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'Segway' to the Future
"It" is finally here. Prior to its recent debut, many people wondered what the nickname "it" was. After a year of intense speculation, inventor, physicist and entrepreneur Dean Kamen unveiled the Segway Human Transporter in December, 2001. The Segway could change the transportation possibilities of millions for people around the world. Designed to use existing roadways and sidewalks, the Segway is expected to significantly lower fuel costs for commuters. In addition, the Segway will cause no additional air pollution and may even alter the scope of social interactions. Already being utilized by several corporate customers, the Segway is expected to be available for consumers by late 2002.
Read about the Segway at the company's web site .
In this lesson, you will explain how Dean Kamen fits the definition of an entrepreneur and inventor. You will also conduct a benefit/cost analysis of the Segway compared to the automobile. You will analyze some of the social and legal implications of the Segway. After examining the major implications of the Segway, you will decide if Dean Kamen is truly an entrepreneur and innovator.
Part 1
Print the Segway to the Future Worksheet to use to answer the questions and fill in the charts.
An entrepreneur is a person who assumes the risk of organizing other resources to produce goods and services. After reading about Dean Kamen answer the following questions.
- How do you think he fits the definition of an entrepreneur and inventor?
- Identify or name some of his previous inventions.
- Why do entrepreneurs take on these risks?
Read "Kamen's 'IT' is a scooter, after all " a USA Today article and answer these following questions.
- How are some companies already using the Segway in their businesses?
- How do you think the Segway will affect people's urban transportation choices?
Part 2
| Commuting costs can be very high for some workers. |
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| Using 5 cents per day as the estimated electricity cost of the Segway and expected gasoline of $1 per day for fuel cost of an automobile, $3 per day for insurance, and $10 per day for parking compare the Segway's fuel costs to that of the auto over a day, week, month and year time periods. | ||||||||||||||||
| Create a bar graph with a two-color theme with key giving side-by-side comparisons of auto and Segway for each separate time unit. | |
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Units for time are on the horizontal axis (day, week, month and year). Units for fuel costs in dollars are on the vertical axis. |
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Does the bar graph clearly state the cost savings of the Segway over the auto? What is the net savings of operating a Segway over 5 years for one daily commute? |
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Although the Segway has lower fuel costs than the auto, travel times by Segway might be higher than travel times with an automobile. Using a projected 10-mile commute (5 miles each way), the travel time is about 25 minutes each way on the Segway or a total of 50 minutes per day. In an urban setting with a 30-mph speed limit and traffic, intersections and lights, a 20-mph average in an automobile is a reasonable estimate. |
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This would give a 15 minute travel time each way for the same 5 miles or 30 minutes per day in an auto. Using the following equation, calculate the commuting time difference between and automobile and the Segway on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. (50 minutes - 30 minutes) X number of days traveled |
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| Is this a fair comparison? Can you think of any reasons why the projected time loss using the Segway might be less? | ||||||||||||||||
Part 3
Should cities offer tax savings or other incentives to Segway users for relieving the strain on urban roadways and reducing air pollution?
Some cities have already stated resistance to the prospect of Segway operators on their sidewalks and streets. Discuss what governmental objections to the Segway might be.
Assuming you live in an urban setting, list several ways in which you could fit the Segway into your lifestyle.
Even if the Segway has lower fuel costs, some people might still prefer to drive an automobile. Can you think of people in our society who would be more likely to purchase a Segway?
After looking at various aspects of the Segway, does it appear that Dean Kamen is an entrepreneur? Since an entrepreneur assumes some risk, what risk do you see Dean Kamen assuming with the Segway?
Innovation is defined as the introduction of something new or creative. After reading about the Segway, do you consider it to be innovative? Why?
Dean Kamen is described as an entrepreneur and inventor. Can you think of other Americans in the last 10-20 years who might also be described that way?
Write an individual essay offering solutions, processes and ideas to integrate the Segway into 21st century United States or even into international use.
Create an advertisement showing the benefits of the Segway.
