Dead on Arrival: 12 Hyped Tech Devices That Flopped Hard (and Why)

4. Segway: The Future That Couldn't Roll Forward

Touted as the future of personal transportation, the Segway was expected to revolutionize urban mobility. However, it never became the ubiquitous mode of transport its creators envisioned. High costs, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of practicality for everyday use limited its adoption. The Segway's bulky design and the public's reluctance to embrace it as a mainstream commuting option further contributed to its downfall. This example illustrates the importance of aligning product design with real-world applications and consumer lifestyles, as even the most innovative products can fail if they don't fit into existing societal frameworks.