Scooter invention may be fun but impractical

They called it Ginger and even IT. Now they call it Segway. Whatever they call the fancy-smancy two-wheel scooter that runs on a battery, it probably won’t matter. Chances are it’ll be in and out of the consumer mindset before any name has time to stick.

For the purposes of this editorial, we’ll call her Ginger. Because the similarities between the souped-up scooter and the souped-up redhead on "Gilligan’s Island" are just too good to pass on.

The main problem with Ginger is that she’s not practical. For $8,000 (the $3,000 consumer model comes out next year) she comes with what she doesn’t need and doesn’t have what we need. Scooter Ginger doesn’t have brakes or a mechanism to shift in reverse. She "senses" what the rider wants to do by picking up subtle body movements. Impressive from an invention standpoint. But who wants to be in such deep communication with their scooter? It’s just as easy to put your foot down if you want to stop.

TV Ginger was the same way. Who needs all those glittery dresses and strappy heels when you’re stranded on an island? How about some sturdy shoes and trusty bug repellant?

Scooter Ginger has a top speed of 17 mph and can travel 17 miles over level ground with just a single battery charge. Her maker, inventor Dean Kamen, envisions Gingers all over the world — from Seattle to Shanghai. Ditch the clunky automobile and opt for Ginger for across-town meetings.

Here’s the problem. People around here like their clunky automobiles. Right or wrong, folks are buying bigger and bigger SUVs. Even if we all were trying to downsize, get real. This is the Puget Sound. That means rain. Lots of it. Is Ginger going to come with a complimentary slicker or pop-up umbrella? How about bicycle basket in front to stow a lap-top, purse and meeting presentation materials (after all, Ginger is really for the Big City yuppie type). And what about the hills? Will Ginger whine and pout at the sight of some Seattle streets, like her manipulative Gilligan’s counterpart?

Ginger is pretty to look at and fun to play with. But face it. She’s high maintenance. We all want to like Ginger. She’s sleek. She’s new. She’s seductive. And she’s different enough to capture our attention until we quickly figure out that she’s really just a souped-up scooter. But there’s too much about Ginger that would have to change to make her work for consumers.

In fact, there’s too much consumers would have to change about themselves to fit Ginger in their lives. Sell the house in suburbia and move to the city. Give up the car. Travel extra lightly everywhere. Dodge kids and old people on sidewalks. Great inventions should enhance our lives, not complicate them.

For now, we say no thanks to Ginger. We’ll stick with MaryAnn.

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