A year later he formed Ask Advatar and, with the assistance of his 35-year-old son-in-law Sequoia Hall, unveiled the first test version at the Los Gatos Farmers Market in 2004.

Although the test went well, Pelz, who lives in Willow Glen, was not satisfied with the initial design. It consisted of a sign secured to poles and mounted above the Segway. This early model didn't utilize the unit's available advertising space. Pelz consulted with Hall, a Rose Garden resident who wears many hats. He handles the company's product development and is co-founder of Stroth-Hall Winery. Hall also serves on the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority board and the Santa Clara County Planning Commission.

"We redesigned the unit to capitalize on the Segway's design," Hall says.

The end result is an enclosed 9-foot mobile information kiosk and advertising billboard with plenty of space for advertising messages plus sponsor and strategic partner logos. In addition, the unit has pocket space built on the inside so it can carry brochures, coupons and fliers for distribution.

Ask Advatar purchases the units from Segway and then resells them. The purchase price includes the base chassis as well as factory-installed graphics.

"The great advantage of the unit it is can be customized for the client," Pelz says. "And because they can sell ad space, it can really becomes a profit center for who ever buys it."

Ask Advatar offers guidelines on safely operating the vehicle and hiring and training drivers.

"It's important that the drivers are friendly, outgoing and know the venue, because they need to be able to engage and talk to people," Pelz says. "They represent the advertisers and sponsors as well as the event itself."

Pelz points out that the gyroscopically balanced two-wheeled units are easy to maneuver, battery-powered and more than just moveable billboards.

"They are a very interactive vehicle that lets you take an information kiosk and move it around," he says. "It follows the crowd and is much more likely to attract people to it. Sponsors and advertisers see it as an exciting way to activate their brand rather than using passive banners."

Pelz and Hall feel the units are ideal for sporting and entertainment events, fairs and festivals, amusement and theme parks, zoos, shopping malls, boardwalks, beaches, convention centers and airports.

To gauge the effectiveness of the redesigned unit, Ask Advatar launched a 13-week test beginning in mid-July in downtown San Jose. Partnering with the Children's Discovery Museum and the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, the firm had the unit make appearances at high-profile events such as the San Jose Grand Prix.

"We passed out ear plugs for kids that were provided by the Children's Discovery Museum," Hall says. "It was a phenomenal way to engage kids and tell their parents about the museum."

The Segway also contains information about downtown San Jose including official visitor's guides, maps, restaurants and hotels.

"It's like a mobile concierge," Pelz says. "It's a great way to educate people about a venue or, in the case of a downtown area, point people in the direction of the closest Chinese restaurant."

Pelz says interest in the units is high. The company is in talks with convention and visitors bureaus on both coasts to use the vehicle as an advertising tool.

"Plans for next generations include incorporating wireless technology so information can be sent electronically and there is no paper waste," Hall says. "We are also looking into adding video monitors, sound systems and lights."

Information about Ask Advatar can be found on its website at www.askadvatar. com or by calling 408.866.5166.