# News on that "ginger" invention? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 10, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518 "2001-10-10T04:55:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/1 "2001-10-10T04:55:01Z")
Is there anything new about that “revolutionary” Ginger invention? Does anyone know when it is going to be revealed yet? Last I heard it was rumoured to be some kinda newfangled wheelchair or damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![atypicalcarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@atypicalcarl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atypicalcarl)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/2 "2001-10-10T05:14:36Z")
I don’t know if it’s new to you or not, but MSNBC did a story on it last June. you can watch it online [here.](http://msnbc.com/news/285231.asp) It’s an astonishing wheelchair. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/3 "2001-10-10T10:07:50Z")
I just watched the video… **God** that is amazing!! When I first heard that it was “just” a high-tech wheelchair, I was kind of disapointed… but WOW! That is an invention that is WAY cool!! Good on you, Mr. Kamen! Way to go!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Damhna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@Damhna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damhna)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/4 "2001-10-10T10:35:36Z")
Nope that aint IT. The iBot is not the revolutionary life changing device that Kamen spoke of. Remember Steve Jobs saying it would change how cities were built etc. etc. That wheelchair whilst fantastic is not going to do that. IT is apparently based on some of the iBot technology which has prompted suggestions that he may have refined the gyroscopes and created a far far greater feul efficency to develop what one WAG would have us believe is a wearable car. > [@](#): > > The [Inside.com](http://Inside.com) story said the invention takes just 10 minutes to assemble using simple tools like a screw drivers and hex wrenches. The contraption may cost less than $2,000 a piece when it debuts in 2002. The collapsible invention can be fitted into a couple of large duffel bags and cardboard boxes, it was reported. Not bad for a guy (Kamen) who holds a Guinness record for the longest uninterrupted span of time spent dressed in denim. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/5 "2001-10-10T14:46:01Z")
What did I do now? ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/6 "2001-10-10T14:52:58Z")
I think that wheelchair is wonderful, but I’ll be interested to see how many people can afford one. Not many, I would guess. People have enough trouble affording decent wheelchairs now, as Medicare/Medicaid gives the runaround so bad. (If the person is on SSDI) Zette ---
**Author:** ![CheapBastid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/7 "2001-10-10T16:25:07Z")
As I recall the test model of the iBot was called ‘Fred’ and IT is codename ‘Ginger’. I also recall that there was a picture of it and it was a scooter type thing, not wearable. ---
**Author:** ![CheapBastid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2001, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-on-that-ginger-invention/86518/8 "2001-10-10T16:28:15Z")
It is indeed a [Scooter](http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,41197,00.html).