Build a Segway Clone

Build a Segway clone for less than $2k, using only parts you can buy off the internet without talking to a human. That seems like a tall order but he did it...and then redid it. :D

Did you pass this along to Slang?

Segway wrote:

Safety features

Everything is dual redundant. For example, "in the unlikely event of a battery failure, the system is designed to use the second battery to operate the machine and allow it to continue balancing until it is brought to a safe stop."

"dual redundant" huh? Have I misunderstood the meaning of redundant? "dual redundant" should mean, in my mind, there are four independant systems for every function: the primary, the backup, the backup-primary, and the backup-backup. A primary and a backup would simply be called redundant.

I think dual redundant means that they are mutually redundant to each other: instead of a primary and a backup, you have two primaries, each of which can shoulder the whole load if necessary.

Clodfobble, what is your IQ?

I believe CF is correct. This isn't really exotic, Flint. Your braking system on your car is likely "dual redundant" in that the two reservoirs for the brake fluid each serve one front and one rear wheel, though they are both actuated by the same pedal and master cylinder.

But nice catch. Good to see you're reading for comprehension and not just lip exercise. :)

BigV;319088 wrote:

I believe CF is correct. This isn't really exotic, Flint. Your braking system on your car is likely "dual redundant" in that the two reservoirs for the brake fluid each serve one front and one rear wheel, though they are both actuated by the same pedal and master cylinder.

But nice catch. Good to see you're reading for comprehension and not just lip exercise. :)

OF course CF is correct! She's CF, man.

lip excercise. Niiiice. nyuck nyuck.

Clodfobble;319069 wrote:

I think dual redundant means that they are mutually redundant to each other: instead of a primary and a backup, you have two primaries, each of which can shoulder the whole load if necessary.

I see... I'm not entirely sure that this isn't semantics. I had thought of "redundant" as a primary and a backup. Now, by backup, it needs to be able to back up the other one, not just a little bit, but 100%. Otherwise, it isn't really a backup, is it? So, call it "two primaries" if that's your preferred terminology; but the point is that I've suffered my whole life under the misapprehension that having "two primaries" (one to back up the other) is referred to as redundant. As in: NASA builds space shuttles with redundant systems, etc.

Now to take the extra step, to call it "dual redundant" must mean something. Either it's #1: "dual redundant" simply means "redundant" #2: as in BigV's example, it's less than redundant (what if the pedal or master cylinder goes out?) or #3: "dual redundant" is a hyped-up marketing word, designed to fool the consumer into thinking that they're getting something better than redundant (it's dual redundant, IE twice as good) ... I may be wrong here, but I'm going with #3, "dual redundant" is marketing hype, "redundant" is the word they should have used.

So if I said I built a Segway clone for less than $2, then would I be redundant?

footfootfoot wrote:

Clodfobble, what is your IQ?

Psh, hell if I know. I've never bothered to click on one of those banner ads. :) Would you believe that I picked up that particular tidbit because I did the voiceacting on a training course for retailers of a particular computer networking failover product? You can learn a lot by recording corporate training courses. My favorite has been a series of courses for a new home builder, I know all sorts of crap about house construction standards now.

Flint wrote:

I see... I'm not entirely sure that this isn't semantics. I had thought of "redundant" as a primary and a backup. Now, by backup, it needs to be able to back up the other one, not just a little bit, but 100%. Otherwise, it isn't really a backup, is it?

Then what would you call it when the backup isn't as good as the primary? For example, you couldn't drive on your spare tire all the time, it definitely doesn't qualify as a primary, but it gets the job done when you need to travel from the side of the road to a mechanic.

Having a spare tire is not a redundant system. A "dualie" is redundant (and legally required, over certain weight limits):

I wouldn't say a dualie is redundant since the purpose of the second wheel is to spread the load over a greater area, thus allowing greater loads.

Although as used by a lot of folks who are driving empty dualies, they are redundant.

I figured that another part of the function is that, if one tire blows out, another one is already there, thus you don't fishtail with your load and wipe out a minivan full of unsuspecting innocents.

tw;319109 wrote:

So if I said I built a Segway clone for less than $2, then would I be redundant?

Segway would be redundant...much like this thread.;)

I insist that the dual in dual redundant is redundant. When you remove the redundant dual from dual redundant you still have redundant.

Dual redundant means it is not triple redundant or quadruple redundant. Most of the critical systems in commercial aircraft are triple redundant. Some military aircraft have quadruple redundant systems. :cool:

Flint;319379 wrote:

I insist that the dual in dual redundant is redundant. When you remove the redundant dual from dual redundant you still have redundant.

That is, of course, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

And if Sally sells sea shells by the seashore.