Fun fact: The core of AutoSyringe and his dialysis pumps was delivering super precise dosages of medication. DEKA applied that same technology to the new Freestyle Coke machine (delivering super precise amounts of soda concentrate), in return for Coca Cola helping them distribute the Slingshot.

That fact is not just fun but incredibly helpful to understand what's going on with this story.

The Cola company is apparently not that altruistic after all - world view saved.

And hopefully the creator of the FIRST Robotics competition for HS students.

http://www.usfirst.org

I've met dozens of students at MIT who say the experience with FIRST was the main reason they decided to study science and engineering. (And I've heard similar stories from folks at Stanford, CMU, etc.)

Dean's a genius with an amazing team, but that impact can only go so far. Inspiring thousands of new students in STEM careers is solving the world's problems at a meta level.

Especially since the Segway was just a spinoff of technology developed for the awesome iBot wheelchair that can balance the user at normal eye-level, negotiate curbs, and even climb stairs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibot

The Segway was actually pretty complex -- definitely not just a spin-off. (Though I agree the iBot is awesome.)

If you want to learn the full story, I recommend the book Code Name Ginger. http://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Ginger-Behind-Segway/dp/1578...