Ginger! `It' adds spice to tech

Ginger! `It' adds spice to tech
Chidanand Rajghatta

WASHINGTON, JAN 15: ``It's a perpetual motion machine? Is it cold fusion? Or just a monumental hoax? What is ``It's and why is it called ``Ginger?''

The tech world is being rocked by the reported fabrication of a contraption whose arrival is invoking comparisons with seminal changes wrought by inventions like the light bulb, telephony, and the locomotive. Not since the hilarious days of idols drinking milk has such a rumour mania swept the world. Except, the rumour is being endorsed by some of the most respected names in the world of technology.

It is all began when Inside.com, an online media gossip publication, reported on Tuesday that Harvard Business School Press had paid $250,000 for a book proposal by scientist and inventor Dean Kamn, to be co-written with the magazine journalist Steve Kemper, about his newest invention.

The invention is called ``It'' and has a code-name - ``Ginger.''

The story would have been dismissed as a cranky hoax but for Kamen's background. He is known to be a socially-motivated inventor who holds more than 100 patents, many of them for life-saving devices. such as portable dialysis machine.

His latest invention is the iBot, a motorized wheelchair that can navigate over difficult terrain like stairs, rocks, and sand which he has recently demonstrated in the Senate and to the geeky Vice-President Al Gore. Kemper is a respected freelance writer for publications such as Smithsonian, which profiled Kamen in 1994. Profiles of the 49-year old Kamen describe him as eccentric, cantankerous and opinionated.

But according to the rash of media reports that have since followed up the Inside story, Kamen has wowed equally cantankerous and opinionated Silicon Valley gurus with his latest inyention.

Apple Computers' founder Steve Jobs says ``It's might change urban life and could be as significant as the development of the personal computer. Amazon's Jeff Bezos calls the product ``revolutionary.'' Silicon Valley's top Venture Capitalist John Doerr is said to be enthralled by it.

Investment bank Credit Suisse Frist Boston expects that ``It's can generate more revenue and profit in its first year than any start-up ever, which would make Kamen richer than Bill Gates within five years.

But no one is saying what exactly ``It'' is. Following a rash of reports in the mainline media on since the Inside story, Kamen issued a statement saying, ``While our projects are in the development phase and have client confidentiality requirements it is impossible for us to comment further.''

That only set off a speculative frenzy and there was nothing gingerly about it.

The most popular theory centered around Ginger being a small transportation vehicle that is incredibly compact and efficient - a sort of ``wearable'' car that is stable, collapsible, and runs of small amounts of fuel.

The US Patent Office is said to carry patent registrations in Kamen's name for a dozen personal transportation devices.

The Inside.com story said the invention takes just 10 minutes to assemble using simple tools like 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.

Strengthening the theory that ``Ginger'' is a new-generation transporation vehicle were two comments. Apple' Steve Jobs suggested that whole cities will be builtaround it this invention. And Kamen himself said it will effect several old-line billion dollar companies (presumably automobile manufacturers).

``It will be an alternative to products that are dirty, expensive, sometimes dangerous and often frustrating, especially for people in the cities,'' Inside.com said, leading some to ask, ``So what's the alternative to sex?'' Alpha-geeks who are turned on by automibiles believe it may be the ultimate locomotive trip.

The 49-year old Kamen lives in a self-designed house on a hill outside of Manchester, New Hampshire. He heads a secretive 150-people strong company that specialises in innovative healthcare and technology products.