First, as usual, we learned about it from news reports. Then came the intriguing article. Rave celebrity fueled interest. But only now, after quite a long time since the inception, we can not only touch his hands, but also to test in action.
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Today in our editorial appeared brand new, truly revolutionary means of transportation, known as Ginger. The actual name "samobegloy gizmos» - Segway Human Transporter. His American company produces Segway, which directs the inventor of the apparatus of Dean Caymen. We were very pleased to meet with one of the top aides of the inventor, Mr. Bodie Holibildingom (Body Holibuilding), which later turned out to Hawley bodybuilding (Holy Bodibuilding), because remember his name fell on the ears. We broke down during an interview with a digital voice recorder, denied a PDA, laptop zakapriznichal (Oh, this Windows!), A pencil and paper at hand is not okazalos.Pervaya part of the conversation with Mr. Holibildingom (or, if you will, Bodybuilding) was uncommitted, so instead of telling the story of the history of Ginger `and give statements about the famous people of the present invention landmark Dean Keim.
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Bill Gates: "This is a great vehicle! It allows you to move in any direction at a walking pace or even a runner. I especially like the fact that Ginger is controlled by the operating system Windows CE. It seems that Dean made the right choice. "
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Steven Jobs. "Excellent, excellent! I effortlessly passed on Ginger forty feet, do not hit with it in the wall, and scraped knees. Glasses, of course, does not count, they were still old ... By the way, I advised the old days Dinah install a computer device operating system Mac OS. Otherwise, Ginger did not move to a place. " Bill Clinton. "It's awkward to admit, but the last six months of my stay in the White House, I just did was ride on Ginger. By the way, I was the first private owner of this nice vehicle - not counting its inventor, of course. Dean gave me one of the prototypes, when I asked him to listen to my saxophone. I told him - if I play on the sax, I present to you Ginger? And Dean said - I'll give it to you just like that, Billy, but for God's sake leave the saxophone alone "... So, Ginger. That is its light weight and a simplified modification of Lights, not intended for corporate customers, and for a wide range of users. At the request of Mr Bodybuilding we do not present the images the device - this is still a commercial secret. Instead, they can read the views of the prototype - a "heavy" version of the Ginger. Immediately on the differences between versions Lights. Modified kinematics machine. The wheels are still two, but they are not installed coaxially and sequentially - one after another. Changed a little platform, it is elongated in length and reduced in width. This is done after it became clear that the old Ginger while riding on sidewalks hurt each other's wheels. And it is fraught with falls and injuries. New Ginger significantly lighter than the old model. Now his weight is at 32 kilograms, but only about 1.5 kilos (maybe less - spring balance on hand as a pencil, did not have). The wheels are reduced, the diameter of no more than 10 centimeters.Modified control apparatus, although usability is not affected in any way. Rudder is saved, but it is provided with a turning mechanism connected to the front wheel. Of the monitoring devices was only on-board computer mounted on the steering crossbar. This is a small rectangular box with six buttons and a small touch screen. Putting the information produced by the passive arm - stylus.
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After a reception Mr. Holibilding (he Bodybuilding) proposed to test the machine in motion. By instant lottery mock this honor has fallen to your humble servant, that is me. First impressions of Ginger Light were excellent. What is especially noteworthy? Ginger was folding. Now it can be hidden in a small bag in the road bag, youth backpack, a soldier in Sidor. Now on Ginger can be reached by subway, to lay down the unit, drive to the desired station, disassemble the unit and stay on the sidewalk. Greatly improve the safety of Ginger. If before the user (driver?) Was partially hidden behind the vertical rack and steering in a collision with pedestrians could seriously injure someone, but now the collision may lead, at most, a few bruises because of the dimensions of the device supports only one detail - the nose rider. Finally, the main difference between the new model - it has no motors. That is all. In the presence of two wheels, a platform for the feet, the rudder and the computer. All brilliant - easy!
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By the way, on your computer. To great surprise the author as the onboard computer on Ginger Lights installed ... the usual Palm! Yes, not just any color, but the easiest m100 with 2 megabytes of RAM and no slots for flash memory cards. Managing Ginger done with special software. The main attention is paid not sensors, gyroscopes and speed sensors (do not have any), and the psychological state of the user. The main program - vRally. It is implemented in the form of the game (which greatly expands the range of potential buyers Ginger Lights). The user must hold a virtual avtomobilchik by the covert on-screen track. When going off the track avtomobilchiki loses balance and the rider himself on Ginger. Fun and tasteful. Users are not forgotten elderly and housewives. For them to a computer installed spreadsheet and cookbook. Needless to say, that in addition to the special software in the onboard computer, Ginger is a program of general purpose? Namely - the alarm clock, and Tetris. Thus, Ginger can replace multiple devices at once - the same address book, alarm clock, and, you guessed it, Tetris. Powerplant Ginger Lights consists of a left or right (depending on which of them Jog) foot user that the apparatus is not included ... After practical tests Ginger `and was a farewell dinner where Mr Holibilding (or, perhaps, Bodybuilding) has promised to send us for editorial testing all new models of Ginger, including concept development. Particularly, he noted the dignity prepared for the mass production of Ginger Super Light, which reduced the number of wheels (up one) and on-board computer has been moved to a pocket rider. In Super Light there is no chip, but it appeared a couple of pedals - just in case, if the user wants to go somewhere. Say hello to the inventor Keymenu and wished him success, the editorial team posted a pal Bodie (sometimes we call him for a variety of Holi) in a detoxification center because he drank to the position of Reese.Along the way, we sent a sobering and myself to our American friend was not there ... bored now about where you can buy Ginger and how much it roughly costs in Russia. Purchase the vehicle Segway Human Transporter, we know as Ginger Lights, available at any flea market, selling, among other toys. This flea market is called "banderlozhimi markets" - not because there are trading Banderlog, but solely from the humorous reasons. The cost of Ginger, depending on the version, ranging from 600 to 700 rubles. If you're lucky, you can find and expensive. Onboard computer, and tape for his attachment to the handlebars (you can do medical adhesive plaster), sold separately. As optional equipment offered call, steel helmet with horns and a flashlight on the battery.
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For us in Russia Ginger Lights comes mainly from China, where there are a subsidiary of the Segway - the company Lisapedka LTD. The authors, translation: