Segway i Series User manual

Segway®HT
riders’ guide
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before you ride, study this guide.

®
© 2005 Segway LLC
how to ride the Segway Human Transporter (HT) safely.

WARNING!
3
the Segway HT riders’ guide
the Segway HT riders’ guide
The Segway HT is unlike anything you have ever experienced. To ride it safely you must read the Riders' Guide for your Segway HT
model and watch the Safety Video. If you don’t have the Safety Video, contact an Authorized Segway Dealer. For a list of Dealers, visit
www.segway.com. Use this guide for the following Segway HT models: i Series, p Series, Segway Cross-Terrain Transporter (XT),
and Segway Golf Transporter (GT). For other Segway HT models, contact Segway or an Authorized Segway Dealer to obtain user
materials. Check the website for updates to Segway HT user materials: www.segway.com.
RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY
Whenever you ride the Segway HT, you risk death or serious injury from loss of control, collisions, and
falls. To reduce risk of injury, you must read and follow all instructions and warnings in the Riders’ Guide
for your Segway HT model and you must watch the Safety Video.
Watch the Safety Video
This Riders' Guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the Safety Video. There is unique information in both
the Riders' Guide and the Safety Video. Please use both!
Segway LLC Contact Information
Segway Customer Operations: 1-866-4SEGWAY (1-866-473-4929). Fax: [phone].
Email: [e-mail]. Website: www.segway.com.

4
the risk of injury
the risk of injury
The Segway HT is a self-balancing human transporter that uses patented balancing technology. Balancing
technology cannot prevent injury if you do not ride the Segway HT safely. Whenever you ride the Segway HT, you risk
injury from loss of control, collisions, and falls. It is your responsibility to learn how to safely ride the Segway HT in
order to reduce this risk. This Riders' Guide and the Safety Video are designed to help you learn.
learning to ride the Segway HT
Segway wants you to be safe and enjoy learning how to ride your Segway HT.
Think about how you learned to ride a bike, drive a car, ski, or do just about anything else involving transportation.
You probably had somebody help you learn. You started in a safe location. You started slowly. All these techniques
apply to the Segway HT.
If you carefully follow all the instructions and warnings in this Riders' Guide and the Safety Video, you should be able
to teach yourself how to ride the Segway HT, but you must be careful. If you try to teach yourself without reading this
guide and watching the video, you are at much greater risk of injury. Please don't take that risk.

5
Segway HT models
Segway HT models
This guide provides instructions on how to ride the i Series, p Series, Segway XT and Segway GT models. Please
refer to the Reference Manual for model descriptions and specifications.
i Series p Series Segway XT Segway GT

6
how the Segway HT balances
how the Segway HT balances... and how it can fall
The Segway HT’s sensors detect whether the Segway HT and rider are leaning forward or backward. The Segway HT
then immediately instructs its Wheels to roll forward or backward as necessary to stay upright. When you ride the
Segway HT, you gently lean forward to make it go forward, you center your weight over the Wheels to remain
stationary, and you gently lean backward to make it go backward. With practice, you will easily learn how to move
forward and backward, turn and stop. Whenever riding, avoid abrupt maneuvers. Fast starts, fast stops, and fast
turns are dangerous and can lead to loss of control, collisions, and falls.
Even with its balancing ability, the Segway HT, just like a person, can slip, trip, and tip over. To reduce risk of injury,
you must avoid slips, trips, and tips.
As described in this guide and the Safety Video, all Segway HT riders should first learn to ride, and practice riding, in
an area with a level, smooth riding surface with good traction, without obstructions. This applies to Segway XT and
Segway GT riders, too. Even though both models have Tires that provide increased traction, the rider must still learn
to ride as described in this guide and the Safety Video, and learn how to avoid slips, trips, and tips. All Segway HT
riders should only gradually move onto more varied or rugged terrain as their riding skills improve with practice.

