Yesterday, one of our brand new Segway miniPLUS escaped our clutches and went roaming around Auckland. We finally caught up with it again outside the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and snapped this photo before sneaking up from behind and recapturing it.

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The new Segway miniPLUS is packed with features - check out these specs:

Add the optional 3-axis 1080p transmitting camera and you've created your own personal video drone. Using the hand-held remote control you can drive the Segway miniPLUS wherever you like. Or engage 'follow me' mode and it will automatically follow you - either in front or behind - at a distance you can set. Or use the App to trace out a path on the screen of your phone - the miniPRO will become your automated camera dolly. Hollywood - here you come!

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We wanted to find out how capable the new Segway miniPLUS is. With wider and larger diameter wheels, and more powerful motors, we were keen to take it out and about around the sights of Auckland. From our expeditions last year, we already knew the original Segway miniPRO could climb every mountain.* In fact, on the miniPRO we'd already conquered Mount Eden, Mount Victoria, Mount Albert, One Tree Hill..... We'd even ascended the lower reaches of the world's steepest street in Dunedin. Not even mighty Mount Maunganui could keep the miniPRO from reaching its sunny summit. * some exceptions apply The wider, rounder tyres of the Segway miniPLUS sport and identical, very special tread pattern as the full-sized Segway i2 SE. Self-balancing machines benefit from a special bi-directional tread pattern, so they have equal traction whether rotating forwards or backwards. When travelling across longer grass or when the ground is wet and soft underneath the miniPLUS has noticeably improved comfort, the enhanced level of traction is apparent. The Segway miniPLUS has more ground clearance as well because the battery pack is located in the central tower, rather than attached underneath as with all other Segway self-balancing products. So........we decided to take the Segway miniPLUS to Liverpool Street - officially Auckland's steepest. We had tested the Segway miniPRO on this same street 18 months earlier and we were keen to tackle it with the new miniPLUS. What we found was the more powerful miniPLUS had no problem at all carrying an 80kg rider up the street at faster-than-walking pace - even up the steepest 13 degree section that stalled the miniPRO with the same rider last year. So, for owners looking for a small personal transporter with a bit more oomph and many more features the new Segway miniPLUS is the machine for you. We can't wait to try the miniPLUS on Baldwin Street when we visit Dunedin in March 2018. We know from previous excursions that the Segway i2 SE can climb to the top of Baldwin Street and safely descend again, while the miniPRO made it about one-third of the way up (where the grade begins to incline more steeply). We're taking bets now on how far up the miniPLUS will climb.....