Editing Segway (section)

===Independent company===
The Segway PT, referred to during development and initial marketing as the Segway HT, was developed from the self-balancing [[iBOT]] wheelchair which was initially developed at [[University of Plymouth]], in conjunction with [[BAE Systems]] and [[Sumitomo Precision Products]].<ref name=Ginger>{{cite book|last1=Kemper|first1=Steve|title=Code name Ginger : the story behind segway and Dean Kamen's quest to invent a new world|date=2003|publisher=Harvard Business School Press|location=Boston, Mass.|isbn=978-1578516735|page=27|access-date=23 June 2016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1BG7YLR8aWcC&q=fred+upstairs}}</ref> The first patent of human transporter was filed in 1994 and granted in 1997,<ref>{{US Patent|5701965|US patent 5,701,965 Human transporter}}</ref> followed by others,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf|title=Segway Patent Information|publisher=Segway Inc.|access-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721124219/http://www.segway.com/patents.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> including one submitted in June 1999 and granted in October 2001.<ref>{{US Patent|6302230|US Patent 6,302,230 Personal mobility vehicles and methods}}</ref>

Prior to its introduction, a news report<ref>[http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20218 What Is 'IT'? Book Proposal Heightens Intrigue About Secret Invention Touted as Bigger Than the Internet or PC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010617162321/http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=20218|date=17 June 2001}} Inside.com, January 2001</ref> about a proposal for a book about the invention, development, and financing of the Segway PT <ref>{{cite book|title=Reinventing the Wheel: A Story of Genius, Innovation, and Grand Ambition|isbn=1578516730|year=2003|first=Steve | last=Kemper|publisher=Harvard Business School Press }}</ref> led to speculation about the device and its importance. [[John Doerr]] speculated that it would be more important than the Internet.<ref name="time2001"/> ''[[South Park]]'' devoted [[The Entity (South Park)|an episode]] to making fun of the hype before the product was released. [[Steve Jobs]] was quoted as saying that it was "as big a deal as the PC",<ref name="time2001">{{cite magazine|date=2 December 2001|title=Reinventing the Wheel|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,186660,00.html|access-date=11 March 2009}}</ref> (he later expressed a negative opinion, saying that it "sucked", presumably referring to "the design" – but also referred to the (presumably high) price point, asking, "You're ''sure'' your market is upscale consumers for transportation?")<ref>{{cite web | url=http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3533.html | title=Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos meet "Ginger" | first=Steve | last=Kemper | publisher=Harvard Business School Working Knowledge | date=16 June 2003}}</ref> The device was unveiled on 3 December 2001, following months of public speculation,<ref name="speculation">{{cite episode |url=http://www.cc.com/events/month-of-zen/live.html |title=January 26, 2000 |series=[[The Daily Show]] |date=26 July 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702125349/http://www.cc.com/events/month-of-zen/live.html |archive-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> in [[Bryant Park]], [[New York City]], on the [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] morning program ''[[Good Morning America]]'',<ref name=Machrone>{{cite news |last=Machrone |first=Bill |url=http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,97229,00.asp |title=Ginger Unveiled-It's a Scooter! |newspaper=Extremetech |publisher=Extremetech.com |date=3 December 2001 |access-date=11 March 2009 |archive-date=24 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424051557/http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,97229,00.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/12/1203segway-unveiled |title=Wired.com retrospective |access-date=2009-04-12 | first=Dylan |last=Tweney}}</ref> with the first units delivered to customers in early 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/about-segway/segway-milestones.php |title=About Segway – Who We Are |publisher=Segway Milestones|access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318154531/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/segway-milestones.php |archive-date=18 March 2009}}</ref>

The original Segway PT models featured three speed settings: {{convert|6|mph}}, {{convert|8|mph}} with faster turning, and {{convert|10|mph}}.<ref name="Segway, Official Site"/> Steering of early versions was controlled using a [[twist grip]] that varied the speeds of the two motors. The range of the p-Series was {{convert|6|-|10|mi}} on a fully charged nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery with a recharge time of four to six hours. In September 2003, the Segway PT was recalled, because if users ignored repeated low-battery warnings on the PTs, it could ultimately lead them to fall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03553.html |title=Segway LLC Recall to Upgrade Software on Segway Human Transporters |publisher=Cpsc.gov |date=26 September 2003 |access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922233555/https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03553.html |archive-date=22 September 2008}}</ref>