7
how the Segway HT balances
slips
Loss of traction leads to falls.
The Segway HT Tires must grip the ground for the
machine to stay upright!
Avoid slippery surfaces.
A person slips when stepping on ice or other slippery
surfaces because the person loses traction—the
person’s shoe does not grip the surface. The
Segway HT can slip in the same way. If a Tire loses
traction, then the Segway HT cannot move to stay
upright and the rider could fall. To be safe, you must
avoid slippery surfaces, such as snow, ice, wet floors,
wet grass, or any other surface that you might slip on if
you were running. Also, remember that wet, soapy, and
oily Tires can lose traction and slip on any surface, so
use extreme caution.
Avoid loose objects and materials.
A person can also slip by stepping on a branch, cord, or
other object that rolls under foot or by stepping on
loose materials like small stones. The Segway HT can
slip in the same way. To be safe, you must avoid riding
over loose objects or materials.
Avoid steep slopes.
A person is more likely to slip walking up or down a
steep slope because he needs more traction. In the
same way, if you ride your Segway HT up or down a
steep slope, you are more likely to lose traction and fall.
To be safe, you should avoid riding up or down steep
slopes.
trips
Avoid holes, curbs, steps, and other obstacles.
If a Wheel can’t move, the Segway HT is in danger of
losing balance.
A person trips when she unexpectedly hits an obstacle
with her foot or steps into a hole or off a curb. The
person leans forward, expecting to take a normal
stride, but the obstacle, hole, or curb prevents her leg
from moving as expected, and she trips. The
Segway HT can trip in the same way. If a Segway HT
Wheel runs into an obstacle, wall, hole, or off a curb or
step, the Segway HT might not be able to move as
necessary to stay upright, and the Segway HT and rider
could fall. To be safe, you must avoid riding into holes,
walls, other obstacles, or into or off curbs or steps.
Also, you must avoid riding over any surface where the
bottom of the Segway HT may strike any object.

8
how the Segway HT balances
Be careful on terrain changes.
You must be very careful when riding over any terrain
change (such as from pavement to grass, or over a
threshold or speed bump). Every terrain change is a
potential obstacle.
Maintain Tire contact with the ground.
Both Tires must be in contact with the ground for the
Segway HT to have traction. You must be very careful
when riding on uneven terrain to make sure that both
Tires remain in contact with the ground. If a Tire leaves
the ground, that Wheel loses traction and you could
fall.
tips
The Segway HT balances front to back but not side-to-
side!
A “tip” is falling over sideways. People usually don’t tip
because they lean to the side to maintain balance.
Think of walking across a hill. You lean uphill to
maintain balance. Or think about running fast around a
corner. You lean into the turn. If you did not lean uphill
or into the turn, you could lose balance, tip, and fall.
Lean into turns and lean uphill.
When riding a Segway HT, you must lean in the same
way. The rider is responsible for maintaining side-to-
side balance by leaning uphill when riding across
slopes (or whenever one Wheel is higher than the
other) and by leaning into turns. If the rider fails to
actively maintain this side-to-side balance, the
Segway HT will tip sideways and the Segway HT and
rider could fall. This is why you must always lean into
turns, avoid riding across steep slopes, and lean uphill
when riding across any slope.

9
Segway HT safety features
Segway HT safety features... recognize and respond
speed limiter
If the Segway HT pushes the Handlebar back, slow
down!
Recognize: The Segway HT will push its Handlebar
back to slow the rider down. The speed at which the
Segway HT pushes the Handlebar back depends on a
variety of factors, including riding style, terrain,
payload, the Key used to start the Segway HT, Battery
Pack condition, and other factors (see the Reference
Manual). When you approach the maximum allowed
speed based on these factors, the Segway HT will push
the Handlebar back to slow you down. This is called
Speed Limiter.
Respond: If you feel the Speed Limiter push the
Handlebar back, stop leaning forward and slow down.
You should always leave a gap between yourself and the
Handlebar. Riding against the Handlebar can cause
loss of control, collisions, falls and injury.

