Skip to main content

Segways Recalled for Falling Hazard

Segways Recalled for Falling Hazard

You’d never guess from watching our Commander in Chief try his hand at one of the devices, but apparently it’s not always operator error if someone falls off a Segway! Segway Inc., in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a http://www.segway.com/aboutus/press_releases/pr_091406.html of its Segway Personal Transporters to address a problem which might cause the scooters to unexpectedly reverse direction, causing a rider to fall. Segway will correct the problem through a software upgrade; no hardware changes are needed. The reversing problem can occur when the transporter’s Speed Limiter tilts back the machine to slow it down, then the rider gets off the transporter and gets back on in a short period of time.

“The safety of our customers and our products is our top priority. When we identified this condition we notified the CPSC and immediately began working on a software upgrade to address the issue,” said Jim Norrod, Segway’s CEO. “We have a software upgrade available now for consumers and we strongly encourage our customers to obtain the upgrade as soon as possible. We are committed to making the upgrade process convenient for our customers.”

The recall applies to all Segway personal transporters sold to date, including the i Series, e Series, p Series, XT, FT, and i2 models. (The soon-to-be released X2 is not impacted.) However, what’s more surprisin about the recall is that it apparently only applies to about 23,500 transporters; after all the media attention, hype, and virtue-extoling these devices have received in the last few years, one would have thought more had been sold. Owners can contact Segway at 00/750-6557 between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M. eastern time, Monday through Friday, or register for the a free software update at www.segway.com.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
The fall smart home checklist: How to prepare for cooler weather
The Sony Bravia XR-X92 mounted above a fireplace.

Fall (and the coming winter) bring plenty of changes, including shifting temperatures, new habits around the house, and holiday plans. That’s why fall cleaning is at least as important as spring cleaning, both for your health and your peace of mind.

While there are comprehensive projects to prepare for fall, like cleaning your gutters and checking your weather stripping, we wanted to provide a more tech-focused guide fit for smart homes and homes that want to become smarter. Take a look to make sure the important items are on your list as well as ours!
Check your thermostat schedule

Read more
What we want to see from Google’s fall event
google fall event 2022 smart home predictions made by

The next big Google event is slated for October 6, when the Made by Google livestream kicks off at 10 a.m. ET. Much of the hype surrounding the event is for the upcoming Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, but a few leaks and rumors have given us hope that there’ll be some big smart home announcements mixed in with the litany of smartphone reveals.

From confirmed reveals, early leaks, and everything in between, here are some smart home announcements we hope to see during Google’s October event.
Reworked Nest Doorbell

Read more
Everything announced at Amazon’s 2022 Fall Event: new Echos, Fire TVs, Kindle Scribe, and more
Amazon Astro in a build with Ring Virtual Security Guard on its screen.

Amazon announced everything from new Echos, to security cameras, to Fire TVs, and more at its September 28 devices and services event. The new hardware underscores a commitment to what the company dubs "ambient intelligence:" every interaction should be intuitive, proactive, and personalized to help you enjoy the here and now. What's the secret sauce that lets Amazon deliver these contextual experiences? Sensors. Many of the products announced today come with sensors designed to help monitor and enhance a person's environment and experience. Of course, you can adjust the settings to still keep your data private.

Most of the products will be available later this year, with others (ahem, Astro) coming one day. We've rounded up everything Amazon announced today.
Amazon smart speakers

Read more