Ogo, a new take on personal transportation • Hacker News Board

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#81

Post by mfoy_ » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:06 PM UTC

JulianMorrison wrote: post #78

hliyan wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I noticed two support wheels in the rear. I suspect it might be there to keep the occupant from hurting himself if he fall backward due to a situation like the one you described.

The balance mechanism will keep them from falling backward - but interpret a heavy backward arch as "reverse fast" and a forward jerk as "damn the torpedoes, all ahead full" and a sideways flop as "spin wildly". So it's less a problem of them falling out or falling over, as one of them dashing around like a panicking bull, ramming things and people at 20mph.

Maaaaybe there would be heuristics that would interpret such wild movement as unhealthy and trigger a medical alert.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#82

Post by masklinn » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:07 PM UTC

TeMPOraL wrote: post #63

scribu wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree and I think the cool factor comes from the fact that users of Ogo need it in order to move without their hands being tied up and also that it actually takes a bit of muscle effort to operate. Compare to Segways, which are associated with laziness (at least in my mind).

Segways are cool. Don't have one but I got a chance to test it once. I can see how they could be useful for things like malls and factory floors, in a similar way a kick scooter is. But you know what? Kick scooter is even cooler! The speeds you can achieve on a good concrete surface are exhilarating!

From the outside, powered monowheel seem cooler and less obnoxious than segways. The speed of some of them seems utterly ridiculous though (some brands/models are quoted at 20mph)

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#83

Post by agentgt » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:08 PM UTC

I wonder if they have any plans on dealing with stairs. Honestly I think the arm freedom is a big deal so I think they could come up with some novel ideas for stairs or other terrain. Bipedal movement (or I guess any number of legs) is impressive in that it can handle a variety of terrain.

A trite and cheesy observation... it seems we are trying to make machines learn to walk and humans learn to roll :)

All in all I think the product/idea are great.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#84

Post by bpodgursky » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:10 PM UTC

JulianMorrison wrote: post #69

One downside I can see for this: it looks like, if the user had a seizure, it would be extremely dangerous. It would keep them in the seat but interpret their movements as erratic hard accelerations and sharp turns.

Ok... so are cars (in fact, they are much worse), but we survive somehow. I mean, I guess this is true, but being paralyzed usually does not mean you are unusually predisposed to seizures. This criticism kind of feels like hunting for problems.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#85

Post by JulianMorrison » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:11 PM UTC

mfoy_ wrote: post #81

JulianMorrison wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The balance mechanism will keep them from falling backward - but interpret a heavy backward arch as "reverse fast" and a forward jerk as "damn the torpedoes, all ahead full" and a sideways flop as "spin wildly". So it's less a problem of them falling out or falling over, as one of them dashing around like a panicking bull, ramming things and people at 20mph.

Maaaaybe there would be heuristics that would interpret such wild movement as unhealthy and trigger a medical alert.

Can such a heuristic distinguish wild movement from basketball (as shown in the video)?

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#86

Post by cuchoi » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:13 PM UTC

JulianMorrison wrote: post #69

One downside I can see for this: it looks like, if the user had a seizure, it would be extremely dangerous. It would keep them in the seat but interpret their movements as erratic hard accelerations and sharp turns.

Are people with disabilities have more seizures?

Independent of the answer I feel that this can also be applied with any human beings (with disabilities or not) and cars.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#87

Post by ams6110 » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:14 PM UTC

dfan wrote: post #45

Judging by all the comments here from people who evidently didn't watch the video, they could really use a bit more explanatory text on the home page.

Video is a bad way to convey information on a website, especially one targeting disabled folks.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#88

Post by openasocket » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:19 PM UTC

bpodgursky wrote: post #84

JulianMorrison wrote: post #69

One downside I can see for this: it looks like, if the user had a seizure, it would be extremely dangerous. It would keep them in the seat but interpret their movements as erratic hard accelerations and sharp turns.

Ok... so are cars (in fact, they are much worse), but we survive somehow. I mean, I guess this is true, but being paralyzed usually does not mean you are unusually predisposed to seizures. This criticism kind of feels like hunting for problems.

people who regularly get seizures are not allowed to drive. The laws vary a lot by country and state and can be looked up here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy_and_driving Most of the time the law is of the form "you must be seizure-free for months in order to drive"

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#89

Post by mintplant » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:19 PM UTC

andy_ppp wrote: post #24

teekert wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The movie seems to target disabled people, not fat/unhealthy people.

I thought this but the article title is "Ogo, a new take on personal transportation". I think I'm fine, unless the article title is wrong... It's been known to happen :-)

Watch the video. The inventor was inspired by a paraplegic friend.

Re: Ogo, a new take on personal transportation

#90

Post by paulsutter » Mon, Oct 19, 2015, 2:21 PM UTC

scribu wrote: post #58

paulsutter wrote: post #28

This looks like a huge improvement over a wheelchair (have you ever tried the joystick control on an electric wheelchair?). Way better mobility. And it looks cool. Completely the opposite feeling of watching someone on a Segway, which could make even the coolest person look like a mall cop.

I agree and I think the cool factor comes from the fact that users of Ogo need it in order to move without their hands being tied up and also that it actually takes a bit of muscle effort to operate. Compare to Segways, which are associated with laziness (at least in my mind).

Yes - I think you've identified the reason, they're actively involved. And it's not just cool, using the core muscles is pretty important, as he mentioned.

Perhaps the best thing is that able-bodied people will feel jealous when they see it.