10
Segway HT safety features
stick shake warning when riding
If you feel the Segway HT shake and hear growling
noises, slow down. If the shaking and growling noise
persist, come to a controlled stop and safely step off.
Recognize: One of the ways that the Segway HT notifies
you that you are at risk of falling is by shaking the
Handlebar and making growling noises. This is called
Stick Shake Warning. The Stick Shake Warning will
occur if you ride backward too fast or if you demand too
much power from the Segway HT, such as by riding on
a steep slope, on rough terrain, against an obstacle, or
by accelerating or decelerating abruptly.
Stick Shake Warning is more likely to occur when your
Battery Packs are low, cold, heavily used, or poorly
maintained.
See the Reference Manual for additional information
about the Stick Shake Warning, and how it can occur in
certain non-riding situations.
Respond: If you feel the Stick Shake Warning while
riding, slow down. If the Stick Shake Warning persists,
come to a stop and safely step off.

11
Segway HT safety features
safety shutdown
If you feel the Segway HT slow down and shake its
Handlebar, hear growling and beeping noises, and see
the Display flash red, you should come to a stop and
step off.
Recognize: If the Segway HT detects a fault in any of its
redundant subsystems (see the Reference Manual for a
list), the Segway HT notifies you by automatically
reducing its speed, shaking its Handlebar, making
growling and beeping noises, and flashing red in the
Display. This is called a Safety Shutdown.
Respond: You have approximately 10 seconds from the
start of Safety Shutdown to come to a controlled stop
and safely step off. After approximately 10 seconds, the
Segway HT will stop balancing and you must have both
feet off the Segway HT.
During a Safety Shutdown, the Segway HT may stop
balancing and shut down immediately if you tilt it backward
too steeply, and you are stopped or moving slowly.
Any time you encounter a Safety Shutdown, you should
be prepared to step off as soon as you come to a stop.
Watch the Safety Video and familiarize yourself with the
sound and motion of a Safety Shutdown.
Empty Battery Condition
The Segway HT will notify you of a pending empty
battery condition prior to initiating Safety Shutdown.
A red unhappy face icon will appear in the Display, the
Segway HT’s speed will be limited, and the Segway HT
will beep. In some cases, old, cold, heavily used, or
poorly maintained Battery Packs may develop a high
resistance condition, which could cause the Display to
show the pending empty battery condition even though
the Battery Packs were recently charged. Whenever
you see the pending empty battery condition icon in the
Display, you should come to a controlled stop and
safely step off of the Segway HT prior to
commencement of the Safety Shutdown.
This icon will be shown in the Display:
Never restart and ride your Segway HT after it has
indicated an empty battery condition or performed
Safety Shutdown due to low battery. The Segway HT
may not have enough power to keep you balanced,
especially if you demand a lot of power at once. If you
restart and continue riding, you risk falling. Also, you
risk damaging your Battery Packs, resulting in reduced
Battery Pack life and capacity. Fully recharge your
Battery Packs within the recommended charging
temperature range prior to riding. If the condition
persists, contact an Authorized Segway Dealer.
See the Reference Manual for information about the
battery charge level indicator that appears in the
Display.

12
your first ride
your first ride
powering on and off and entering
balance mode
When you are ready for your first ride, follow these
instructions in the order listed:
Make sure you have read this entire Riders' Guide and
watched the Safety Video.
1. Make sure your Segway HT is assembled and
charged as described in the separate assembly
instructions provided with your Segway HT.
The Segway GT comes with a Golf Bag Carrier with
separate instructions and warnings for proper
installation and use. Before installing the Golf Bag
Carrier, we recommend that you learn to ride as
described in this guide and the Safety Video. To
reduce risk of injury, be sure to follow those
separate instructions when installing and riding
with the Golf Bag Carrier.
2. Select an appropriate area for your first ride.
This may be an indoor or outdoor area and should
measure at least 12 feet by 12 feet (4 meters by 4
meters) with no obstructions and a level, smooth
riding surface with good traction, away from
vehicles, bicycles, pets, small children, and other
distractions.
3. You will need a friend to act as your “spotter.”
Using a spotter is the safest way to step on your
Segway HT for the first time. The spotter can also
help you with these instructions so that you can
concentrate on the procedure. If you try your first
ride without a spotter, you are at greater risk of
injury and you probably won’t enjoy the experience
as much.
Ask your friend to read you
the instructions while you
learn to ride.

