Customizable Electric Longboard- Design Input

[Slithr Boards]

Hey Guys,
This is Carl and I'm working on a project called Slithr Boards. Where we are making customizable Electric longboard units.
Check the image attached of our current prototype.

I wanted to crowd-source some of the design of our product to really develop a product for Kickstarter!

Our unit comes with all the hardware and electronics included, so one would just attach it to the deck of their choice, throw on the wheels of their choice and they would have a customized electric longboard!
Features we are offering:
-Any longboard or skateboard deck, custom electronics, a hardware controller, a smartphone application to change settings, any longboard wheel bigger that 66 mm diameter
-Prototyping: Weight Sensing Detection, Downhill speed capping, Full battery regenerative braking

What we want to find out:
Motor Number: two motor vs one motor (Price and weight is a big factor in this consideration)
Battery Range: How many miles (Again, price and weight is a factor as well)
KV: Torque value?
Power: How many watts are ideal? (I was thinking around 2000 W, since that is the standard)
Additional Features: What additional features would you guys want in something like this?

We wanted our product to be available to as many people as possible, so we are trying to keep the cost down.

Suggestions? Positive comments? Ideas?

Thanks!
Carl

 

[Slithr Boards]

It is a rough prototype, but our next version pictures, I will upload soon!
It has a adaptable base unit that fits both type of screw mounts.
As well as a special cog design that can fit on any longboard wheel.

 

[onloop]

Very ambitious.... Good luck...

My advice is buy at least 15 sets of the most popular decks/trucks/wheels variations currently available on the market.

Then decide if you can actually make a single, universal design that will work on all the combinations.... I seriously doubt that it is possible....small changes in wheel diameter will likely be your biggest issue....

Once you have a design that works 100% with those 15 try it on every other board you can find to ensure your design is compatible.

Then do a solid business model.... If your design is truly everything you claim it will be your biggest challenge will be trying to make it affordable so as many people as possible can afford it....this is where most people trip up... Because unless this is a community based not for profit charity you need to ensure you make enough profit per unit to fund the back end of the business.... The boring administrative stuff. Warranty claims.... Return shipping.... Advertising... All that stuff.... Otherwise you will simply collapse and the dream will die.... And your customers will be passed off.... Oh and make sure you have lots of available human resources to answer the 1000's of enquiries...

Oh and if all goes really well.... Definitely be sure to leave some profits to cover the fees from the patent lawyers. Because if your design is as advertised you will have strong competition...

Good luck...

 

[torqueboards]

Nice Carl.. I see that one of your co-founders works at Gorilla Circuits. I've passed by that place a few times.

Depending on the person - single/dual motor are great. Hills dual is preferred IMO.

10+ mile range is sufficient. 6 mile range is a bit lean.

2000W at least.. 3000W would be better.

Custom handheld controllers sounds good. Seems like you'll be working on completely custom electronics which is nice.

Good luck!

 

[Slithr Boards]

Very ambitious.... Good luck...

My advice is buy at least 15 sets of the most popular decks/trucks/wheels variations currently available on the market.

Then decide if you can actually make a single, universal design that will work on all the combinations.... I seriously doubt that it is possible....small changes in wheel diameter will likely be your biggest issue....

Once you have a design that works 100% with those 15 try it on every other board you can find to ensure your design is compatible.

Then do a solid business model.... If your design is truly everything you claim it will be your biggest challenge will be trying to make it affordable so as many people as possible can afford it....this is where most people trip up... Because unless this is a community based not for profit charity you need to ensure you make enough profit per unit to fund the back end of the business.... The boring administrative stuff. Warranty claims.... Return shipping.... Advertising... All that stuff.... Otherwise you will simply collapse and the dream will die.... And your customers will be passed off.... Oh and make sure you have lots of available human resources to answer the 1000's of enquiries...

Oh and if all goes really well.... Definitely be sure to leave some profits to cover the fees from the patent lawyers. Because if your design is as advertised you will have strong competition...

Good luck...

@Enertion,
Yea the design is pretty solid, but our business plan needs some work.

Your right that cost is going to be a big issue in order to attract customers, but also stay afloat.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[brent]

Nice Carl.. I see that one of your co-founders works at Gorilla Circuits. I've passed by that place a few times.

Funny, so have I. Went to elementary school only a couple miles away.

If you're looking for versatility, one suggestion I'd have is to make your motor mount rotatable; it adds an immense amount of flexibility in terms of wheel size/deck clearance/RWD vs FWD/2WD vs 1WD/goofy vs regular/etc etc...
Photos of my current mount for reference:
http://imgur.com/sjkYgan
http://imgur.com/8AZQiVy
http://imgur.com/KAkyhFs
Your current design also seems optimized for a rear wheel drive; I've switched to front and have never looked back. So much more fun to carve on.

How would the wheel pulleys attach, if you're planning on making it universal? Also keep in mind that different wheels have different widths; some are centerset and others are sideset, etc.

p.s: I don't know anybody who's had a good experience with SquareSpace.

 

[onloop]

> how does your system attach (the box part) if the deck has a drop / micro drop? do you plan to have the components under the deck or sticking out the back?

I suppose you could just use truck risers, or offer a bracket that is curved for decks with a drop...

 

[Nobuo]

what are the battery box dimensions?