# Lightweight Personal E-Skates The Segway Drift W1 Introduces a New Kind of Personal Transportation By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-10-01 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e-skates References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90242145/segway-is-back-and-its-coming-for-your-last-shred-of-dignity) & [segway](http://www.segway.com/products/consumer-lifestyle/segway-drift-w1) [Segway's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-escooter) Drift W1 is being introduced to the world as a lightweight, portable set of [e-skates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-skateboard-design) that have the potential to help people get around in a new way. Each e-skate weighs in at just under eight pounds, which makes them ideal for using as an [alternative to a bike, a scooter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bee-electric-scooter) or another personal mode of transport that is potentially cumbersome and consumes a lot of space. The electrically powdered skates feature a platform for the foot and a rubber wheel underneath. As a whole, the system lets users balance and intuitively use their movements to go in the desired direction. Segway notes that the Drift W1 is capable of reaching a top speed of up to 7.5 miles per hour, which is faster than walking. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/transportation) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Lightweight Personal Transportation:** The Segway Drift W1 introduces a new kind of personal transportation that is lightweight and portable, offering a convenient alternative to traditional modes of transport. - **E-skates:** E-skates, like the Segway Drift W1, provide a novel way for people to get around, combining the convenience of electric power with the maneuverability of skates. - **Intuitive Movement:** The Drift W1's intuitive movement system allows users to balance and effortlessly control their direction, offering an innovative and user-friendly experience. ### Who This Affects Most - **Urban Mobility:** The lightweight and portable nature of e-skates like the Segway Drift W1 make them a promising solution for urban dwellers looking to navigate crowded cities more efficiently. - **Outdoor Recreation:** E-skates present a disruptive innovation opportunity for the outdoor recreation industry, offering a fun and exciting new way for people to explore and enjoy outdoor spaces. - **Personal Transportation:** The Segway Drift W1 showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in the personal transportation industry by providing a compact and versatile mode of transport that is suitable for various terrains. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Motorized Electric Roller Skates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rollwalk-electric-roller-skates.md) - [All Terrain Electric Skis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skwheel-one.md) - [App-Controlled Skates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/appcontrolled-skates.md) - [Electric Inline Skates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atmosgear.md) - [Speedily Sprinting Electric Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-escooter.md) - [Comfort-Focused Electric Commuter Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/segway-p-series-ekickscooters.md) - [All-Terrain Electric Skateboard Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twowheel-electric-board.md) - [Bluetooth-Operated Motorized Skateboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-electric-skateboard.md) - [Hyper-Speed Commuter Scooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/segway-kickscooters-gt-series.md)