OneWheel: self-balancing e-skate

[cal3thousand]

OneWheel seems like a really cool idea. Anyone here seen it or heard of it?

Quick thoughts:

brushless DD motor
Lithium battery
gyroscopes for forward, brake and reverse.
weighs 215 lbs

Seems like it would be a really fun ride and could cover terrain that other e-skateboards cannot.



Here's a DIY version that I found on YouTube from 2009 (not sure if it is related;looks nearly identical)

[youtube]8RPFNUsuW78[/youtube]

 

[sk8norcal]

on ks, says it weighs 25 lbs.


saw it at local Maker's Faire,
the guy wouldn't let me test ride it, said it was still in prototype stage.

that diy version is not related,
there are whole bunch of of diy versions.
most use chain driven brush motors.
http://wackyboards.blogspot.com/search/label/motorized%20self%20balancing
https://sites.google.com/site/onewheeledselfbalancing/

there is another one coming to the market, made in China.
6 mph, $930
http://www.s-walker.com
http://www.gizmag.com/s-walker-board-balance-board-segway-skateboard/29036/

 

[daverobson08]

I wonder why they didn't add a cover for the wheel to stop you from catching it with your feet? Seems like that would be pretty important.

 

[cal3thousand]

I wonder why they didn't add a cover for the wheel to stop you from catching it with your feet? Seems like that would be pretty important.

I thought about that too... Maybe they're leaving the window open for tricks and/or unintended comedy

 

[sk8norcal]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4422853/onewheel-the-self-balancing-electric-skateboard?ref=live
at $60K
with almost 40 boards

 

[Flexscoot]

Agree for the wheel cover...

I am surprised that a direct drive hubmotor can get enough torque/smoothness at low speed to maintain the rider's balance...but can't find more technical information.

 

[torqueboards]

I seen a video it maxes out at about 13mph. Neat idea I think if you lean too far forward to go faster though you pretty much just tip forward or fall forward. I seen some videos online while they were at CES.

 

[sk8norcal]

I am surprised that a direct drive hubmotor can get enough torque/smoothness at low speed to maintain the rider's balance...but can't find more technical information.

its geared motor

 

[Flexscoot]

To Sk8norcal : Are you sure? it's stated in their specifications on ks page...
They even claim on their website that there is only one moving part, the wheel.
They also say that it's a transverse flux motor. Does such motor have more torque at low speed?

 

[sk8norcal]

ur right,
saw an older version showing geared
http://payload37.cargocollective.com/1/0/29445/3043687/Photo%20Apr%2015-%2011%2036%2005%20AM.jpg

http://www.hoganas.com/en/Segments/E-drive/E-Drive-System/Transverse-flux-motor/

 

[Flexscoot]

In their presskit, it is written : "...state-of-the-art axial flux brushless motor technology..."

In the motor technology chapter of this forum, it's explained that axial flux have superior torque at low speed.

Does someone knows about other (available from supplier) small dimension (8" tire) direct drive hubmotor ?

 

[silviasol]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/this-could-be-big-abc-news/sidewalk-surfer-163119384.html?vp=1

 

[efMX Trials Electric Freeride]

how about something like this scooter hub motor?? : http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=52078#p771923

In their presskit, it is written : "...state-of-the-art axial flux brushless motor technology..."

In the motor technology chapter of this forum, it's explained that axial flux have superior torque at low speed.

Does someone knows about other (available from supplier) small dimension (8" tire) direct drive hubmotor ?

 

[Flexscoot]

Thanks... I saw the post but did not notice that it was gearless and axial flux...

 

[sk8norcal]

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/11/5296628/the-dream-of-the-perfect-electric-skateboard-continues-at-ces-with

 

[silviasol]

This is a wheel barrel board type thing, lol. Wouldn't that large wheel drain the battery quickly? Also have the tire low on air I suppose so you can turn with it. Probably get twice the range with the same battery on a skateboard.

 

[efMX Trials Electric Freeride]

this thing looks very maneuverable to me..
[youtube]ns7RFZPTfpc[/youtube]
would def like to try it! 8)

This is a wheel barrel board type thing, lol. Wouldn't that large wheel drain the battery quickly? Also have the tire low on air I suppose so you can turn with it. Probably get twice the range with the same battery on a skateboard.

 

[Flexscoot]

I guess that silviasol meant that wide wheels are generally less efficient... specially when used at low pressure

 

[benj]

It looks fun and good luck to the guys behind it, but doesn't this look similar to some Instructable projects - some going back to 2010!

http://m.instructables.com/id/Self-balancing-one-wheeled-electric-skateboard/

http://m.instructables.com/id/Easy-build-self-balancing-skateboardrobotsegway-/

 

[sk8norcal]

made in san jose

[youtube]KrPRvP2H_v0[/youtube]

 

[torqueboards]

Pretty bad ass.. Nice to know everything is made locally.

 

[sl33py]

I saw a guy out on bainbridge island (ferry ride out from Seattle) on a date night who had one. Super maneuverable. Guy was using it to commute from his house to his art studio. Didn't go super fast, but seemed to move a larger guy pretty well, and something like a 20 min charge?

Looked like fun that's for sure. I definitely could see having one in the stable...

Just wish Marbel would do a similar walk through on their assembly line!

 

[sk8norcal]

Chinese onewheel clone seized at CES,
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-07/u-s-marshals-raid-hoverboard-booth-at-ces
http://community.rideonewheel.com/topic/599/what-the-what-is-this/18

[youtube]zMsc-as6eYY[/youtube]

 

[tung256]

OneWheel charges $1500.
the chinese cloned it, then sells for $500. ouch.

 

[torqueboards]

Seems like they took it down now.