Segway recalls all scooters due to software glitch

Segway Inc. is recalling all 23,500 of the self-balancing scooters it has shipped to date because of a software bug that causes its wheels to suddenly change directions, causing riders to fall.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is partnering with Segway on the recall, advised consumers to stop using the high-tech scooters immediately.

The CPSC also advised users to contact the company to arrange for a free software upgrade to repair the transporters' computer systems. The company's 100 dealerships and service centres around the world will perform the repairs.

Segway has received six reports of malfunctions with the vehicle, previously known as the Human Transporter. Riders reported injuries to their heads and wrists.

The recall was prompted when technicians were testing the company's newest model, said Doug Field, the chief technology officer for Segway.

Trial tests revealed that the vehicles would unexpectedly reverse when users pushed the vehicle to its maximum speed of 19 kilometres per hour, tilted back to slow down and then tried to regain top speed immediately.

Field told the Associated Press that the likelihood of this course of action are of "very low probability, but possible, which then made us go pull every reported accident in the company's history." After studying the six injury reports believed to be related to the problem, the company notified the CPSC to issue a recall.

Jim Norrod, Segway's chief executive, would not comment on whether the problem had prompted any lawsuits.

This is the second recall that has been issued for the scooters, which sell for between $4,000 and $5,500 US.

In 2003, the first 6,000 devices were recalled when consumers found that the scooters became unstable when the battery power ran low.