13
your first ride
4. Put on your helmet.
5. If you deployed the Parking Stand (available on
i Series models only), retract it before you begin.
6. Move the Segway HT to the center of your selected
area.
7. Adjust the Handlebar height.
Loosen the Height Adjustment Collar by turning it
counterclockwise. Move the Handlebar until it is
just above your elbow (while you are standing on the
floor). Tighten the Height Adjustment Collar.
Adjusting to the correct height is important for both
safety and comfort.
8. Acquaint yourself with the following items on the
Handlebar: Steering Grip, Mode Button, Key Port,
and Display.
above elbow height
2
1
3
Steering Grip
Mode Button Key Port
Display

14
your first ride
9. Acquaint yourself with some of the icons that may
appear in the Display:
10. Gently press the Beginner Key into the Key Port.
You should hear a tone as the Segway HT turns on.
When you hear the tone, remove the Key. You
should see this in the Display:
DO NOT STEP ON YET! YOUR SEGWAY HT IS NOW
ON, BUT IT IS NOT BALANCING.
11. Remove Key.
ride
Full performance
available
(Balance Mode)
Performance
is reduced
(Balance Mode)
display icon
quick reference chart
do not ride
Refer to the
Reference Manual
(Power Assist Mode)
1
2
3
Trouble starting up?
See the troubleshooting chapter
in the Reference Manual.

15
your first ride
12. Before you proceed with your first ride, practice
powering off your Segway HT. You turn the power off
by pressing and holding the Mode Button on the
Handlebar for two seconds, until the Display shows
an orange sleepy face (the Display segments vary
depending on software version). The Segway HT will
now power off.
13. After you practice powering off, power on again with
the Beginner Key so that you see the following
Display:
14. Stand back from, or to the side of the Segway HT.
While holding the Handlebar so the Platform is
level, briefly tap (press and release) the Mode
Button. After you tap the Button, you should hear a
tone and see a green smiling face in the Display. A
green smiling face means that the Segway HT is in
Balance Mode and ready to ride. You will also notice
a vertical bar scrolling across the face.
Check that the Segway HT is in Balance Mode by
slowly moving the Handlebar forward and back and
making sure that the Wheels respond. Never
attempt to step on the Segway HT unless you have
confirmed that it is in Balance Mode by seeing the
green smiling face in the Display, and making sure
that it moves its Wheels when you move the
Handlebar.
If you fail to hold the Platform level, the Segway HT will
not enter Balance Mode. Move the Handlebar to make
the Platform level, and then tap the Mode Button again.
hold
2
1
3tap
3
4
2
level to floor
1

16
your first ride
1. Make sure the Segway HT is in Balance Mode.
2. Have your spotter stand in front of the Segway HT,
face you, and hold the Handlebar and Control Shaft
securely with both hands. Your spotter should be
prepared to firmly hold the Segway HT to keep it
from moving.
3. Now you will step on the Segway HT.
a) Hold the Hand Grips lightly. Be careful not to
rotate the Steering Grip.
b) Keeping the Platform level, place just one foot
on the Platform.
c) Slowly lift your other foot just barely off the
ground. Then put it back down on the ground.
d) Practice slowly raising your foot off the ground
and putting it back down until you can raise it
without the Segway HT moving back and forth.
e) Try to keep your head up and look forward.
f) Once you can raise your foot off the ground
without the Segway HT moving, SLOWLY place it
on the Platform. Be prepared. Some people rock
back and forth involuntarily when they first step
on. Try to be calm and relaxed.
g) Look forward.
h) If you feel unstable, step off the Segway HT with
both feet, one foot at a time, and pause before
stepping back on.
WARNING!
=body weight
stepping on
Before you step on, read the
following steps 1 through 15.

