Courtesy: huntingtonbeachsegway.com
Segways: A compromise of safety in Disney Theme Parks
The use Segways as personal mobility devices in theme parks, opposing argument
Segway is an electronic transporter based on two-wheels. The device can carry one rider to travel in different terrains and allows the rider to balance on two wheels. The scooter uses network control mechanism, propulsion, sensors and mechanical assembly. The scooter has a stabilization technology, and the device uses software to adjust according to terrain and the rider. The device was invented by Dean Kamen but has been recalled several times owing to the product malfunctions and defects (Weiss, 2013).
The Department of Justice (DOJ) 2010 ADA Title III regulations has stirred controversy as DOJ requires that public accommodations must make reasonable modifications for giving permission for using Personal mobility devices (PMDs) in their premises. DOJ specifies two PMDs. One is the wheelchair and other is power-driven PMDs. Segway is amongst the second category of PMDs. After several cases of injury caused by the use of Segways, Disneyland decided to disallow the use of Segways in their theme parks due to several cases of injury. Powers (2007) reported that Segway has sued Walt Disney World (WDW) to let guests use Segway scooters. However, DOJ forces public accommodation to impose safety requirements for using Segways that are not speculative but should be based on actual risks. Disney Land has come up with some alternatives to the issue by introducing their own stand-up four wheel mobility devices or from companies such as Chariot 4-wheel scooter. Still, DOJ has forced Disney to allow using Segways, and this causes serious business issues for Disney. Following are highlights of injury cases filed by Segway customers regarding lack of safety and malfunctioning of Segway scooter.
The incidents
Jimi Heselden's death: Jimi Heselden, owner of the firm Segway who bought the company dies in a tragic accident falling off the cliff of a mountain while riding Segway PMD (Reuters, 2010). The news caused deep concern regarding safety and security of Segway as a PMD.
Don Greenfield, Pennsylvania: Don Greenfield dies while riding his two-wheeled Segway scooter in Pennsylvania. Don hit a path hole while driving Segway, but his wife survived.
Marchelle Syverson: He was an IBM employee who died while being hit by a drunken driver when Marchelle was on his Segway scooter. It was also observed that 18 complaints were received by the city authorities against Segway drivers in Honolulu (Metcalfe, 2012).
Richmond dealer lawsuits: A Segway dealer in Richmond was sued three times after the customers using Segway scooter fell off while trying to control the scooter. Lunging and lurching incidents of scooters are routinely reported in the media. The dealer says he is covered with liability insurance but facing three lawsuits at once renders his business severely impacted. The plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against Richmond-based Segway dealer are named Marge Pritchett, Jenny Honeycutt and Jeffury Whitt. Schwartz (2011) reports that all three Richmond-based plaintiffs are also going to sue Segway Incorporated.
Another inconsistency in the stance of DOJ is that it used Metro Segway Program to substantiate its stance on forcing Disney to allow Segway use its theme parks. The department authorities said that since D.C. Metro permits disable commuters to use Segway as a mobility device by showing Metro's disability related program, Disney should also allow the same. However, Burgin (2011) mentions that DOJ's direction to Disney is inconsistent with the department's recent ADA amended regulations. The ADA regulation requires that WDW should accept verbal representation as a credible assurance for allowing disabled persons to use Segway as a mobility device in the Disney theme parks.
The design gurus mark the Segway design a failure
Apple's co-founder Steve Jobs also criticized the design elements of Segway scooter by terming the design as being "stupid" (Caulifield, 2010). What triggered Job's comments was the failure of the Segway executive team to understand that the firm shall not be developing proprietary software for the scooter. Jobs criticized the Segway being launched in two models rather than one and also lamented that the company has failed to anticipate the need for a strong team of technologists if the software is to remain proprietary. Jobs pushed the company to adopt open source software that can be modified by technologists and code writers if the company comes across some issues related to software. However, Dugh Field and Scott Waters did not approve of the idea and let the scooter launch with a proprietary...
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