Urban Transport

Segway launches three-wheeled SE-3 Patroller

Segway launches three-wheeled SE-3 Patroller
The new three-wheeled Segway SE-3 Patroller
The new three-wheeled Segway SE-3 Patroller
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The SE-3 Patroller has independent direct rear wheel electric drive, Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight
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The SE-3 Patroller has independent direct rear wheel electric drive, Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight
Existing Patroller vehicles have been deployed in over 1,500 police departments and public safety organizations around the world
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Existing Patroller vehicles have been deployed in over 1,500 police departments and public safety organizations around the world
The Segway SE-3 Patroller runs on multiple Li-ion batteries and has independent direct rear wheel electric drive
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The Segway SE-3 Patroller runs on multiple Li-ion batteries and has independent direct rear wheel electric drive
The new three-wheeled Segway SE-3 Patroller
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The new three-wheeled Segway SE-3 Patroller
The SE-3 Patroller benefits from independent front and rear hydraulic brakes
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The SE-3 Patroller benefits from independent front and rear hydraulic brakes
The SE-3 Patroller features Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight
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The SE-3 Patroller features Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight
The SE-3 Patroller comes with Rider Detect technology, which disables the motors if a rider is not on the vehicle
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The SE-3 Patroller comes with Rider Detect technology, which disables the motors if a rider is not on the vehicle
The SE-3 includes safety features such as anti-rollover technology to help keep things on the up
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The SE-3 includes safety features such as anti-rollover technology to help keep things on the up
View gallery - 8 images

Segway has announced that its family of patrol vehicles is about to get a new member. Developed for the security, law enforcement, emergency response and military markets, the new SE-3 Patroller is a little different from its self-balancing two-wheeled stablemates. It has been treated to a third wheel out front, reportedly giving the stand-up electric vehicle a greater visible presence, even when parked, and allowing for easier mount and dismount.

Segway was founded in 1999 by Dean Kamen to develop dynamically-stabilized, highly maneuverable, zero emission personal transport vehicles. The first models appeared in 2002 and, though not as popular with commuters as the company had hoped, are now a familiar sight in many shopping malls, airports and pedestrianized areas. In fact, Segway says that the existing Patroller vehicles have been deployed in over 1,500 police departments and public safety organizations around the world.

The SE-3 Patroller has independent direct rear wheel electric drive, Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight
The SE-3 Patroller has independent direct rear wheel electric drive, Whelen emergency lights and siren, and LED headlight

We don't have much in the way of detailed specs on the new three-wheeler to offer, but can tell you that the Segway SE-3 Patroller runs on multiple Li-ion batteries that can be charged from standard wall outlet or hot-swapped for continuous operation without needing to break out the toolbox.

The vehicle has independent direct rear wheel electric drive, Whelen emergency lights and siren, and an LED headlight. Data relating to the operation of the vehicle, such as speed and remaining battery life, can be viewed on a sunlight-readable 4.3-inch display.

The SE-3 includes safety features such as anti-rollover technology to help keep things on the up, independent front and rear hydraulic brakes, and Rider Detect, which disables the motors if a rider is not on the vehicle. There's an included accessory bar for attaching such things as video surveillance cameras, and a built-in 12 V power-to-go outlet for charging mobile devices.

The Segway SE-3 Patroller runs on multiple Li-ion batteries and has independent direct rear wheel electric drive
The Segway SE-3 Patroller runs on multiple Li-ion batteries and has independent direct rear wheel electric drive

Segway says that the new Patroller's electronic systems have been designed for weather-proof operation, and its rugged plastic panels can be individually replaced if damaged.

The SE-3 Patroller joins the company's existing two-wheel patrol vehicles, the i2 SE and the x2 SE, and rolls in a similar price ball park as the already available Raptor three-wheeler from the UK's Ecospin, at US$12,000 each. The first shipments are due to start in June.

Product page: SE-3 Patroller

View gallery - 8 images
17 comments
17 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really neat.
I have a feeling that the first Segway did not do well since it is expensive and did not live up to the hype (will obsolete all other forms of transportation?).
Are there not other companies with something similar but with a more affordable price tag?
Wayne Taylor
What a waste of tax-payer dollars. Hey, can anyone think of a reason we need fat, out-of shape police? We will be safe as long as criminals don't walk up or down stairs to evade capture. Bike police accomplish the exact same thing at WAY under $12,000 (not including future maintenance).
felix
Haha! So Segway's big innovation is to add a third wheel! The irony is not lost on me.
Daishi
@BigWarpGuy Segway never found much of a market in individual buyers because of the price but there are "segway tours" where you can rent segways in some cities and use it for GPS guided tours either solo or with a group that would be cool.
Aside from that I think their main market is security guards and airport police. I've done security before and standing on asphalt for a long time is a pain even without huffing it around a spread out area. You also wouldn't think of asphalt as soft but it beats spending spending 12-13 hours on a marble floor.
Steven Greer
When I saw this on my RSS feed I thought it was something you'd sit down on while you rode, now of course it looks more like a 'chariot' deal. Anyway, my first "you ride it sitting down" thought was...
Scooty Puff Jr.!!!!!!!!! (anyone else? no?)
...but seriously, the 3 wheel irony mentioned by felix is priceless. LOL
Gadgeteer
Isn't this just a copy of the T3 Motion scooter that's been available (for much less than $12,000) for the better part of a decade?
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6343/
The Skud
At least the 'self balancing' computer programming algorithms would be simpler!
The Skud
Interesting thought - What is to stop somebdy 'hot-swapping' the battery pack into the back of their white van while the cop is chasing a bad guy up some apartment stairs?
Sheldon Cooper
Put a seat on it! - or would it then just be an electric trike? No doubt a seat will eventually be offered as an expensive extra.
kid-jensen
Never has there been a more innappropriate use of technology than the original Segway. Why does it need to be self-balancing? The rider is perfectly capable of self-balancing, from the age of about 12 months if I recall correctly. I also seem to remember that the rider is also perfectly capable of travelling at 4 mph.... All those processors (presumably Intel, with their traditional cavalier attitude to power consumption) working away to keep the thing upright, and so little power left to drive it along. It would seem that after millions of dollars development, Segway have finally realised the error of their ways. Too bad you can buy a perfectly good alternative (electric skateboard) for a few hundred quid...
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