14.
THE SEGWAY HUMAN TRANSPORTER (HT)
A READ THE ARTICLE
Dean Kamen is an inventor. He
and his team developed the Seg-
wayTM Human Transporter (HT)-
a battery-powered, two-wheeled
electric transportation device.
With a price of $3,995, it costs
less than a car, is easier to ride
than a motorcycle, and uses less
space than a bicycle. And it’s easy
to operate: stand on the platform,
lean forward to move ahead, lean
back to stop or move backward,
and twist the left handle to run.
To go faster, lean forward a little
more. Some people compare it to
ice skating because it moves so
quietly and turns so smoothly.
B CHECK (V) THE CORRECT ANSWER
1. Dean Kamen
( … ) Invented the Segway HT.
( … ) Wants to own a Segway HT.
( … ) Doesn’t think the Segway HT is energy
efficient.
2. The Segway HT
( … ) Is harder than riding a motorcycle.
C WORK IN GROUP
ICE LEVEL 2
TM
Segway HT is a great way to get
around or do errands. In most
cities, it can go wherever people
walk, jog, or ride bikes.
The Segway is an environmen-
tally friendly and energy-
efficient machine of twenty-first
century. Wouldn’t it be fun to
The Segway HT weighs 32 kilo-
have one?
grams (70 pounds) and can fit in
the trunk of most cars. Fully
charging the battery packs for
four to six hours allows you to
ride as many as 16 kilometers (10
miles).
Although it can only hold one pas-
senger (or 100-200 pounds), the
( … ) Is cheaper than buying a car.
( … ) Has four wheels and runs on electricity.
3. This new transportation device
( … ) Recharges in four to six hours.
( … ) Weights 100-200 pounds.
( … ) Goes 16 miles per hour.
2. The Segway HT
( … ) Can go wherever people drive cars.
1. What’s the invention?
2. Give it a name?
3. What is it used to/for?
4. What are the specifications?
 Weight: Is it light or heavy?
 Battery: Is the battery durable/ Does the battery last
long?
5. How does it work?
THE SEGWAYTM HUMAN TRANSPORTER (HT)