Hoverboard: what is it, how does it work and which one is better to choose?

The science fiction writers of the last century described in their books and filmed certain devices for moving a person. Futuristic cities, where residents smoothly glide along the streets without taking a single step with their feet, begin to gradually become reality. This is how scooters look fantastic.

Hoverboard - outdoor vehicle. It looks like a bar for the legs with two wheels on the sides. The wheels are driven by electric motors. And so that a person maintains balance in an upright position, The gyro scooter contains a fairly large number of sensitive gyro sensors. Sometimes gyro scooters are called hoverboards, but this is not entirely correct, because a flying board invented by science fiction writers was called a hoverboard.

The gyro scooters were invented at the end of the last century, then not the balancing devices themselves appeared, but only their prototypes. The ancestor of our modern hovercraft was the Segway. But it was equipped with steering, and the gyro scooter went further - there is no steering column in it and a person can control the device not with his hands, but only by moving the weight from side to side, balancing. It is very simple: you need to go forward - you lean forward, you need to stop - you lean the body back.Similarly, the fantastic transport that has become a reality turns right and left.

The first modern gyro scooter was released in 2010. The first to put on stream their production of Chinese and Korean masters. Until now, global companies have debated who the author of the hoverboard is. Almost simultaneously, the device was presented by several companies at once, but one thing is certain - the invention of the principle of self-balancing belongs to American Dean Kamenwho gave the world an electric scooter - segway.

To understand how a gyro scooter works, you need to clearly understand how it works. The case of a modern device is small; if desired, it can easily be carried in a bag. Light weight. The foot platform has two wheels on the sides. Thanks to them, the device gets the opportunity to move.

The platform is only seemingly monolithic; in fact, it consists of two half-platforms. Each can move in a given range at certain angles. The upper part of the case has elements responsible for control. They look like flattened buttons, they communicate with the gyro sensor.

In the center of the platform there is a steel mount, it is hidden under the lid. In the literal sense of the word, the whole load falls on it - carrying capacity. Most modern models can support weight up to 100 kg.

The hoverboard has two electric motors. One is on the right, the other is on the left, their work is not interconnected, the engines operate autonomously from each other. There are also two gyroscopic sensors in vehicles, and when a person changes the position of the body, the position of the platform under his feet changes, the sensors send information about this through the loop to the motherboard. Own processor of the transport miracle of technology gives commands to the right or left engine. And all these processes take place in a matter of seconds.

Modern gyroboards can do a lot and this is not only a sensitive movement in response to a change in the position of the human body. Almost all models have lights and lights - they can indicate their upcoming maneuvers for others. And you can just use the built-in Bluetooth system, turn on your favorite music while driving and synchronize the backlight to the beat.

So why is the gyro scooter going? Yes because sensitive gyroscopic sensors detect even slight changes in the position of the foot platform relative to the surface of the earth. By tilting the body forward or to the sides, you start this process again and again. And in order to sharply accelerate or slow down, a person can put a toe of the foot on one of the two flat buttons mentioned above. Some models optional have information panels, come with a remote control.

Innovative transport has its advantages and disadvantages. The gyro scooter is a very maneuverable mode of transport and it is easy to get to the metro on it - quickly and under the admiring glances of the crowd. At the metro door or at a public transport stop, the gyro scooter fits in your bag and easily fits on your shoulder. Not a single transport - neither a car, nor a moped, nor a motorcycle can be taken with you, and this is a great advantage of a gyro scooter.

Their owners do not need to look for a parking place. He does not need maintenance costs, he does not need gas so expensive by modern standards. The main thing is not to forget to charge the device on time. The gyro scooter is quite easy to learn and is available both in price and in the offered range.

Among the shortcomings, it can be noted that its the wheels are pretty hard and therefore on a gyro scooter quite noticeably shakes while driving.For comfortable movement, you need to choose only flat footpaths with a high-quality and smooth asphalt surface. If the asphalt on your route leaves much to be desired, then you will have to go broke on a more expensive vehicle with ten-inch wheels.

The disadvantages include the lack of a seat. It, by and large, is not required, because this innovative transport is designed for short trips, and not for long trips. Another minus - you can’t throw a friend to the subway. This is a purely individual means of transportation, designed for one person, and not for the company.

In the rules of the road, operating in the territory of the Russian Federation, the concept of "hoverboard" is absent. And many are sure that the rights to such vehicles are not needed. Is it really?

From the point of view of traffic rules, the gyro scooter has 2 wheels, and therefore can be equated to a bicycle if its power is more than 0.25 kW and the maximum speed does not exceed 25 km / h, and to a moped, if its engine has a power of 0.25 to 4 kW, and the maximum speed does not exceed 50 km / h. If the gyro scooter can move at a speed of more than 50 km / h, then it should be considered a motorcycle at all.

The power of the hovercraft engine is often not indicated by sellers, and therefore buyers have no idea how their vehicle qualifies. Most of the gyro scooters sold today in Russia, according to technical specifications, meet the definition of “moped”. Therefore, according to the letter of the law, the right to drive such vehicles requires category "M" rights. Theoretically, their absence can lead to a fine in the amount of 5 to 15 thousand rubles.

