Segway-Ninebot will be rolling into skates territory

Ever wonder what it would be like to put on a pair of e-skates? Segway Europe posted a video late last month on a Coming Soon mission to tell the world of Segway Drift W1 e-Skates, from Segway-Ninebot.

The company's contribution to the skates category, Segway Drift W1, can be checked out further next month at IFA 2018 in Berlin, Germany. Reports said an announcement is planned at a press conference during the show.

Lori Grunin, CNET, referred to the coming product as "personal rolling transport products." Another site referred to the product as in a "fun mobility" niche. Rich Haridy, New Atlas, said they were "Essentially two small self-balancing hoverboards."

For those worried about dislocating your face, as one skeptical viewer on a comments section put it, the company said the skates were made with self-balancing technology. The pads give the skates slip resistance. Rob Thubron in TechSpot referred to the "gyroscopic balancing technology" allowing each skate to feature just one wheel rather than the set of four found on traditional roller skates.

Another safety note is that the Segway Drift W1 obtained international certifications, such as UL and CE, said the company. They are lightweight enough to carry in a bag or in the hands.

All the same, Segway's electric skates to Engadget did not seem like idea of the year. "Segway's new e-skates are probably a terrible idea" were a heading in Engadget.

Jacob Kastrenakes, Circuit Breaker editor, The Verge, wrote how "managing two independent self-balancing objects seems like it could be a bit harder to get the hang of than just jumping on a big wide board." Kastranakes looked at how they work. "It appears that you just step on top of the Drift W1 with each foot, balance on them without being strapped on in any way, and then lean to start moving."

Haridy in New Atlas said pricing for these e-skates was yet to be revealed.

The company underscored its "proven, stable" self-balancing technology, built on over 800 patents. They said further product specs were "expected to be announced soon."

While other reports voiced gloomy doubts about making your feet into little motors and coming home in one piece, Wired delivered an upbeat reaction to the skates-to-come.

Richard Priday pushed back on all the say-whats about safety. "For those worried about how dangerous having motorised feet without anything to hold onto might be, you can take some solace from the fact that the Drift W1 has been given the American UL and European CE certifications for product safety." Using them on nice, smooth terrain? Got a good sense of balance? You'll be set, he added.

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