First-Ever Consumer Models of the Segway Human Transporter To Be Auctioned Online Beginning Today

MANCHESTER, N.H. and SEATTLE, Feb. 19 Segway LLC and Amazon.com today announced that three limited-edition Segway(TM) Human Transporters (HT), the first self-balancing, electric-powered personal transportation machines, will be available for auction beginning today exclusively at Amazon.com (go to www.amazon.com and search for Segway).

Segway (http://www.segway.com) will donate all auction proceeds to FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization founded by Dean Kamen, Segway's chairman and CEO. FIRST's mission is to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and communities.

In support of this exclusive auction event, Segway will create three custom ``FIRST Edition'' Segway HTs, all with one-of-a-kind features. These limited-edition Segway HT models are the first ever made available to consumers and can be found only at Amazon.com. Winners of the auction will have the opportunity to be presented their custom ``FIRST Edition'' Segway HTs by the inventor, Dean Kamen.

Unique Features Available on the Segway ``FIRST Edition'' HTs:

The three Segway HTs available exclusively for auction at Amazon.com are limited edition and numbered, and will be custom-made with the following unique features:

-- A hand-stitched, leather-wrapped user interface. -- Leather-wrapped-titanium grips -- Inventor Dean Kamen's signature on each machine. -- Machined titanium bezel with commemorative "FIRST Edition" emblem -- Rider-activated, electro-luminescent disc with Segway logo on platform -- Custom finished wheel surface

``FIRST is about making science and technology fun for kids and the Segway HT is a perfect example of how technology can be exciting,'' said Dean Kamen, Segway's chairman & CEO. ``Amazon.com provides a great forum for consumers interested in our Segway HTs and the opportunity to help FIRST, an organization that offers a foundation for students to develop maturity, professionalism, teamwork and mentoring skills that enrich their lives.''

``Our mission at Amazon.com is to be the place where people can find and discover anything they want to buy online,'' said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO. ``As such, we're extremely excited to offer the very first Segway HTs for purchase by our customers -- and in the process, to help Segway raise funds for FIRST.''

For more information about this exclusive auction event or to bid on one of the three ``FIRST Edition'' Segway HTs visit http://www.amazon.com and search for ``Segway.'' To learn more about the Segway HT or FIRST, visit http://www.segway.com or http://www.usfirst.org. Bidding in the auctions begins today and will conclude on March 28, 2002. Winners will be given the opportunity to meet Dean Kamen and be presented with their Segway HTs at the FIRST Championship event, which takes place April 25-27 at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida.

About the Segway ``FIRST Edition'' HT

This is an exclusive opportunity to be the first consumer to own a Segway HT, which allows people to go farther, move more quickly, and increase the amount they can carry anywhere they currently walk. With dimensions no larger than the average adult body and the ability to emulate human balance, the Segway HT uses the same space as a pedestrian. Segway HT consumer availability is not expected until later this year.

ABOUT FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the 2002 Robotics Competition go to http://www.usfirst.org.