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DIY Mini-Segway Shows Dean Kamen Isn't All That Clever
Posted by Kit Eaton at 7:15 PM on October 2, 2008
OK, OK... so Dean Kamen actually dreamed up the Segway in the first place and other amazing things, so he's pretty clever. But then so is the guy who's put together this Arduway out of an Arduino controller board and some Lego Mindstorms motors. It senses its position with a gyro, and balances pretty much like the real thing, only smaller. Maybe good for giving your pet mouse some 21st Century transport? If you're impressed and want to try it out then there's a DIY guide and the software available. Clever stuff. [Project page via Hackaday]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
someToast
Posted 7:54 PM 2/10/08
Gets a little drunken-sailor-ey after being poked. I'd like to see it react to a healthier shove.
someToast
pzich
Posted 9:46 PM 2/10/08
Why lego servos and wheels?
pzich
Three_Part_Bandit
Posted 11:07 PM 2/10/08
@nystreetfilms: What fascinates me is that he can build such a thing but can't cut the video right :\
Three_Part_Bandit
nystreetfilms
Posted 11:00 PM 2/10/08
I love the minute of black video at the end, so Sarte-esk.
nystreetfilms
strider_mt2k
Posted 10:53 PM 2/10/08
What did it for me was the second half of the video being a blank screen. :\
@pzich: One could easily say, "Why not?"
They might've been the best thing available at the time.
strider_mt2k
EricAlder
Posted 12:14 AM 3/10/08
Bring back Big Dog!
EricAlder
Brutalitarian
Posted 12:48 AM 3/10/08
where would makegeeks be without mindstorms?
Brutalitarian
ecobore
Posted 2:15 AM 3/10/08
shame he can't edit video as well as he can do electronics design!
ecobore
JEmlay
Posted 2:52 AM 3/10/08
@pzich:
...and cheap!
JEmlay
barold
Posted 2:51 AM 3/10/08
All the components were in existence - Kamen put it all the pieces together and marketed it. My appologies if this person developed Arduway at the same time and was just beaten to the punch, but my guess is that is not the case.
barold
The Brain
Posted 2:38 AM 3/10/08
The lion's share of clever should always go to the person who did it first. Unless you know the name of the second person to fly across the Atlantic.
The Brain
Shikestarr
Posted 4:43 AM 3/10/08
That must be made into a cat toy. I'll buy one.
Shikestarr
kapitan
Posted 5:11 AM 3/10/08
It would probably work a little more smoothly with less-knobby tires.
kapitan
tabaks
Posted 7:39 AM 3/10/08
CLEVER stuff is when you are the FIRST to come up with something. So, this guy isn't clever, just handy enough to replicate reasonably well what some clever person discovered long before him.
tabaks
CalderElephino
Posted 8:27 PM 2/10/08
It's a bit silly even remotely comparing this to the Segway, even if it is a bit tongue-in-cheek. After all, making something balance like that has been done with the Arduino and PICs for years. Now make something which balances at an angle while running forwards and backwards at different speeds, and can turn, AND looks awesome, then you can poke fun at Kamen. :-)
CalderElephino