Check out one of the South Pasadena Police Department’s T3 Personal Mobility Vehicles. When I first saw one, I thought it was a souped up Segway – but the third wheel up front indicated something else. A little sleuthing uncovered that these babies are some of the cleanest vehicles around: all electric, costing a mere 10 cents a day, with a 4 hour battery life, a zero degree turning radius and a high platform that provides visibility in a crowd. All that, plus they’re so cool they look like something out of The Jetsons. Unfortunately, high speed chases are off-limits. Even with special order models, the top speed is 25 mph. (Here's an obvious place to make the joke: "Stop! Or I'll scoot!")Kudos to our police department for being so cutting edge. Patrolling with these has low impact on the environment and high maneuverability within the community. I think they're great. (Although it doesn't look like this officer thought I was great for snapping a picture…)
30 comments:
Mmm ... I suspect this is more of a toy. Biclycles are clean. Walking is green. Horses are manoeuverable (?sp).
I live just a few blocks from the NSW Mounted Police Barracks. I must do a post ...
Yeah but this picture makes me think that the police are running around on mobility scooters designed for the elderly - i.e. hilarious! I don't think I'd be able to take them seriously if they turned up like this (although they never show up, it's rare if you see a policeman patrolling the streets here!)
Ciao
http://scarletsculturegarden.blogspot.com
http://jamjarsuperstar.blogspot.com
Cool!!! I'd love to have one for my daily trips to and from work!
Wouldn't it be fun to have one of those.
This is a great idea for neighborhood patrols. We have bike police downtown, which is eco-friendly - and fast!
And his job is to look fierce, so no worries there.
I saw one of these at one of the Smithsonian museums and had no idea what it was. Thanks for the info.
So thats where all the Homeland Security™ money is going. I have a feeling its not going to help in the fight against the pseudo Terrorists©.
Can I buy one on amazon?
With only a four hour battery life does that mean the police work 1/2 days! They do look cool.
What a great toy! I guess the police would cringe if they heard me call it a toy. I haven't seen anything like that in Phoenix. I have seen a couple of segways, but nothing as cool as this.
It is a toy. A big, expensive, stupid toy. Sorry, I just don't have a sense of humor about this.
Oh Lic, this is nothing. For big and stupid toy, I vote for the toaster-egg-cooker.
Okay, maybe it is a little funny.
altadenahiker, where can I get one of those fabulous toaster-egg cookers?
"My house," she said, ducking her head in shame.
Standing and exposed, I don't think I'd want to go as fast as 25 mph! 5 would be fine, thanks.
in NorCal, several of the malls have these for their insecurity patrol. They are *useless* for going through crowds, as you would just mow people down or have to go around.
They ARE good for getting to a scene quickly if not much is in your way. Most of the mallcops use them to get near the scene, then park it an walk to the actual place of the problem.
I have to agree---cute toys, but would rather see them on bikes or walking.
Wow. This is really something, Laurie. I've never seen it before. Segway yes, but not this vehicle.
The angle created by the object and the shadow makes a wonderful composition too.
holy fun...never though that the Police will be using those....nice one!
I'm sorry but I can't get past the "stop or I'll scoot" line. One has had a drinkies. Again I think this is a cultural thing. I'm with Scarlet. They wouldn't last 5 mins in the uk, which is a shame I like the the ethos behind them. Could you be charged for drunk driving one of these I wonder?
Dang, I want one of these!
I remember when Long Beach police 1st started using the Seqway & I also thought this a new version...very interesting.
But what caught my eye is the Mod Squad - the absolutely favorite show of my 13-year-old self (Julie - Peggy Lipton, Link Hayes & ?) were the coolest, hippest people ever. & their car - Dodge Challenger was the coolest...
I saw one of those in Montreal once...but I didn't have my camera at the time. I think it's interesting, but it's certainly not used to chase criminals on the highway:p
The police machine it's beautiful and modern.
Hi folks,
Welcome to my blog John, Barbara Rahal and My Life in Montreal!
I see that a few of you don't share my enthusiasm for this nifty, whiz-bang little human transporter. As an admitted gadget-addict, I'll tell you why I support these kinds of inventions. Yeah, they cost money (initially) and some of them probably won't live up to the hype (the Segway did NOT, despite the advanced press, become everyone's mode of personal transportation) but they are, in my opinion anyway, a great first step in pushing human beings toward transportation options other than gas-powered cars.
I've seen the South Pas police out on these things during a lot of special town events where, in the past, they might have just watched from a squad car. I like the fact that this kind of vehicle is big enough to be noticed -- hey, there's a police officer! -- but not so big as to take up the entire road. I also like the idea of modes of transportation that are disability-friendly. This type of vehicle has potential for all kinds of patrol and security duties. Sure, bikes are also green and leave a small footprint. But some people (asthma/allergy sufferers, those with cardiovascular issues or physical handicaps, or, heck, most people over 40!) aren't triathalon-ready, and I don't think that should stop them from doing a job. I think these personal mobility machines have great potential for handicapped people who don't necessarily need wheelchairs but might want a little extra help getting around on the job.
Maybe I read too many futurists when I was growing up but this kind of thing just makes me excited about technology. (I liked reading Popular Science when I was a kid, too...)
Thanks, as always, for wonderful commentary and conversation. Until next time...
Hi danial!
I was just looking through recent posts on your blog. Beautiful stuff.
Wow Laurie, 24 comments. You've really hit a chord didn't you.
Last November I attended the EV trade show in Anaheim. The T3 was there along with everything else that is new in electric vehicles. I put a few pics in an album but I don't think I can link it here. The address is at the bottom for anyone interested.
Here are my thoughts on the shot and the T3.
a) This baby-faced cop would benefit from less riding and more walking.
b) The T3 is a great space saver. Did you know that 12 T3s will fit in the same space taken up by one car at Dunkin' Donuts?
c) The T3 gets the cops out of their cars and in amongst us rabble where it is much easier to go up and give them a hug. Have you hugged a cop today?
Any vehicle that replaces a gas guzzler is ok by me.
http://picasaweb.google.com/vanphotoman/EVShow2007?pli=1#
Tash: Clarence Williams, he of the massive hair.
Cop on a Segway. HAHA Sorry, that just makes me laugh. I do applaud them for the environmental responsible vehicle though. Still I'm chuckling. His expression kind of says it all. Don't you think he'd rather be in a car like Starsky and Hutch?
Clarence Williams III. I love afros.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mod_Squad
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