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It was billed as a device that would change the world, with the cities of the future designed around its revolutionary capabilities.
But the Segway electric scooter now seems to be heading the way of the Sinclair C5, after its manufacturers announced that all 23,500 models would be recalled because of a software problem that causes it to throw off its riders.
Segway said that a problem with the self-balancing scooter’s internal programmes could cause its wheels to unexpectedly switch into reverse.
The company had received six reports of Segways failing to operate, causing injuries to the heads and wrists of several riders.
The incidents seemed particularly likely to occur when riders tried to slow down one of the scooters by pulling back on its upright handlebars.
The US consumer product safety commission said that the recall affected all scooters sold from March 2002 to September 2006, although new x2 models that are preparing to be shipped to retailers have had their software upgraded and would not suffer from the problem.
Segway said that all owners could register for a free software upgrade through the company’s website.