17
your first ride
4. Once you feel comfortable, and your spotter does
not feel the Segway HT pushing or pulling, have him
let go and back away one arm’s length. Your spotter
should stand ready to grab the Handlebar, if
necessary. You should try to remain still and feel
the Segway HT balance. Remember, if you lean
forward, the Segway HT will move forward. If you
lean back, it will move back. To stay stationary keep
your weight centered over the Wheels.
5. Once you are comfortable remaining still on the
Segway HT, practice stepping off.
a) Make sure you are at a complete stop.
b) Have your spotter securely hold the Handlebar.
c) Remove your left hand from the Steering Grip.
d) Keeping the Platform level, step down to the
rear of the Segway HT, one foot at a time.
Continue to hold the Handlebar with the
Platform level. If you tilt the Platform when the
Segway HT is in Balance Mode, it will move and
could bump into you or another person or object.
6. Do not let go of the Segway HT when it is in Balance
Mode. After stepping off, hold onto the Handlebar
until you switch to Power Assist Mode (see page 24)
or power off. If you let go of the Segway HT while it
is still in Balance Mode, it could run into a person or
object and cause injury or damage.
stepping off

18
your first ride
7. Now, with your spotter helping (or just standing
nearby), practice stepping on again using the same
procedure. Before stepping on, check for the green
smiling face in the Display and that the Segway HT
moves its Wheels when you move the Handlebar.
8. After you step on, slowly lean forward and feel the
Segway HT move forward. Then stop leaning
forward and feel it slow down and stop. Do this a
few times. The further you lean, the faster it will
accelerate.
9. Now slowly lean back and feel the Segway HT move
backward. Then stop leaning back and feel it slow
down and stop. Do this a few times. You should not
ride backward except to maneuver a few feet.
Instead, turn and ride forward. There is a difference
between maneuvering backward and riding
backward; similar to the difference between
stepping back and walking backward. Maneuver
backward only when you need to open a door or
back away from an obstacle.
10. Practice going forward and back. Be careful not to
run the Wheels into any wall or other object. This
could cause loss of control and a fall.
11. Now practice turning in place. To turn in place,
slowly and smoothly rotate the Steering Grip to the
right. The Segway HT will rotate so that you turn in
place. Do the same thing to the left. Practice this a
few times in each direction.
my Segway HT is vibrating!
Did you let go of the Segway HT? The
vibration is a Stick Shake Warning. Don't
let your Segway HT move without you.
Did you walk your Segway HT some
distance? Make sure it's not in Balance
Mode when you walk your Segway HT.

19
your first ride
12. After you are comfortable going forward and back
and turning in place, try riding forward while slowly
and smoothly turning the Steering Grip. Keep your
knees slightly bent and lean into the turn. Make a
few circles in each direction.
13. After you make a few circles in each direction,
practice stopping by shifting your weight. When
moving forward, you gently shift your weight back to
bring the Segway HT to a stop. Once stopped, center
your weight over the Wheels to remain stationary. If
you continue to lean back, you will move backward.
Practice choosing a spot on the ground, and coming
to a smooth controlled stop at that spot. Then
remain stationary. Avoid abrupt stops and slippery
surfaces. Stopping abruptly, especially on slippery
surfaces, can cause the Segway HT’s Tires to lose
traction, and you could fall.
14. After you practice stopping a few times, move to the
center of your riding space, stop and step off.
Remember to follow the entire procedure for
stepping off, described earlier.
As you step down off the Platform, do not lean
backward or pull back on the Handlebar, or the
Segway HT will back into you. After stepping off,
continue to hold the Handlebar. Do not let go of the
Handlebar until after you power off the Segway HT.
You must remove both feet (one at a time) before
you can power off.

20
your first ride
15. To power off the Segway HT, press and hold the
Mode Button for two seconds, until the Display
shows an orange sleepy face (the Display segments
vary depending on software version). The Display
will then go blank, indicating the Segway HT is
powered off.
Never let go of your Segway HT when in Balance Mode,
because the Segway HT will travel some distance on its
own before shutting down. The Segway HT will not
travel very far if you let go of it when it is stopped. But, if
you let go of it when it is moving at any speed, it could
travel much farther, risking injury to others and
damage to the Segway HT.
Congratulations, you completed your first ride! You
may feel that you are now ready for riding out in the
real world, but you’re not. Before you are ready for
the real world, you must 1) practice so that you
maneuver the Segway HT with the same precision as
you walk; and 2) learn to quickly identify and avoid the
situations that could cause slips, trips, and tips.
hold
2
1
3