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| - Bird Group announced the launch of “Segway PT” in India, through a nation-wide distribution “partnership” with Segway. Bird Retail is the sole distributor of Segway in“India”.A new segment in the “automobile” market in India, the “Segway PT” is known for its advanced “technology” and design, as well as its “environmentally friendly”, “zero emission” and energy-efficient qualities. A “Segway PT” is kept upright by computers and motors and the shifting weight of our feet and body controls its function. It runs on batteries, has an “electric motor” and can go up to 20 “kilometres per hour”. In short, if you are a “gadget” freak, it’s a super-cool eco-friendly “vehicle” to glide around in. Unlike a bicycle or scooter where you twist the “handlebar” to turn left or right, on a Segway, you tilt the entire stem. The “wheel” of a Segway are not connected, so you can make full 360° turns. The Group is targeting to sell around 600 Segways in India during the current calendar year and has sold close to 75 units in India over the last two years. “Segway PT” was invented by US-based scientist “Dean Kamen” and now is being produced by Segway Inc of New Hampshire. The Segway is an individual two- wheeled “electric vehicle”, somewhat akin to an upright scooter. Segway PT (personal transporter) i2 is the self-balancing, battery-operated mini-push scooter—that you don’t push—commonly seen at “airport”, “golf course” and “hotel”. Tourists who feel like “ambling” along without being rushed through their favourite spots in a car or bus or even explore areas where vehicles can’t enter, can now do so on a Segway, a mode of transportation popular in many countries. It's a simple enough “machine” with two self-balancing wheels, a raised platform to stand on, a “steering” frame, and handlebars - albeit one that costs about “Indian Rupee” 5 lakh. Bird Retail, the company that's brought Segway tours to “India”, currently offers a 45-minute tour that takes people from South Block to “India Gate”, stopping at the major attractions in between, and back, with plans to expand it to other parts of "Delhi" soon. The tour is available in group bookings of six passengers at a time - to maintain safety and convenience on the “vehicle”. Tourists can choose from three timings in the mornings on “weekday” at "Indian Rupee" 1350 per passenger, as well as evening hours on weekends for "Indian Rupee" 1650 per passenger. The tour begins from the South Block parking lot, where tourists are given a five-minute introduction to the vehicles. Essentially categorised as an equivalent to a 'high-end' “bicycle”, practically anyone over 12 can use a Segway - only those aged 12 and above are allowed on the tour, in fact - although, there is a 100 kg weight limit. The company mandates the use of helmets, which is provided to tourists.Once familiar with the “machine”, marshals guide the group past the “Secretariat Building, New Delhi” where tourists can get their photographs clicked with the majestic “Rashtrapati Bhavan” in the backdrop. The tour offers visitors a way of exploring the city that's more convenient and comfortable than walking, without the traffic-related problems of bigger vehicles. All the while, a tour “supervisor” provides information about the “monument” and the history of the city. The 45-minute program offers a view of the “Parliament of India”, “India Gate” and Amar Jawan Jyoti before the entire group retraces their path to South Block.
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