Segway Introduces The S-Pod

Putting The Egg in Segway

Segway+Introduces+The+S-Pod

Emma Roe

 On January 3, Segway introduced the S-Pod, an egg-shaped form of transportation that appears to resemble that of a hover chair from Pixar’s Wall-E. Powered by the same gyroscopic self-balancing technology as a traditional Segway, this new product offers an alternative for wheelchair users and people who can’t or don’t want to stand for long periods of time.

According to The Verge, Segway says that the S-Pod was inspired by the gyro sphere from Jurassic World. It was also stated that chair’s technology will always keep the chair level and that the two-wheeled setup will allow for quick changes in direction even while it has stopped.

Unlike a traditional Segway, the S-Pod is controlled by using a little joystick on the right side of the seat. The wheelchair is said to be capable of reaching a speed of 24 miles per hour, but for public safety, limits controlling the speed can and will be set to prevent accidents and disarray. The chair is also said to have a range of 40 miles and has the capability to climb angles up to 10 degrees.

Parking this device is fairly easy as well as safe. According to Wired, to stop, simply shift the chair’s center of gravity. The public is told that they shouldn’t worry about the 5 ft tall chair, which is also said to weigh 330.7 pounds, tipping over as it will always stay level

Unveiled at the annual Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas on January 5, the S-Pod caught the eyes of many and was said to debut during the third quarter of 2020, and that the company plans to sell their new wheelchair to the public in 2021.

In response to Segway, the Chinese Mobility Giant, a rival company, announced a line up of electric-motor scooters and mopeds back in December before the unveiling. The S-Pod could quite possibly replace golf carts, or non-motorized wheelchairs for people with limited mobility who need to navigate high-traffic areas.

Although Segway has refused to tell anyone how much each chair will cost, their new product is most likely to feature in theme parks, airports, and eventually, maybe even cities and campuses.