The Segway HT (human transporter) is a self-balancing scooter invented by engineer Dean Kamen that was introduced amid considerable fanfare late in 2001. At $5,000, the electric machine is rather expensive for personal use, but it may be the perfect tool for moving workers around large warehouses. With "saddle bags" that can carry up to 75 pounds of cargo, it can whiz along at 12 mph with a range of around 15 miles.

"We can justify using the Segway HT in our business. I can see how in a large warehouse operation, it could be invaluable as a tool to move merchandise and people around effortlessly," says Phil Webb, owner of Best Pawn, a pawn shop in Mississippi that must store in its warehouse everything from guitars and rifles to rings and bicycles. Webb uses the machine to pick and place his customers' pawned items. In his 7,500 square foot warehouse, it takes time to tag and bin each new piece of merchandise. The Segway helps him get the job done quicker.