Case Study: Segway achieves faster product development and meets tight microprocessor limits with MathWorks (MATLAB & Simulink)

Segway LLC Delivers Innovative Transporter

Segway LLC developed the first two-wheeled, dynamically stabilized electric Human Transporter and faced novel engineering challenges—verifying fault-detection and inertial balancing, studying drag torque, and implementing control on a 32K fixed-point microprocessor. To address these needs, Segway used MathWorks tools, notably MATLAB and Simulink along with Control System, Signal Processing, DSP System toolboxes and Simulink Fixed Point.

MathWorks provided a common modeling and simulation platform that let Segway teams design, simulate in floating and fixed point, test filters and motor drives, and validate algorithms against real system data. Using MathWorks tools, Segway accelerated development cycles, implemented tight control code that managed 12 motor switches and balance within the 32K processor limit, and confirmed component lifetimes met the five-year requirement.

Segway

John Morrell

Dynamics and Software Manager