Learn how this high school student did the Segway one better... by building his own self balancing scooter!
Daniel Fukuba
might look like an ordinary teenager but this gadget building maestro designed and fabricated his very own Segway-like scooter!
It works... and chances are you can build one, too.
It wouldn't hurt to have access to a place like Menlo Park, CA's fabulous Tech Shop, a DIY haven of of expertise and space to make. Think 'co-op' for people that like to build. In exchange for a modest monthly fee, Daniel had access to tons of tools he might not have been able to a afford.
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Posted by deviationer on 09/17/2008 at 08:50:02 am in Systm
damn Dr. Kiki is beautiful........and geeky
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Posted by janderson91 on 09/10/2008 at 02:44:49 pm in Systm
Holy expensive batman!
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Posted by Serafina on 09/10/2008 at 02:31:50 pm in Systm
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JVC DR-HD100GB100 HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder for ProHD Camcorders
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Posted by samureye on 09/10/2008 at 10:47:13 am in Systm
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What was attached to the top?
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Posted by Phredsir on 09/10/2008 at 12:02:34 am in Systm
one of the best episodes ever it made me wish for lots of things. here is a list.
1. I wish my school had a robotics club
2. I wish I had a tech lab near me
3. I wish I had the money to build a SBPU
4. I wish that all these wishes were true
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Posted by laser_guided_brick on 09/09/2008 at 11:33:35 pm in Systm
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#2) Secondly, This perception of segway owners as 'geeky' or 'dorky' is a thing I have only noticed coming from 2 types of people: Other people whom the general poplulation would describe as computer geeks and dorks or 15 to 35 year-olds who think they are masters of the universe. Both these types of people seem to have this child-like-bully need to make themselves feel bigger and better than someone else, and they choose segway owners as one of those targets. On top of those people, Its really unfortunate how many people are ignorant about what a segway really is, how much engineering has really gone into it, and how great it really can be for a lot of people out there.
In meeting with and talking to probably over a thousand people about the segway over the last 17 months, close to 95% either don't know anything about it and are openly curious or they think its a really cool device. Its the other 5% who have the ignorant misconceptions about what the segway really is, what it can really do, and who the people are who ride them.
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I don't mind people calling me geeky or nerdy because its people like you and me who imagine, think up, design, engineer, and finally build the coolest shit on the face of the planet that these guys crave.
So who cares what they think.
I'm sorry to hear about your negative Segway experiences, personally I would give my left nut to own one (Figuratively speaking).
And yes going much more over 12 mph your going to break bones or worse if you fall off
From memmory only 2 mph is needed to breaks the skin.
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Posted by magnus on 09/09/2008 at 11:09:43 pm in Systm
Hey, I'm an electrical engineer and I've been a segway owner for about 17 months and have traveled over 2600 miles on my segway in that time.
And I just wanted to say that this latest episode, about the DIY segway was pretty awesome. I got to give major props to Daniel Fukuba who found "the tech shop" and had the fortitude to stick to it and get his own EPMAD (Electric Personal Mobility Assistive Device - the legal acronym for a Segway or self-balancing, two-wheeled segway like device) designed, built and debugged. I just wish there had been two more things in that episode which were omitted: #1) The safety and flexibility of the real segway versus the home-made versions. As this guy pointed out:
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Having traveled several thousand miles on my segway over multitudes of terrains, and having to depend upon it like you depend upon a car - I've learned just how much over-engineering went into the segway to make it safe. Even the top speed is limited by firmware to 12.5 mph so you don't automatically kill yourself if you fly off of it at top speed. The home-made projects are awesome from a DIY engineering standpoint, but Daniel should have pointed out its safety limitations, and thats assuming he's ridden it enough to find those. Judging by the helmet he was shown wearing while riding it at Maker Faire, I imagine he has.
#2) Secondly, This perception of segway owners as 'geeky' or 'dorky' is a thing I have only noticed coming from 2 types of people: Other people whom the general poplulation would describe as computer geeks and dorks or 15 to 35 year-olds who think they are masters of the universe. Both these types of people seem to have this child-like-bully need to make themselves feel bigger and better than someone else, and they choose segway owners as one of those targets. On top of those people, Its really unfortunate how many people are ignorant about what a segway really is, how much engineering has really gone into it, and how great it really can be for a lot of people out there.
In meeting with and talking to probably over a thousand people about the segway over the last 17 months, close to 95% either don't know anything about it and are openly curious or they think its a really cool device. Its the other 5% who have the ignorant misconceptions about what the segway really is, what it can really do, and who the people are who ride them.
Bottom Line: The Segway and EPMADs like what Daniel built in that last episode are a completely new form of transportation. While I support and applaud the DIY efforts, its not right to say they can do everything a segway can do or even do it faster and cheaper. Segways aren't "scooters" any more than a modern car is a horseless carriage. And it will take at least another generation before the american culture begins to really understand and accept them. But like most Segway owners I know, I don't care what other people think about me because of my form of transportation. I didn't buy a segway for other people's approval, or to have a cool toy, I bought it because it saves me between $200 and $300 each and every month that I use it (and public transport) instead of a car.
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Posted by jglen490 on 09/09/2008 at 07:17:52 pm in Systm
I've seen the last episode of Systm that I'll ever watch. Total drivel. However, I do wish you all well.
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Posted by laser_guided_brick on 09/09/2008 at 06:15:30 pm in Systm
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AHH...
So that was the back of your head we all got a good look at in the printer room... lol
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Posted by bac255 on 09/09/2008 at 06:08:55 pm in Systm
Great Episode! I thought Dr. Kiki and David did a great job.
I would have to agree though. I think Revision3 is reading my mind. Last week at work we had a company picnic and the local segway dealer/tourguide came in to give everyone demos and rides. A co-worker and I were discussing how we might go about making one. What fantastic timing! I'll have to share this episode with him.
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