By Will Sturgeon, 15 May 2003 15:53
NEWS UK police officers have been trialling the Segway Human Transporter this week as they look at the possibility of using the space-aged scooters to patrol the streets of Britain. Policemen riding the SHT were on display on the streets of Blackpool this week - much to the delight of passers by - where the Police Federation was hosting its annual conference. PC Neil Parsons one of the officers trialling the scooters, told Ananova: "I expect people would probably take the Mickey out of us to start with but I'm sure as they got used to it they would see it as an everyday thing." On a practical note the SHT has a top speed of 12.5mph, which would enable officers to get around far more quickly than they would on foot. It is also claimed that the extra loft afforded by standing on the eight inch high foot plate would enable officers to effectively survey crowds, while also making them more visible to people in distress or in need of help. One stumbling block to a widespread roll out may be cost. The SHT costs almost £6,000 - considerably more than a bicycle or a pair of sturdy shoes. The SHT has already been adopted by a number of organisations. Amazon staff use the scooter to travel around the company's vast warehouses, while US postmen in Tampa, Florida and Concorde, New Hampshire are using it to do their rounds. Click here for a picture of a man riding the Segway Human Transporter.
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