Onewheel

Onewheel

Onewheel

Self-balancing personal transporter

Onewheel is a self-balancing single wheel electric board-sport, recreational personal transporter, often described as an electric skateboard. Unlike the electric unicycle where the rider stands astride of the wheel, the rider stands on a board with feet on either side of a wheel which moves the rider sideways, as shown in the illustration to the right (and can turn in either direction).[1][2][3][4]

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History

The first device similar to a Onewheel was invented by Ben Smither in 2007.[5] Future Motion Inc. founder and CEO Kyle Doerksen created a commercial version of the concept several years later.[6][7] Doerksen holds two engineering degrees from Stanford University, including a master's degree in mechanical engineering.[6] In 2013, he left his job at IDEO and started Future Motion Inc. in Santa Cruz.[8] He launched Onewheel on Kickstarter on January 6, 2014; the Kickstarter exceeded its campaign goal of $100,000 and reached over $630,000 by January 27, 2014.[9][8] The original Onewheel was released in 2015.[10] Future Motion Inc. was first headquartered in Mountain View, California. In 2015, the firm moved its headquarters to Santa Cruz, California, and operated out of the Old Wrigley Building. In 2018, they expanded their operational footprint and now assemble Onewheels in Santa Cruz at a 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m2) facility.[6]

Future Motion released Onewheel+ in 2017,[10] the Onewheel+ XR in 2018,[10] and the Onewheel Pint in 2019.[11] In late 2021 Future Motion announce two new models, the GT and Pint X. GT being the “Flagship” model and the Pint X being the exceeder of the original Pint released in 2019, the Pint X had 12–18 miles of range and a top speed of 18 mph while the original Pint had 6–8 miles of range and a top speed of 16 mph.

Onewheels can be used as a method of transportation. They have been ridden in over 40 countries for over 100 million miles.[12][13]

Race for the rail

In 2015, Onewheel held the first Race for the Rail event. During the event riders race each other on mountain bike trails, competing for a cash prize. In 2020, the event was held at an undisclosed Utah ski resort in order to keep spectator numbers down during the coronavirus pandemic. The finals were live streamed on YouTube.[14] In 2022 the event was held at Sky Tavern Resort and was a boarder-cross style competition.[15]

Board technology

Operation

To use the board, riders place their feet on either side of the wheel. A rider's front foot goes on top of a pressure-sensitive pad that detects when a rider is on the board; there is also a back footpad.[16][17] To direct the board, riders lean slightly in the direction they want to travel.[16] To stop, riders lift their heel off the side of the front footpad.[18][19] If using the Onewheel Pint, riders can use the optional dismount system, Simplestop,[20] by leaning back to make the board stop slowly and disengage, allowing riders to step off. This convenient feature can be turned off in the Android/iOS app.[21] The new board, Onewheel GT, will come with the new Digital Shaping 3.0 include the Simplestop feature from the Pint and Pint X.[22]

Engineering

Onewheel's single wheel contains a brushless electric motor that spins to propel riders forwards or backwards making constant small adjustments to keep riders balanced. Each Onewheel has three internal accelerometers and gyroscopes that continuously measure the orientation of the board in space. These monitors take readings approximately 14,000 times per second in order to tell the motor what to do to help riders balance and move.[16]

All of the models use 'Pushback' to warn the rider that they are about to reach the maximum safe speed.[20] Pushback gently forces the nose of the Onewheel up when riders approach unsafe speeds, alerting riders that they need to slow down.[23][20]

Riders are able to choose to use an app that displays battery charge and miles traveled, and regulates different modes for the rider.[16] The app also allows riders to control other board functions to personalize how the board responds to their riding style.[16][19]

Terrain ability

One major advantage of Onewheels over e-skateboards is their ability to ride over a variety of terrain. "Onewheels are equipped with a go-kart sized tire allowing for off-road and all-terrain use."[24] According to a review by Wired magazine, Future Motion has taken steps to make their boards safer by including the Simplestop technology and the pushback feature.[25] CleanTechnica has noted, "Onewheel brings together the benefits of electric mobility in a portable package that’s easy to master. It is extremely stable without sacrificing the fun factor."[26]

A Future Motion Onewheel GT with Jewel Grey Rail Guards and the Full Flight Systems by Flight Fins. Flight Fins allow the riders feet to more easily remain on the footpads by adding a soft lip above the foot.

