Hoverboard Facts: Everything You Need To Know About This Cool Gadget

If you are a fan of 'Back To The Future Part II', then hoverboards are not unknown to you.

In that movie, Marty McFly travels to the future and rides a hoverboard. At the time, this was just a cool futuristic idea. But now, hoverboards are a reality (albeit with some limitations).

With the advent of one of the most desired toys in the world, it is really difficult to hold your excitement any longer. However, whether the invention is a success or a failure is yet to be decided.

Since people got their hands on this gadget, many negative reviews have been coming on a regular basis. For example, it has been disclosed that quite a good number of boards have burst into flames, sending the users straight to the emergency department.

Nonetheless, one must admit that having a hoverboard in real life is a dream come true (even though most of them don't fly)! In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about hoverboards.

We will cover topics such as how hoverboards work, safety concerns, and where you can buy them. So if you're curious about hoverboards, keep reading!

Invention And Technology

In a sense, the owner of the idea is Rober Zemeckis, the director of 'Back To The Future Part II', but in real life, it was invented by a different person altogether. So, who is it? You will find out in this article.

Since the movie came out (and also before that), several companies have tried to create a flying skateboard as shown in this work of science fiction. However, the first attempt was made much before the movie, in the '50s, by Hiller aircraft. It is said that the idea was very similar to the modern concept of self-balancing scooters.

A company called Arbortech Industries Limited was the first to introduce the Airboard Air-cushion Vehicle at the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000. Following that Jamie Hyneman invented a similar gadget using a surfboard and leafblower for the show 'MythBuster' in 2004.

It was called Hyneman Hoverboard and wasn't really effective. In 2005, another hoverboard was created for a show called 'The Gadget Show'.

The creator, Jason Bradbury, used a leafblower to levitate a wooden board. Bradbury's first design had no propeller or steering system, though he incorporated it into the next version of the gadget, which came out in 2009.

The modern version of the hoverboard, also known as the self-balancing scooter was invented in 2013 by an American businessman called Shane Chen.

Types Of Hoverboard

At first, it was just a fictitious gadget with no actual existence. But with time, people have found ways to make it real, and now there are several types of hoverboards that you can find in the market.

The first and most common type of hoverboard (or self-balancing scooter), is the one with two wheels. According to the manufacturers, it is the most stable design of all.

Though it requires a lot of balance, it is very easy to use. This kind of hoverboard uses foot sensors and moves when you lean in a direction. The more you lean your body, the faster it goes.

Over the years, the manufacturers have incorporated new technology to make the toy more fun. Based on the size two-wheel hoverboards can further be divided into four categories: 10 in (25.4 cm) hoverboard, 8 in (20.3 cm) hoverboard, 6 in (15.2 cm) hoverboard, and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) hoverboard.

The next one, with the look of a futuristic skateboard, is a kind that uses a single wheel. This is specifically what makes it faster and more agile than its two-wheeled cousin.

Apart from speed and agility, single-wheel hoverboards have a better braking system and a broader range all due to their one-wheel structure. However, they are more difficult to control and require more balance.

If you want an easier and more comfortable ride, then your first choice should be the hoverboard with a handle. This device is mainly designed and developed by a company called Segway.

The handle here is provided for better balance and a more comfortable ride. However, the functions of a Segway hoverboard remain the same: you have to control it using your feet.

With more space, better balance, improved power efficiency, and bigger batteries, this cousin of the self-balancing scooter is called the four-wheel hoverboard. Comparatively new, the device uses a promising design and may replace the traditional hoverboard in the years to come.

Its four wheels are intended to make the riding super comfortable and prevent you from receiving a serious injury.

Finally, here comes the one that can actually hover over the ground. This type of hoverboard mainly uses rotors for pushing air downward, so that you can actually float in the air and can steer in any direction you wish.

Moreover, if you are competent enough, you can ride it over both ground and water. This hoverboard also has a few types of its own; one of them, for example, is Omni. However, they are extremely rare.

Tips To Learn It Faster

Here is something that you should know before learning hoverboarding: hoverboards are safe if you use them correctly.

However, it is important to always wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding a hoverboard to avoid serious injuries like wounds, head bruises, and shoulder and ankle injuries. Also, buy the ones that use batteries from LG or Samsung.

Once all the precautions are taken, you are ready to learn hoverboarding. The step requires you to put it on the ground in front of you.

Now, place one of your feet (the one that you are most comfortable with or your dominant foot) on the hoverboard. Be careful, because as soon as the sensor in the device detects your weight, it will start moving. So, it can be a bit tricky, but it is recommended that you stay confident.

Once you get used to the initial functioning of the sensor, put your other foot on the board as well. For better control, try to keep your feet as far from each other as possible.

Keep your body straight and your eyes forward and slowly use your body weight (just a slight lean in any direction will do) to make the device move.

Now comes the act of turning. It's only natural that you will face many difficulties in this act on your first attempt, but it is not as tough as it seems.

You only have to press the toes of one leg (either right or left) forward; for example, push down the toes of the right foot to turn left, and do the same with the left foot to turn right.

FAQs

Do hoverboards fly?

Most of them that are available in the market don't fly. However there are some that hover over the ground, but they are not widely accessible.

Do hoverboards float?

In most cases, no. They have wheels and batteries and generally stay on the ground.

Will hoverboards ever exist?

Of course. There are many manufacturers who are relentlessly trying to create hoverboards that can actually float in the air. But it might take a long time to eliminate all the issues and make the devices safer for the riders. In particular, there have been issues with the batteries previously used that needs fixing.

Does a hoverboard have wheels?

Yes, most of the hoverboards that are available to us at present have wheels. They also have sensors that help them operate.

How fast do hoverboards go?

It is said that the average speed of hoverboards is somewhere between 6-7 mi per hour (9.7-11.2 km per hour). However, it really depends on the type of hoverboard that you are riding. for example, an 8-inch Lamborghini hoverboard can run as fast as 13 mi per hour (20.9 km per hour).

What muscles do hoverboards use?

Apparently, a hoverboard is controlled by feet. But it actually requires the movements of the whole body to move the device according to your wish. That's why it is also called a self-balancing scooter.