[freehunter]

Normally I think "Product X Killer" is kind of a ridiculous statement to make, but in the case of the Segway I would double that. For a competitor to kill another product implies that product is wildly successful and without any real competition. The Segway was hyped as "as big a deal as the PC" and "more important than the Internet". Instead it's fairly useless and banned in the places it would be most useful (ignoring the medical devices using gyroscopic technology). The Segway Killer is called your legs and a bicycle.

The Ryno isn't even a Segway competitor. You might make the bold claim that it would be a motorcycle killer, but even then... I mean, it's a one-wheeled motorcycle. Let's be practical here: the Ryno goes 20mph with a 20 mile range, can't be used on sidewalks or pedestrian areas, and only really exists to draw attention. It's not competing with the Segway, it's not competing with motorcycles, it's barely competing with scooters or bicycles. Hype it up because it looks interesting and has some neat tech, but don't make the claim that it will revolutionize transport just because it can stand up on its own.

[droithomme]

I agree. At first I wondered if the claim was a joke or if it was supposed to be a mercy killing of something that was barely alive anyway. But now I see that the inventors of an different product are trying to ride upon the brand name recognition of another product, without clearly thinking through how badly this approach might backfire.

Clearly this is a motorized unicycle being marketed, through pictures of tough and hip looking riders with leather jackets, to motorcycle enthusiasts who are also wealthy and interested in high tech gizmos. It's a very different marketing approach from the green and easy approach that Segway attempted. Distancing themselves from the Segway market segment rather than trying to "take it over" might be a better approach.

[pkulak]

Exactly. No way is this competing with legs or a bicycle. Legs can go on sidewalks and are free. Bikes are way more portable, cheaper, have a higher top speed (for most people), don't make you look like a goober (depending on your lycra addiction) and have no range issues.

[freehunter]

The best part about a bike is, you can go 25mph to the city center, and when you get to the pedestrian area, you just get off and walk. Park the bike or don't, it won't keep you from getting through the walkway. If you're too tired to get home, just put it on the front of a bus and ride home.

Problem is, bikes aren't cool.

[pkulak]

> Problem is, bikes aren't cool.

You're just living in an uncool place.