Models

Onewheel

The original model, Onewheel, had a range of 4–6 mi (6.5–9.5 km) and a top speed of 13 mph (20 km/h). It was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 6, 2014; it has since been discontinued.[27]

Onewheel+

The subsequent version, Onewheel+, introduced in January, 2017, had an improved range of 5–7 mi (8–11.5 km) and top speed of 19 mph (30 km/h).[28][29] It was discontinued in favor of the Onewheel+ XR.

Onewheel+ XR

A Onewheel XR with optional fender and decorative stickers on a college running track.

The Onewheel+ XR was introduced in 2018 with a range of 12–18 mi (20–30 km) and top speed of 19 mph (30 km/h).[30][29] In 2021, the Onewheel+ XR was discontinued in favor of the Onewheel GT, and was on sale at a $300 discount until the remaining XR inventory sold out on December 13, 2021. In late summer of 2022, the onewheel+ XR was put on sale again on the Onewheel website for a brief amount of time due to extra inventory.[31] It is a favorite in the community of riders due to its range, speed, durability, and ability to be modded.

Pint

Onewheel Pint with a range of 6–8 mi (9.5–13 km) and top speed of 16 mph (25 km/h); The Pint includes an LED light display that indicates battery status and a handle for ease of carrying.[32] It is still in production as of 2023. This smaller platform has a lower max weight recommendation of 250 lbs (113kgs)[33]

Pint X

In October 2021, Onewheel announced 2 new models, the Onewheel GT,[34] and the Onewheel Pint X.[35] The Pint X has a top speed of 18 mph (30 km/h), slightly faster than the Pint; and a range of 12–18 mi (19.5–29 km). It is slightly slower and has more notable pushback than an XR, but a similar range.

GT

The Onewheel GT,[34] introduced in October 2021, has a range of 20–32 mi (32–51.5 km) and a top speed of 20 mph (30 km/h) - slightly faster than the XR -. It uses a 6.5" diameter hub, rather than a 6" hub as previous models did, preventing standard go-kart tires from being used.

Onewheel GT with optional Carbon Fiber Fender & 'Murdered Out' themed Rail Guards.

The launch of the GT has been criticized because of boards that were dead on arrival or boards that exhibited "ghosting," whereby the board would rapidly accelerate without a rider on it.[36]

GT S-Series

The Onewheel GT S-series is the newest model announced on October 27, 2023. It is being advertised as the most powerful Onewheel having a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). It has a reduced ranged of 16-25 miles compared to the 20-32 mile range of the GT. This is being called the first performance Onewheel by the manufacturer Future Motion. The new battery pack is increased from 75 volts of the current GT up to 113 volts, a 50% increase. The all new battery pack utilizes p45b 21700 cells for "more torque at speed". The GT-S also weights 2 pounds lighter than the current GT. MSRP is $3,200 as of the announcement date. The launch of this model is coming on the heels of the recent controversial "Haptic Buzz" firmware update that stemmed from safety issues and recalls of the previous versions.

Criticism

Right to repair

Future Motion has faced criticism for not allowing third party modifications or repairing of the board outside of their one repair center in California. The lack of cooperation to license other shops to do repairs including a tire replacement is problematic, according to YouTuber Louis Rossmann.[37] Future Motion did soften their stance on third-party tires, no longer treating them as warranty-voiding alterations. There is a third-party modifications community for Onewheels, with modifications including larger battery packs, "Flight Fins", custom angled rails, and protective ("float") plates.[38]

GT issues

On August 11, 2022, Future Motion announced a voluntary recall of approximately 20,500 Onewheel GT front footpads. This was in response to 813 reports of the footpad failing to disengage after the rider had dismounted.[36][39]

Safety issues and recall

On November 16, 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning saying that consumers should stop using Onewheels, citing the deaths of four riders (three of whom were not wearing a helmet) and others injured after being ejected from the board.[40] Future Motion originally objected to the CPSC statement, stating that Onewheel products were safe when operated following basic safe riding principles common to any board sport, including wearing a helmet and other safety gear.[41][42][43] In September 2023, Future Motion changed its position and recalled all Onewheels, not by physically taking them back but as a firmware update.[44][45] The company said the devices can stop balancing if their performance limits are exceeded. It offered an update that gives haptic feedback when the limits are reached, for the Onewheel GT, Pint X, Pint, and XR models only.[46]

See also

References

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