Two-wheel transporter can be used for sports and tourism

WHILE most locals will probably view the Segway as a novelty and toy, the two-wheeled personal transporter (PT) has a more serious side to it as it can enhance many types of service or business such as security, operations, sports, tourism and advertising. Custom Lifestyles Sdn Bhd — the exclusive Segway distributor in Malaysia — managing director Gordon Cheah said one of the key selling points of using the machine is that it is eco-friendly and uses electricity rather than petrol.

“One can charge the batteries of the Segway PT anywhere as it uses the same power cable as most other electronic products. Each fully- charged machine can travel up to 40km,” he said, adding that the first charge takes 12 hours while subsequent ones take between four and eight hours.

User-friendly: Associate consultant Chan Chiau Khiang (left) trying out the Segway.

The machine utilises the LeanSteer technology which means that the rider controls the PT’s steering by holding on to the handlebar and moving with it in the desired direction. Leaning either forward or backward will accelerate the machine in the respective direction. A Segway does not have a brake and balances itself using five micro-machined angular rate sensors and two accelerometers that sense the changing terrain and body position thus standing straight will stop the PT. “Learning how to ride a Segway PT takes only a few minutes as it is very user-friendly,” Cheah said.

Its compact size also enables the PT to be used in many narrow locations that other vehicles cannot travel on such as sideways and footpaths as well as in places like shopping malls, small lanes and airports. “The Segway can enhance advertising and promotional activities as it is a relatively new item here, causing people to be attracted to it. Advertisement panels can be wrapped around the PT without hindering its movement,” Cheah said. He also said that in Europe, the PT was frequently used in sports such as the Segway polo that is basically a regular polo game with players mounted on the machine.

Take it easy: Standing for the first time on a Segway can be a little intimidating but users usually get the hang of it within minutes.

“Building a sports facility, including futsal courts, takes a lot of money and we have many of them locally. Introducing a Segway into an activity can boost business and become an additional revenue source,” he said. The tourism and entertainment industry can also utilise the PT for activities such as tours, fun rides and more — something already done in some 50 countries all over the world including Thailand and Singapore.

Lastly, the Segway also comes in a special patrolling model that includes the siren and blinking lights that makes it ideal for security purposes including the police or even companies providing security services. “We have had both organisations and individuals purchasing the PT. Currently, we are in talks with various resort locations all over Malaysia to provide them with the machine for recreational purposes as well as a local council and the police,” Cheah said. He also said that the company which completed its restructuring six months ago after it was bought over from the second owner supplied the machine to Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines as well.

“There are eight Segway models including a golf and off-road one. The price ranges from RM32,800 for a basic i2 unit to RM39,800 for the patrolling unit,” Cheah said, adding that for the commercial units, an extra RM2,000 is charged and an easy payment scheme is available. The machine comes with a built-in anti-theft system which is activated at the press of the security button on the InfoKey controller that flashes a visual alert when someone attempts to move the PT. Such an incident will trigger the Segway alarm and the machine will start vibrating and locks its wheels.

Transporting the Segway is also easy as it can be dismantled and the weight ranges from 47kg to 54kg. For more information on the Segway PT, visit www.segway.my

-thestar online.