[Ferretlover]

This sounds pretty cool! WSJ <<<

APRIL 6, 2009, 11:15 P.M. ET GM, Segway to Make Vehicle By SHARON TERLEP:
General Motors Corp. is teaming with Segway Inc., maker of the upright, self-balancing scooters, to build a new type of two-wheeled vehicle designed to move easily through congested urban streets. The machine, which GM says it aims to develop by 2012, would run on batteries and use wireless technology to avoid traffic backups and navigate cities.

The struggling auto maker, surviving on a government lifeline, is looking to generate enthusiasm for its increasingly uncertain future ahead of the New York auto show this week.

GM has slashed product-development programs, advertising and spending on auto-show events. But it will take to the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday to show off a prototype of the vehicle, called PUMA, for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility. [...]

[TheDude]

Wireless technology in a car? How does that work? I've seen villains in spy movies use remote controlled cars to kill people. Guess they mean you can watch your videos on your iPod while you drive...or?

It's the 1966 Studebaker!

GM didn't say how much the machines would cost, but research chief Larry Burns said owners would spend one-third to one-fourth of the cost of a traditional vehicle.

Meaning what, $8k? Or you could pick up a used Trek on Craig's List for $50.

[Kris]

I've already got a 2 wheeled urban vehicle, it's called a bicycle.

When I saw this thing on CNN all I could think was Wall-E. Surely that future when we are all too fat to walk is just around the corner.

[TheAntiDoomer]

That's just one of my problems with the segway. It is just as slow and clumsy as a bike. You still have to lock it up to something when you walk away. And worse. You can't go up hills.

huh??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U31Mzqh-SJI

[Maddog78]

Pathetic. Buy a motorcycle.

[Daniel_Plainview]

The machine, which GM says it aims to develop by 2012,

[...]

GM planning ahead to 2012 ....... That's funny.

[copious.abundance]

It's so cute!

[copious.abundance]

Pathetic. Buy a motorcycle.

Motorcycles don't have a little roof-thing over your head.

[TheAntiDoomer]

Pathetic. Buy a motorcycle.

Motorcycles don't have a little roof-thing over your head.

not too mention take a bit more skill to drive than this.

[TheDude]

Pathetic. Buy a motorcycle.

Motorcycles don't have a little roof-thing over your head.

Genius - note that this SegGM construct also appears to lack doors. It's simple enough to put fairings or roofs on two-wheel vehicles too:

Green Car Congress: GM And Segway Partner on Urban Personal Mobility Electric Vehicle

This is a dead end. I see it being used on a sidewalk, which is a nuisance to pedestrians. And it doesnt' look like it will spend much time on the road, so there may not be a real place for this vehicle.

A scooter or bike with electric hubs would work much better, and the step up would be a scooter with a roof, like a BMW C1.

LOL
GM management must be smoking Crack. That's the only thing that can explain this.

[copious.abundance]

I think the Segway thingy looks better. Plus the seats look waaaay more comfortable.

[TheAntiDoomer]

I think the Segway thingy looks better. Plus the seats look waaaay more comfortable.

Agreed, give me a regular seat over a prostate killing bike anyday.

[copious.abundance]

I'm guessing the cheater-wheel is used when you stop the vehicle and turn it off. If you look closely there's one in the back, too.

[Maddog78]

The first time someone runs into me with one of these pieces of crap someone's going to jail.
Them or me.
How much you want to bet they are also talking on a cel phone when they run into me?

[The_Toecutter]

GM should scrap this ugly concept and produce the Lean Machine instead:

http://www.3wheelers.com/gmlean.html

0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds and 200 mpg!

[timmac]

With all the billions in bailout $$ we have giving GM and this is what they come up with, a electric bicycle for 2, I have seen such far better future electric cars in Japan and now that $2000 new car in India that gets up to 50 mpg, what has happened to those executive/engineers of our big 3, are they this far behind in future tech or have they just got lazy with our billions of bailout bucks...

GM you are a dead company, and I can say this with out predigest because I own a Chevy truck..