Inspectors may have questions and complaints about gyroscopic performance if:

• you drive along the roadway, even along its edge, and there are pedestrian roads nearby;
• you are in your vehicle in a state of extreme intoxication, but in this case, questions as a full-fledged pedestrian will be asked not by the traffic police, but by the teaching staff.

Before you cross the pedestrian crossing, you do not need to dismount, as prescribed for cyclists. For traffic rules you are on a platform and two wheels - a pedestrian.

In this way, in Russia, you do not need to get a right to a scooter. Anyway, bye. Soon traffic police officers plan to give such vehicles a special status, and then the rules may change.

In the meantime, the only thing that threatens gyro-quality is a fine under Part 1 of Article 12.29 of the SDA of 500 rubles for any committed violation of the rules of the road. If in your two-wheeled miracle you interfere with other participants in the movement, you can get a fine of 1,000 rubles for part 1 of article 12.30. If you have harmed the health of another participant in the movement by controlling a gyro scooter, the fine will be up to 1.5 thousand rubles under the same article.

It is a mistake to consider a hoverboard everything that moves thanks to the principle of a self-balancing system. The work of monowheels, segways, mini-segways is based on the same principle. This does not make the listed devices gyro scooters in any way. If we talk about gyro scooters, then the following varieties exist.

The smallest vehicles of bright color weighing only about 5 kilograms. Intend for children from 5 to 9 years. Develop a low speed - not more than 9 km / h. They will pass a little while charging the battery - not more than 11-12 km. All indicators and technical characteristics of such devices are below average, but for children’s use, this fact is considered the most optimal and safe.

The great advantage of this type of gyroscopic scooter is the balancing setting for a child's weight up to 25 kilograms. This is useful when learning to ride. Cost can be considered a minus - children's gyro scooters can cost more than devices for teenagers.

The gyro scooter 6.5 looks bigger and more solid than children's models. It is faster, it has the best power indicators. Each wheel has 300-350 watts. Such a device weighs more - about 9 kilograms, but overall it looks pretty compact.

The size of the wheels of 6.5 inches does not give the vehicle high all-terrain performance. On it you will not go far on sand, a rocky surface, on the ground, on grass. And even when driving on smooth asphalt, strong vibration is felt, since the wheels are rigid, tubeless.

The scooter 8 has the best performance in terms of power, speed, and cross-country ability, but its dimensions are larger and it weighs heavier. However, without significant problems, he moves along rough roads. Electric motors of some models can provide power of 400 watts for each of the wheels.

Such gyroscopic scooters can accelerate to 20 km / h. On one full battery charge, you can drive up to two tens of kilometers. They cost more than their "brothers" with fewer inches. The wheels, although "grown", but remained solid, but because vibration during driving will certainly be felt, as well as faster wear of parts in general.

Vehicles with the largest wheels have just such an indicator. Large wheels significantly expand the possibilities - you can ride a gyro scooter on the ground, puddles, snow, sand, on a gravel surface. This is a real "SUV" among their own kind. It features a higher power, the presence of inflatable chamber wheels, due to what vibration during movement is reduced and the life of the device itself is extended.

Such models can accelerate to 25 kilometers per hour, engines give power of 500 watts per wheel. Such an innovative transport weighs about 15 kilograms; it is difficult to carry it in a bag with you. The cost of such models is by far the highest.

People often wonder if there are 12-inch gyro scooters on offer. They tried to produce such and even larger ones, but they weighed under two dozen kilograms. To rotate such large wheels, they put very powerful batteries, which made the device heavier and made it very expensive in cost.

therefore The most optimal for today is a gyro scooter with wheels maximum 10.5 inches. If you are offered a device with 12 inches or more, think carefully about whether you need it.

The scooter opens up a lot of opportunities for its owner - you can ride in the park and breathe air in your free time, you can quickly get to the university, you can have fun with your friends while riding on such beautiful and interesting devices. In the United States, this mode of transport is quite popular among courier delivery service employees.

The information display available on some models will show the battery consumption, you can connect a smartphone to it so that you can see who is calling you and what messages have arrived. There are models with a remote control. Almost all modern gyro scooters are equipped with Bluetooth modules and speakers for playing music, to ride was more fun. The gyro scooter has lighting devices, and if you connect the smartphone to Bluetooth, then you can synchronize the blinking of the backlight to the beat of the melody as you wish.

Particularly creative personalities use self-balance not only for moving, but also for staging dances, choreographic numbers, and stage performances.

Leading brands compete for the right to invent something new and interesting with the release of “Transport of the Future”. We present you with several options to choose from. The rating is based on the popularity of models among buyers.

Bright multi-colored model with a large carrying capacity - up to 110 kg. It has small wheels, designed for city walks on a flat road. Great for beginners.

It can serve as a means of transportation for both children and adults. The battery capacity is enough for continuous three-hour riding. Equipped with bright backlight, You can ride even in the dark.

This vehicle is quickly charging, it has a high build quality. It has enhanced moisture protection. Popularity is also due to a record warranty period of 3 years.

