Early Adopters Pick: October 2003. The second in a line of the world's first dynamically stabilized Human Transporters, with forward and backward maneuvering guided by a rider's natural motions.

The new Segway HT p Series is the next iteration of a unique and truly 21st-century idea: a two-wheeled electric transportation device that is practical, efficient, slightly miraculous, and an undeniably fun way of getting around. It’s smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the original Segway HT i Series, and the modifications that make it so are sure to please a new wave of riders.

Control
Topping out at 10 mph, the p Series is faster than a swift jog but a bit slower than the original Segway model, which hits 12.5 mph on flat surfaces. Segway isn't trying to replace your car with their machines, but they do promise a fun ride supported by cutting-edge technology quietly at work beneath your feet.

The Segway HT moves forward by taking cues from your body language--the subtle leaning you use to balance yourself while walking or running. When you lean forward, the Segway HT goes forward. A walking lean produces a walking rate, while a steeper running lean can bring the Segway to its top speed. The machine stops when you right yourself. Steering is controlled with a small twist-grip on the left handlebar, a control that may initially prove disconcerting to those used to a motorcycle-style brake or throttle. After a few minutes, however, the handlebar turning mechanism feels completely natural. The Segway HT's two-wheeled design makes it quite agile--it can execute sharp turns and turn completely in place. Sharp turns require a slight leaning into the turns, as you'd expect, but the Segway HT helps by actively regulating turn responsiveness based on your speed.

Ultimately, the Segway system is so easy to learn that a novice can be underway in seconds (with supervision) and ascending ramps and turning figure eights in minutes. After training and a few hours of use, a rider should feel comfortable with a wide range of activities.

Riding
Riding the p Series should be similar to riding the original i Series, but with added maneuverability due to its slightly smaller frame. The new model's battery is good for about 8 miles when fully charged (the original model was rated at 10 miles), but that difference is probably negligible if you're using the machine for intracity or neighborhood travel. Otherwise, you can ride the Segway HT p Serieson a variety of paved surfaces–from trails to congested city sidewalks. And its unique element of machine-assisted balance will surely continue to delight and astound. I saw a pair of city maintenance workers using Segway's self-balancing e Series models in downtown Seattle; one rider dismounted his Segway HT in the middle of the sidewalk and the machine just stood there balancing itself, rocking back and forth almost like a living thing, waiting for its rider to return. The e Series is currently only sold to commercial customers.

Remember that if you can't easily stand upright or endure some jostling on varied terrain, the Segway HT will not solve these problems for you. The Segway HT is not a medical device. But while it cannot provide balance that the rider doesn't already have, the Segway's responsiveness does bring a subtle beauty to a rider's movements. Experienced riders can start, stop, swoop, and turn as gracefully as figure skaters. In fact, the machine's ease of use could create some overconfidence, so it's important to remember that its wheels always need traction for balance. A careless rider who drops a wheel over a curb or tries to turn too quickly on a slippery surface could fall. Segway advises that riders wear a safety helmet (like a bicycle or skateboard helmet) and start out in the Beginner mode before moving on to the faster settings.

User-Friendly Design
Closer to the ground than its predecessor by almost 2 inches, the Segway HT p Series should be even easier to mount than the original. Once on, your controls are the same. A single round display on the handlebars shows either a smiling face (meaning "get on") or a frowning face ("get off"). A graphic surrounding the face indicates the battery level. The Segway has no brakes--slowing down involves the same process as acceleration--and its gentle rate precludes any need for a speedometer.

The p Series sports an extremely narrow footprint. It stands 21.8 inches wide, comparable to the shoulder span of an average man, and a few inches narrower than the original Segway HT, which is itself slight enough to fit gracefully into an elevator full of people. The p Series should prove itself even more adept at sliding into tight offices and passageways.

Substantially lighter than the original, the new Segway HT p Series weighs only 70 pounds. With this reduction, the maximum allowable rider weight has also dropped. The p Series can carry riders weighing up to 200 pounds, plus 10 pounds of cargo, a bit lower than the original's limit, which is 250 pounds, plus 10 pounds of cargo.

Usability
The lighter weight and power-assist mode in the p Series make it easy to integrate with other modes of transportation, such as trains or automobiles. And it's specifically intended for smaller riders and urban commuters. Other potential users include students and professors in college towns, city dwellers who take many short trips, vacationers traveling with RVs, and people with easy access to nature trails and walkways.

Well-Built Construction
The basic elements of the new model are nearly identical in construction to the original. One main difference is the narrower 16-inch tires of the p Series, which are rated to last 3,000 miles or 5 years. Compare this to the muscular 19-inch tires (6,000 miles or 5 years) on the original. That said, a Segway is a clean and simple machine; the brushless motors are retained on the p133, and there continue to be only a few sturdy moving parts. The circuits and engine are still self-cooled through their contact with the platform's heat-drawing aluminum casing.

Conclusion
It's been less than a year since the introduction of the Segway HT i167 and already the company has launched a cheaper, leaner model that undoubtedly will appeal to a new group of riders. The continuing excitement about this amazing machine and the quick release of the elegant Segway HT p Series are good signs that the revolutionary Segway HT will be around, in one form or another, for years to come.--Erik Hammen

Pros:

• Less expensive than the original Segway
• High-quality construction
• Environmentally friendly, extremely energy efficient
• Lighter and narrower, even easier to store than the original Segway
• Accessories now available

• Reduced weight allowance, battery charge life, and wheel life from the original Segway
• Purchase price is prohibitive for many potential users, though the cost is partially offset in the long run by nominal upkeep expenses
• Laws regarding legal riding areas (sidewalk versus street) vary from state to state