Xiaomi revives the Segway with Ninebot mini, costing a twentieth of the original price

By David Curry Updated October 20, 2015

xiaomi segway ninebot — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Xiaomi has announced the Ninebot mini, a new Segway coming to China and Europe. The scooter comes six months after Ninebot, with the help of Xiaomi and a few private equity firms, acquired Segway for an undisclosed amount.

The new Ninebot mini is much smaller than the original Segway. On the new Ninebot mini, the handle only reaches the knee. Ninebot claims that maintaining balance will not be hard on the new scooter.

xiaomi-segway — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Performance on the Ninebot mini isn’t too shabby, with the max speed of 16kph (10mph). The scooter can reach 30km on a single charge, and only takes three hours to fully recharge. It weighs 28 pounds, making it portable enough to fit in a suitcase or car trunk.

On the front, an LED light shows the battery life of the Ninebot mini, and illuminates the path ahead. Users are able to check traffic, install firmware, and monitor speed through a smartphone app, developed by Ninebot.

The Ninebot mini costs a twentieth of the price of the original Segway, starting at $315. Xiaomi is marketing it at a younger audience, offering an alternative to the growing number of hoverboards available.

Xiaomi plans to launch the Ninebot mini in China on Nov. 3. Ninebot’s French website has been updated to inform users on the “European version” of the scooter, but did not disclose any information on price or launch date for Europe. There’s no word on whether the Ninebot mini will reach the United States.

The original Segway was priced out of the market for consumers, but the Ninebot mini should be available for everyone to try. The ‘mini’ name suggests Ninebot has another Segway is planned, a larger option for customers that want more performance.

Xiaomi is helping Ninebot sell the Segway in China, but for Europe the operation might be led by Ninebot. The company announced the Ninebot mini at its event earlier this week, where it also revealed a new 60-inch 4K TV.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

David has been writing about technology for several years, following the latest trends and covering the largest events. He is…

Emerging Tech

This bracelet helps you fall asleep faster and sleep longer

woman-in-bed-wearing-twilight-apollo-on-ankle

This content was produced in partnership with Apollo Neuroscience.
Have you been struggling to get the recommended seven hours of sleep? It's always frustrating when you get in bed at a reasonable time, then toss and turn for a hours before you actually sleep. The quality of that sleep is important too. If you're waking up multiple times during the night, you're likely not getting the quality REM cycle sleep that truly rejuvenates your body. If traditional remedies like herbal teas and noise machines just aren't helping, maybe it's time to try a modern solution. Enter the Apollo wearable.

Now we understand being a little skeptical. How can a bracelet on your wrist or ankle affect your sleep patterns? Certainly the answer to a better night's sleep can't be so simple. We considered these same things when we first heard of it. We'll dive deeper into the science behind the Apollo wearable, but suffice it to say that many people have experienced deeper, uninterrupted sleep while wearing one.
A non-conventional approach to better sleep

Deals

The 11 best Father’s Day deals that you can get for Sunday

Data from a workout showing on the screen of the Apple Watch Series 8.

Father's Day is fast approaching and there's still time to buy your beloved Dad a sweet new device to show him how much you love him. That's why we've rounded up the ten best Father's Day tech deals going on right now. There's something for most budgets here, including if you're able to spend a lot on your loved one. Read on while we take you through the highlights and remember to order fast so you don't miss out on the big day.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 -- $200, was $230

While it's the Plus version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 that features in our look at the best tablets, the standard variety is still worth checking out. Saving your Dad the need to dig out their laptop or squint at a small phone screen, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers a large 10.5-inch LCD display and all the useful features you would expect. 128GB of storage means plenty of room for all your Dad's favorite apps as well as games too. A long-lasting battery and fast charging save him the need for a power source too often too.

Deals

The Apollo wearable is proven to help you sleep better (and it’s on sale)

Apollo wearable worn during sleep in bed.

This content was produced in partnership with Apollo Neuro.
Stress, anxiety, and insomnia are all concerning things that just about everyone struggles with at one time or another. Maybe you can sleep, fending off insomnia, but you lack quality sleep and don’t feel rested in the morning. Or, maybe when it’s time to kick back and relax, you just can’t find a way to do so. There are many solutions for these issues, some work, and others don’t, but one unlikely area of support can be found in a modern, smart wearable.

Medicine is the obvious choice, but not everyone prefers to go that route. There is an answer in modern technology or rather a modern wearable device. One such device is the Apollo wearable, which improves sleep and stress relief via touch therapy. According to Apollo Neuro, the company behind the device, which is worn on your ankle, wrist or clipped to your clothing, it sends out waves of vibrations to help your body relax and reduce feelings of stress. It's an interesting new approach to a common problem that has typically been resolved via medicine, therapy, or other more invasive and time-consuming techniques. The way it utilizes those vibrations, uniquely placed and administered, to create a sense of peace, makes us ask, can it really cure what ails us? We’ll dig a little deeper into how it achieves what it does and what methods it’s using to make you feel better.