General Motors and Segway? What a Rush!

Update: Brian Wang has also posted on the new Segway - GM collaboration.
When the maker of Corvette teams with the maker of Segway, it is hard to predict what will result. The video above gives you a good idea of the 2 wheel experience of driving the new electric "car."

The 300-pound vehicle runs on a lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 35 miles between rechargings, GM says. It tilts on its wheelbase, balancing on two wheels using “dynamic stabilization” technology similar to that developed for the Segway PT. (Technically the vehicle has six wheels, including two additional “landing-gear” wheels in front and two in back to catch it when it’s not moving.) The “keys” and dashboard controls for the P.U.M.A. apparently reside in an iPhone-like removable wireless device.

“We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility,” Segway CEO Jim Norrod said in the joint announcement. “The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.” _Xconomy

Future city designers may well build roadways dedicated to small electric vehicles and human powered vehicles. City districts that specialise in shops, restaurants, and entertainment would do well to make their areas friendly to small, slow vehicular traffic. They might want to provide plenty of re-charging stations as well.