02-24-2018 12:02:00
Hoverboards owe their recent popularity to Hollywood celebrities like Justin Bieber, Whiz Khalifa and Kendall Jenner gliding in on hoverboards at concerts, on the streets, and in high-profile events. They're now available in all kinds of colors and shades including customized graffiti. They also come with a range of accessories that protect them from damage and add to their style quotient.
The modern avatar of the hoverboard is a self-balancing board with a platform that gives you the sensation of flight. Hoverboards have an average speed of 10 mph. Once fully charged, they can travel a distance of up to 15 miles.
Although real hoverboard's don't actually levitate or fly, they can be a lot of fun to use. All you have to do is step on and the hoverboard starts moving. You can control the speed, turn and other factors by small movements of your feet, legs and torso.
These self-balancing electric scooters remain upright with the help of pressure sensors and microprocessors that gather information about the board's tilt. Learning how to use a hoverboard can be a little tricky at first because you can't use your hands, but after some practice (and maybe a few falls) you will be zooming around the streets of your city with ease.
Despite their popularity, self-balancing scooters have been under the microscope for several reasons - safety being the foremost. We have heard of instances of hoverboards overheating or exploding. While this is concerning, this is mainly a problem with cheaply made knockoffs that don't adhere to safety standards. The most common cause is the poor positioning of the battery and lack of proper insulation. Like most of the best ride-on toys, safety certifications are now and enforced for hoverboards in different countries.
An ideal hoverboard will have lithium batteries and logic boards located on opposite sides to reduce any chances of overheating. To ensure this doesn't happen with you, it's better to source your hoverboard from a reputable manufacturer directly. It's not just mechanical issues; hoverboards also face the challenge of being banned within cities on roads and sidewalks for road safety reasons.
That's because hoverboards are not considered a mode of transport in cities like London and New York. According to the law, motorized transports are not allowed on pavements or roads. So, it's safe to ride these only on private property or parks in these areas. Check the relevant laws in your area and always use safety gear while operating your hoverboard to avoid any unfortunate run-ins with the law.
The current form of the hoverboard has several shortcomings: small wheels and a sensitive suspension that doesn't prove to be of much help on rough terrain. Even small cracks in the pavement, uneven sidewalks, and pebbles can obstruct your way while riding a hoverboard. Simply put, hoverboards require a seamless surface to run on. Future hoverboards might address this situation with larger wheels and suspension that further stabilizes the boards to allow off-roading.
In the UK who have developed vibration-proof bodies which means that these hoverboards are able to withstand the shocks they are subjected to. Introducing suspension will mean subjecting hoverboards to a range of terrains which means the sensors will need to have constant stability so that they can keep the board balanced.
There will also be the need for introducing a stationary axis to counter the uneven acceleration and deceleration caused by the footpads. The most important issue to be addressed in hoverboard manufacturing is the battery system which tends to overheat every now and then. Manufacturers should figure out the ideal placement and installation measures for the batteries in order to avoid any further damage. Hoverboards might also benefit from an overcharging notification system.