheel.
In 1999, Dean Kamen revolutionized travel by inventing the very first self-balancing scooter from the Segway PT brand.
The gyropod is a single-seater electric vehicle with 2 parallel wheels on which the user stands to move forward. Thanks to its ultra-advanced mechanism, it takes no more than 5 minutes to master driving.
If the purchase of this vehicle based on cutting-edge technology may seem complex to you, we have created this guide for you to help you in your choice.
How does a Segway work?
The great innovation of the Segway type gyropod is that it works using a self-balancing system. This gyroscopic system allows the user to be able to control the device with the weight of their body.
Concretely, the sensors and the 5 gyroscopes placed at the heart of the device make it possible to detect body movements and use them to move the machine forward. This complex system makes it possible to obtain perfect and automatic balance for the Segway user. In fact, whether you are stationary or moving, you are sure not to lose your balance or fall. And this regardless of the speed at which we are driving.
Likewise, it is easy to turn right and left by using only your body weight to steer the machine by bowing slightly.
The gyroscopic system is so reliable (thanks to 2 powerful integrated computers) that it can respond immediately to the slightest inclination of the driver's body. You lean forward to move the gyropod forward, backward to slow down and you orient your body and the handlebars to turn in any direction.
All this technology makes the Segway a particularly maneuverable and safe electric vehicle.
The different types of Segways
If the driving principle remains the same all the time, there are different ranges of self-balancing scooters to adapt to all uses.
The classic Segways
Classic Segway models are equipped with 14 to 17 inch size wheels which are suitable for use on urban roads or on country roads that are not too rough.
They can reach a maximum speed of 18 km/h on average thanks to a 1000 W to 1800 W motor.
But the main criterion which characterizes these self-balancing scooters dedicated to occasional leisure activities remains the battery capacity. Indeed, if the Segway is not used every day, it is not necessary to opt for a high-end model with a large capacity battery.
With a battery around 520W you will have a device capable of offering you a range of 30 to 35 km with a single charge. This is more than enough for leisure use.
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
The Pulsar Airwheel S3
All-terrain Segways
In more high-end self-balancing scooters we often find all-terrain models equipped with bigger wheels as well as more powerful batteries.
Indeed, to navigate more difficult terrain and slopes of up to 35 degrees it is necessary to have powerful batteries from 700 to 750W . They allow you to drive up to 20km/h.
These batteries also have a high autonomy which makes them electric vehicles perfectly suited to going to the workplace, taking long walks, or even guided tours in tourism.
In general, the all-terrain Segway is equipped with 19-inch notched wheels and weighs between 40 and 50 kg to support a load weight of 150 kg .
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
The handlebar-less Segways
Finally, there is one last type of Segway which are the gyropods without sleeves or without handlebars. They can be included in the category of gyropods because they operate according to the same gyroscopic principle.
Popularized by the Mini Pro model from the Ninebot brand, it is a device intended for leisure or small transport tasks in the professional world (in warehouses for example).
They are equipped with a battery which allows you to benefit from a autonomy of more than 20km as well as a speed of 18 km/h for only 4 hours of cooldown.
The handleless self-balancing scooter works a bit like a hoverboard with steering control from the knees . By tilting your knees you turn the machine to the right or left.
On the other hand, the nice thing about the handleless Segway is being able to sit on the central seat. This can be practical for daily use.
Below is our selection of the two best vehicles of this type currently.
Conclusion on How to choose a Segway type Segway
As you will have understood, the Segway market has grown significantly since the launch of the first Segway.
We therefore advise you to take a close look at the characteristics of the products that you can find on the internet or in stores.
It is important to select a Segway based on your needs and not just base your choice on an inexpensive Segway or on high-end features.