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Monday, July 07, 2008, 09:00 am
Segway CTO departs for leadership role on Apple's design team
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VP of product design? One word. Scary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider 
Doug Field, the chief technology officer who's led Segway's engineering team since day one, is leaving his post at the electric vehicle maker to become a vice president of product design at Apple.
...
The motives behind Apple's move to acquire Field are unclear and somewhat interesting given the reaction by chief executive Steve Jobs to the industrial design of the original Segway in 2003.
"I think it sucks," he said. "Its shape is not innovative, it's not elegant and it doesn't feel anthropomorphic."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Doug Field, the chief technology officer who's led Segway's engineering team since day one, is leaving his post at the electric vehicle maker to become a vice president of product design at Apple.
...
The motives behind Apple's move to acquire Field are unclear and somewhat interesting given the reaction by chief executive Steve Jobs to the industrial design of the original Segway in 2003.
"I think it sucks," he said. "Its shape is not innovative, it's not elegant and it doesn't feel anthropomorphic."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
How is it "interesting"? Your own article says the guy ran the engineering team, not the design team. There is design in engineering, but it means something different. They are different disciplines. Don't insinuate blame on him for something that probably wasn't his responsibility.
I have to say, the newer Segways are a lot of fun. The originals would use leaning for forward/back, and a handlebar knob for steering. Now it's ALL leaning--you lean left and right to steer (the whole handlebar column tilts sideways from the bottom). I don't need one, but it was fun to try!
What's the difference between Product Design and Industrial Design?? I assume Field will be reporting to Mr. Ive!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gilles_deleuze
VP of product design? One word. Scary.
VP of product design? One word. Scary.
It doesn't seem the Segway was as life altering as its inventor had hoped, so it had to be sold to somebody...
Although that does look like a scene right out of a Hollywood movie... you know the ones that have mass murders, glorified explosions and destruction to beat the band, car chases and wrecks, etc. and then some of the people who star in them have the nerve to promulgate 'peace', 'no hate', 'no violence' and 'no war'!
Case in point, Angelina Jolie in "Wanted"! That's the UN Embassador of Goodwill I want!
i think this is the beginning of iCar...
Perhaps he will help Apple rethink personal transportation, and come up with something compelling: a clean, green, anti-addiction machine.
A Segway uses some of the most advanced gyroscope technology. The iPhone teem probably would appreciate the experience in the field that he will bring.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM
How is it "interesting"? Your own article says the guy ran the engineering team, not the design team. There is design in engineering, but it means something different. They are different disciplines. Don't insinuate blame on him for something that probably wasn't his responsibility.
How is it "interesting"? Your own article says the guy ran the engineering team, not the design team. There is design in engineering, but it means something different. They are different disciplines. Don't insinuate blame on him for something that probably wasn't his responsibility.
Cool it Jeff - it's too early in the morning for grumpiness..
The article is both interesting and wholly justified. It's clearly stated that 'the guy' ran the engineering team, but is being hired as the VP of design... To me this is big news, it's not every day that Apple hires a new designer at this level, now Jonathan Ive has someone to play with...Plus it's an article that isn't about the iPhone, which on its own would is enough to pique my interest. Few and far between these days...
Jimzip
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I've seen a (I think) older model Segway and if I remember correctly, it had an interesting ignition/control/lock module piece that fit into the center console between the handle bars. It was about the size of an old tamagotchi unit and I think it held the ignition switch and the idea was that you could disengage it and take it with you when you parked the Segway.
As a modular, mechanic to electronic bridge, it could be that this guy is working on some of those Apple patents AI showed us about a removable and multi-purpose multi-touch/LCD unit that swaps between devices... just a thought.