The Hands Free Segway, in its various incarnations, is a very popular fad currently being paraded across countless Vines and Instagram accounts. For those who are not familiar with this product, imagine a Segway–most commonly seen ridden by overly-confident security guards and/or overweight mall cops–without the handlebars. Because we will be discussing technologically-advanced forms of transportation, we will look into exactly how practical, and cool, this interesting piece of technology is, as well as the affordability of such a product.
Aesthetically, the Hands Free Segway is unique and sleek. It features floor grips designed practically and with some style. Though they will be covered by feet, these grips themselves sport a fresh design to complement the rider. This product also features LED-clad areas in five different colors. As a result, this product cannot handle puddles, but it can easily brave various dust clouds and light splashes here and there.
Regarding the practicality of the product itself, we will look specifically at IO Hawk’s version, as it seems to be the hottest new addition this year. This Segway sports an impressive distance range of 16 to 20 km before running out of battery, and can support up to 127 kgs in weight. The IO Hawk Segway can reach speeds up to 10km/hr, about the same speed as the average jogger. For those who like to travel far at quick speeds, this may not be the best product for them, compared to a car perhaps.
Though 16 km seems like a lot, the device is battery-powered and must be recharged. The average charge time for this product is three hours. This may be a problem for those that use the Segway quite a bit. On the plus side, the product is relatively small and can fit easily into most backpacks and even some of the bigger-than-average messenger bags. Along with that, the Segway is designed for extreme comfort, with super-fine pressure-sensing technology that can send you forward and backwards and even in circles! You don’t have to be Tony Hawk to ride this product effectively. For practicality, it really depends on what you, as the consumer, want out of a Hands Free Segway.
Unfortunately, IO Hawk is asking a big price for this product, averaging about $1,800 per Segway. This may be due to the celebrity endorsements it has been receiving, most recently by Justin Bieber. Luckily, Amazon and eBay feature countless equivalents ranging at about a fraction of the cost of IO Hawk’s model. Even then, these alternatives can range anywhere from an average of $300 to $800, which may exceed the budgets of many college students. In the end, it comes down to how much this investment is worth in terms of transportation for you. This product is a pretty neat method of transportation for those looking for a fresh new way to get around town and campus.
