DeKa Slingshot 1

[Gumpmaster]

I've always been a fan of Dean Kamen and his inventions.

What do you think of his new project, the "Slingshot". It's a combination Stirling cycle electrical generator/ water purification device. It's small enough to be portable pretty much anywhere on the planet. It reportedly burns anything (including cow dung).


It looks like it may be a quite useful device for developing countries (although watch someone bash all of the new greenhouse gas emissions from burning cow dung)

On a side note, where did the Segway go wrong? Why isn't it more popular?

 

[KENAT]

OK,I was harsh on segway. It's great for people who can't walk long distances but can stand for a reasonable period of time and don't like to be sat in a wheel chair.

So that's really cool but I'm not sure how big that market is.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

KENAT,

No, dispite the few small markets for the Segway, I completely agree with you. It's clearly not a disruptive technology.

 

[JStephen]

The biggest problem with the Segway was overhype in the first place.

It balances frontwards and backwards. That's a cool achievement. But otherwise, it doesn't do anything a little rechargeable $300 scooter doesn't do. The idea that it would revolutinize transportation was ludicrous, on the par of thinking roller skates will do so.

One of the things that hurt is that the inventors envisioned it as a replacement for walking, but legally, it's a replacement for car. Which means you can't use it on a lot of sidewalks, etc.

Basically, the Segway gives you all the disadvantages of a bicycle, but without the exercise, and at a much higher cost. If you're lazy, but still want to get rained on, get sweaty, go places slowly, get run over, have your means of transportation stolen, and pay $3,000 to do so, the Segway is for you. Otherwise, get a bike or a car.