Segway wheels out electric roller skates
LOS ANGELES – As many cities in the nation wrestle with issues involving electric scooters this summer, Segway just gave them something new to worry about: electric roller skates.
The company – known for those twin-wheeled personal transporters introduced 16 years ago – debuted the Segway Drift W1 electric skates on the roof of a hotel here. They allow riders to zip around on two moving pads.
Yes, pads. Riders wear their own shoes, which don’t bolt to the skates like traditional roller or inline skates. They stand atop the skates, feet held in place by rubber-like pads. Instead of four wheels per skate, there is only one. Lean in any direction and the skates start rolling with barely any human effort required.
The battery can last anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour. The maximum speed for the skates is 7.5 miles per hour. With the high-power motor, people can enjoy a smooth ride. The tires on the wheels under each pad make it easier for riders to steer.
There’s even a little light beneath the pads so drivers can avoid riders at night.
The product was demonstrated during the same summer in which electric scooters from companies such as Lime and Bird are taking over downtowns across the country. Compared with scooters, the skates are easier to carry. But when hefted, each skate felt as heavy as a medium-size watermelon.
And, at least initially, they’ll be pricey. The skates are being priced at $399. Customers can preorder the skates from the Segway website or wait until the product is available on the company’s website or other online retailers in August.
While Segway is still a household name for American customers, its ownership has changed. The company was acquired by Ninebot, a privately held Chinese firm based in Beijing, in 2015.