Yes, like the cops of many nations before it, China's tactical professionals are preparing to counter any threat that could jeopardize the Olympics. Figuring prominently in their arsenal - Segway Commandoes. That's right. The rolling thunder that is China's eeee-light counter-terrorist unit is locked, loaded and good to go. Without further delay, I give you the mobile SWAT guys of Jinan!
No word yet on whether the gadget-loving higher-ups of the US military will invest the eleventy zillion dollars necessary to develop their own electric powered individual soldier short-range expedient deployment vehicle (or EPISSED to use the convenient acronym). Even if no one else wants one, we're confident the Air Force will buy at least a couple so the zipper-suited sun gods don't get footsore on the way to their planes.
You know, if they were to incorporate a riot shield or an angled bullet deflector on the front of the Segway that would still allow the officer to kneel behind it, I could imagine these being somewhat practical.
They should have gone with some of these instead. Birmingham PD and Hoover PD (the suburb town where I live) have both gotten several in the last couple of years, and they're actually pretty cool. They're certainly a lot more intimidating than a pansy Segway.
"When I was a kid, my father told me, 'Never hit anyone in anger, unless you're absolutely sure you can get away with it.'" - Russel Ziskey
They are becoming popular in downtown Portland as well. Too bad they don't have spokes--it would be fun to hide in the bushes with a broomstick for a bit of the old buffalo hunt.
noel wrote:In case you're interested, you don't have to balance on it at all. It does that for you.
As far as it taking any kind of impact and staying upright, I totally agree with you.
To what degree though? I have never rode one so I don't know. Does the thing balance well enough to compensate for the recoil of a shotgun, or even a large caliber pistol?
noel wrote:In case you're interested, you don't have to balance on it at all. It does that for you.
As far as it taking any kind of impact and staying upright, I totally agree with you.
To what degree though? I have never rode one so I don't know. Does the thing balance well enough to compensate for the recoil of a shotgun, or even a large caliber pistol?
No worries. I have serious doubts about that as well. Boogahz appears to be an expert on the product though. Based on his knowledge I'd guess a .50 caliber round would bounce right off of it.
Oh, my God; I care so little, I almost passed out.
I was referring to the recoil caused by someone firing a weapon while riding one (all of the pictures show what appear to be small caliber weapons). I was not referring to them being able to take a hit from a .50 cal, since those can even stop tanks.
Also, I have fallen off of one of these, and, from what I understand, many people fall off of them due to overcompensating for how much you should balance yourself when you go into mounting/dismounting from the segway. Also, the company I work for insures these things for personal use, but they won't give them to us to use for travelling around the office! Maybe I should forward this post to my boss to further justify our need for a segway in the office!