Inexpensive, but solid transport with perfect balance and the ability to withstand weight up to 120 kg. Develops high speed. It has two operating modes - training for beginners and advanced for confident users.

It has a strong engine and good wheels, is able to climb a small, but still slide.

Equipped with decent inflatable wheels, speeds up to 17 km / h, passes on different roads without significant difficulties. Equipped with bright backlight. With all this, its cost is low, and therefore the model is very popular.

It is able to move at speeds up to 25 km / h, has solid large inflatable wheels. Auto balance is very sensitive, and therefore for beginners the model is not the most suitable. The engine is powerful.

If you choose a gyro scooter for yourself or a child, it is also worth considering brand models Eboard, Mizar, SpeedRoll, MiniRobot, Asixbot, Umka, iconBIT. Having decided on the model, you can choose what you like in any color available to her. The most popular are red, white, black, gold colors.

To choose a gyro scooter so as not to regret buying it later, simple recommendations will help.

• Manufacturer. American models are always more expensive than Chinese. But if the financial situation allows, it is better to choose an authentic American thing. If you don’t have enough money for this, feel free to take a Chinese gyro scooter, since even American companies place their production in China.
• Price. Too cheap a vehicle is not always a quality product, as manufacturers often save on materials and assembly.
• Place of purchase. It is best to take transport from an official manufacturer who can provide a quality certificate and provide a long and reliable warranty service.
• Body. The best are gyroscopic scooters, the body of which is made of plastic with a steel frame. Pay attention to the presence of protective pads, bumpers. If they are, this is a big and undoubted plus.
• Wheels. If children have more than enough and four-inch wheels, then for adults, the choice should begin with devices with 6-8-inch wheels or more.
• Additional functions. If you need them, be sure to evaluate their availability and quality. Music, lighting, information board, remote control - all this should work perfectly and correctly.

Soberly appreciate where and how much you need to ride. For smooth roads, more budget options with a small wheel size are suitable. For other places it is better to pick up large inflatable wheels. Pay attention to power. Some manufacturers indicate it in total, while others - based on each wheel.

Complete with a scooter should be a bag with a wide and comfortable handle, which will allow you to carry the device in your hands and shoulder. If the wheels are inflatable chamber, it is desirable that the kit included spare camera.

It is impossible to call a hoverboard safe. It is dangerous and the probability of injury always exists. For example, in Britain riding a gyro scooter is prohibited on roads and sidewalks. A battery, if it is of poor quality, can ignite spontaneously, but lithium batteries are usually more prone to this. Therefore, some airlines prohibit the transport of such vehicles in the cabin.

Given that the device sometimes accelerates to decent speeds, It is recommended to wear special knee pads, a helmet and elbow pads, as well as try not to exceed the recommended speed of 10 km / h. If the inclination of the body is too strong, engine self-shutdown is not ruled out.

Before the first use, you need to carefully read the instructions, pump up the wheels, adjust the balancing for yourself. Follow this procedure:

• after removing the packaging you need to turn on the start button;
• flashing and a beep may indicate a low battery level, so charge the device and restart it again;
• when the foot is placed on the platform, the signal on the start of self-balancing will light up. If it is not lit or flashing, contact a service center.

Both legs should be placed on the platform, after which you need to relax the body, not immediately starting skating. The smooth tilt of the body back and forth with an angle of 5-15 degrees should be a team for moving forward and backward, respectively. For a left turn, body weight is transferred to the right foot, for a right turn - to the left.

When riding is completed, you need to stop the device by smoothly tilting in the opposite direction of movement. One leg falls to the ground - the weight is immediately transferred to it, after which the second leg is removed from the platform.

The most common malfunctions are described by users as follows:

• the battery discharges too quickly - this usually happens with inexpensive Chinese batteries;
• the scooter vibrates a lot and makes noise when driving - you should check the tire pressure, adjust the wheels.

More complex failures include errors in the operation of the motherboard and the wheel controller board, the breakdown of sensors, engines.

Dismantle the scooter and find the reason why one half of the platform does not work, the scooter jerks, does not keep balance, the lamp constantly flashes or the scooter turns off right on the go, only a specialist can. Such home experiments are contraindicated.

Weaknesses of gyro scooters are considered:

• intolerance to low temperatures;
• vulnerable batteries - if you do not use the device, be sure to charge it 1-2 times a month.

A new gyro scooter usually does not need to be balanced or calibrated at home. If there are problems, it is better to return the purchase to the seller.

After a long downtime, the device needs balance before new application. This will help to avoid errors in the settings. You can return the device to factory settings. To do this, the gyro scooter is turned off, placed on a flat surface. Then, press the power key and hold it for about 10 seconds.

Owners respond differently about their scooters. Much depends on how successful the choice was made, how the device is operated. Most of the reviews are positive, but there is also a negative experience - when a poor-quality device was purchased, the scooter quickly broke down, etc. In any case, it is easy to find user reviews for each model. Analyze them before you buy.

For your device to last a long time, be careful in choosing roads. Do not drown the device, especially if it does not have moisture protection. Wash the device only with a damp cloth and no aggressive detergents.

See how to choose a hoverboard in the next video.