The original Segway PT (Personal Transporter) is basically a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter invented by Dean Kamen and brought to market in 2001. The latest models, the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, are steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left and have a maximum speed of 12.5 mph, thanks to a pair of 2 horsepower (1.5 kW) Brushless DC electric motors with regenerative braking and a range of up to 15–25 mi (24–40 km), depending on terrain. Read more to see what happens when Brad DeBerti installs 37-inch truck tires on a Segway.
Did you know that the original Segway PT (referred to at the time as the Segway HT) was developed from the self-balancing iBOT wheelchair? That’s right, it was initially developed at University of Plymouth, in partnership with BAE Systems and Sumitomo Precision Products. Segway’s very first patent was filed in 1994 and then granted in 1997, followed by others, including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.
