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Segway’s recent discontinuation of its Personal Transporter (Segway PT) after nearly two decades offers lessons for other micromobility devices like e-scooters, Onewheels, electric unicycles (EUCs), and e-skateboards.
Reasons for Segway’s Failure:
- Public Perception: Despite early hype, the Segway was perceived more as a novelty than a serious mode of transportation, resulting in limited sales.
- Unique Design: The Segway’s innovative design was perhaps too advanced and unfamiliar for the public, making it challenging for widespread acceptance.
- High Price: With an initial cost of $5,000, the Segway wasn’t competitively priced for a device with a top speed of only around 10 mph.
Lessons for Micromobility Devices:
- Balance Innovation with Familiarity: Embrace designs and riding styles that are somewhat familiar to people. Devices like e-scooters, e-bikes, EUCs, and Onewheels build on established concepts.
- Pricing Matters: Segway’s high price deterred many potential buyers. Competitive pricing is crucial in the micromobility market.
- Appealing to a Broader Audience: Segway’s targeting of a niche market limited its appeal. E-scooters and hoverboards, despite their shortcomings, became popular because they catered to children’s desire for fun.
The Future of Micromobility:
The death of the Segway PT doesn’t spell the end of micromobility. E-scooters, EUCs, Onewheels, e-skateboards, and e-bikes are flourishing as options for affordable and fun transportation, recreation, and sports.
- Patents Live On: While the Segway device is no more, the patents related to self-balancing technology continue to influence other devices.
- Ninebot-Segway’s Focus: The company’s S-Pod and commitment to scooters reflect its goal of advancing in the mobility sector.
- Pioneers and Settlers: Segway served as a pioneer in micromobility but encountered many challenges. Others will follow, and some will succeed due to the lessons learned from Segway’s pioneering efforts.
In a growing micromobility world, various options, including e-scooters, EUCs, Onewheels, and e-skateboards, will continue to compete and evolve, and it’s yet to be seen which will emerge as the dominant force in personal electric mobility.
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Thanks man…for the thoughtful reflections on a high-tech cultural icon. I worked for Apple for almost a decade in the 90s and Segway was THE Mac of the personal transportation world… and along w the high price and exclusive image…like Apple…Segway struggled to survive. RIP.