In August 2006, Segway Inc. discontinued all previous models and introduced the i2 and x2 products, which were steered by leaning the handlebars to the right or left,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/model_i2.html |title=Segway i2 |publisher=Segway.com |access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107194400/http://segway.com/personal-transporter/model_i2.html |archive-date=7 January 2009}}</ref> had a maximum speed of {{convert|12.5|mph|abbr=on}} from a pair of {{convert|2|hp|spell=in|adj=on}} [[Brushless DC electric motor]]s with [[regenerative braking]] and a range of up to {{convert|15|-|25|mi|abbr=on}}, depending on terrain, riding style, and state of the batteries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.segway.com/segway/lithium_ion.html |title=Enhanced range, courtesy of lithium-ion|access-date=29 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017090302/http://www.segway.com/segway/lithium_ion.html |archive-date=17 October 2006 }}</ref> Recharging took eight to ten hours. The i2 and x2 also introduced the wireless InfoKey which could show mileage and a trip odometer, and put the vehicle into security mode, which locked the wheels and set off an alarm if it was moved, and could also be used to turn on the PT from up to {{convert|15|ft}} away.<ref name="Segway, Official Site">{{cite web |url=http://www.segway.com/business/products-solutions/i2.php |title=Segway, Official Site |publisher=Segway.com |date=28 April 2011 |access-date=6 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027235058/http://www.segway.com/business/products-solutions/i2.php |archive-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

Segway Inc. was acquired by British businessman [[Jimi Heselden]] from its U.S. inventor [[Dean Kamen]] in December 2009. A year later, Heselden died after he "plunged into the [[River Wharfe]] while riding a rugged country version" of Segway PT.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39377851 |title=Segway company owner rides scooter off cliff, dies |quote=A British businessman, who bought the Segway company less than a year ago, died after riding one of the scooters off a cliff and into a river near his Yorkshire estate. |publisher=[[NBC News]] |accessdate=February 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-11465512|title=Inquest into Segway head's death|work=BBC News|date=4 October 2010|publisher=}}</ref>

[[File:Segway police Sweden.jpg|thumb|Police using a Segway in [[Stockholm]], Sweden]]
Versions of the product prior to 2011 included (in order of release):<ref>{{Cite web|title=Segway PT Previous Model|publisher=Segway Inc.|url=http://www.segway.com/about-segway/previous-models.php|access-date=2011-07-23|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709140608/http://www.segway.com/about-segway/previous-models.php|archive-date=9 July 2011}}</ref>
* Segway i167 (2001 revealed, 2002 shipped)
* Segway e167:{{when|date=January 2019}} As i167, with addition of electric kickstand
* Segway p133:{{when|date=January 2019}} Smaller platform and wheels and less powerful motors than the i and e Series with top speed of {{convert|10|mph}} in the p-Series
* Segway i180:{{when|date=January 2019}} With lithium-ion batteries<ref>[http://www.segway.com/product-archive/model_i180.html The versatile Segway PT i180] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812141652/http://www.segway.com/product-archive/model_i180.html |date=12 August 2007 }}</ref>
* Segway XT:{{when|date=January 2019}} The first Segway designed specifically for recreation
* Segway i2 (2006): The first on-road Segway PT with LeanSteer
* Segway x2 (2006): The first off-road Segway PT with LeanSteer

In March 2014, Segway Inc. announced third generation designs, including the i2 SE and x2 SE sport, new LeanSteer frame and powerbase designs, with integrated lighting.<ref name=SELaunch>{{cite press release| url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/segway-launches-new-se-personal-transporters-pts-and-segsolution-accessory-packages-251918501.html|title=Segway Launches New SE Personal Transporters (PTs) And SegSolution Accessory Packages|publisher=Segway|date=24 March 2014|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>