BusinessWire
October 07, 2005 05:01 AM US Pacific Timezone

Segway Inc. Expands Worldwide Market With New Technology Licensing Program; WowWee Ltd. Will Be First to Integrate Segway(R) Smart Motion Technology Into 2006 Products

BEDFORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2005--Building on the success of its technologically innovative Segway(R) products, Segway Inc. today announced plans to license its Segway Smart Motion technology to third-party companies and in some cases co-develop products with other manufacturers using the technology. The company also announced today that WowWee Ltd., parent company of WowWee Robotics, will be the first third-party company to employ Segway Smart Motion in products that will publicly debut in 2006.

"Our investment in research and development has resulted in a robust technology portfolio that is applicable to several other product categories besides our own. As we continue to use Segway Smart Motion to expand our product offering, we will work with companies like WowWee to maximize the impact of the technology in the marketplace," said Jim Norrod, chief executive officer. "This licensing program will expand the global market for Segway Smart Motion and soon we'll be seeing Segway's core technology embedded in a variety of products."

Segway Smart Motion technology provides intelligent control and motion to a variety of devices and is at the heart of all the products Segway develops, including the Segway Human Transporter (HT), the Segway Robotic Mobility Platform (RMP) and "Concept Centaur", a four-wheeled light electric concept vehicle. The technology works by integrating the latest sensor technologies, electric propulsion systems, and sophisticated controls software into an intelligent solution that creates entirely new forms of motion. Once enhanced with Segway Smart Motion a product can monitor its environment, precisely control its motion and make the right decisions about how it should move.

"The success of the Segway HT has demonstrated that Segway Smart Motion technology not only provides unparalleled maneuverability and freedom of movement, but is also reliable, safe, and practical," said Doug Field, vice president of product development. "Our technical team has developed a unique knowledge base that integrates controls engineering, embedded systems, advanced energy systems and sensor technologies. This knowledge can now be quickly applied to entirely new applications and product categories by leveraging Segway Smart Motion technology."

About Segway

Segway Inc. develops intelligent motion control technology known as Segway(R) Smart Motion that is embedded in the light electric transportation devices it manufactures, such as the well-known Segway(R) Human Transporter (HT). This technology is also licensed for use in other innovative products made by third-party companies. Segway Smart Motion provides intelligent motion control that enables a device to monitor its environment, precisely control its motion and make the right decisions about how it should move.

Segway markets a full line of zero-emissions Segway HTs that deliver impressive energy efficiency--equivalent to 450 miles per gallon. Commercial and institutional customers are using the Segway HT to make their operations more efficient and consumers are using it for short-distance trips. The company's line of Segway Robotic Mobility Platforms (RMPs) offers researchers, government and military organizations intelligent, reliable, durable mobility solutions for robotic applications.

Segway Inc. has a distribution network of 100 Segway Authorized Dealers in the U.S. and 35 Segway Authorized Distributors with dealers on all continents. Segway HTs can be purchased at Segway Authorized Dealers and Distributors or by calling 1-866-4SEGWAY. For additional information about Segway and to find dealer locations, please visit www.segway.com. Press materials and digital images are available through the Segway Press Center at www.segway.com/news.

About WowWee

WowWee Ltd. is a privately-owned, Hong Kong based company, with offices in North America and a worldwide sales and distribution network. The Company is a recognized leader in the manufacturing of innovative hi-tech consumer robotic electronic and leisure products. Company divisions include WowWee Robotics, WowWee Tech, WowWee RC and WowWee Alive. For more information and to see the latest WowWee products including Roboraptor, RobosapienV2, and Robopet please go to www.wowwee.com.