The self-balancing scooter, or “hoverboard,” seemingly came out of nowhere to become 2015’s most viral product. But one of the most popular brands making these two-wheeled balancing boards, IO Hawk, sees them as more than just a fad.
What’s next for IO Hawk? The company is currently working on a new hoverboard that will be able to connect to the Internet, company president John Soibatian tells TIME. The idea, he says, is to have the hoverboard serve as a wi-fi hotspot. Soibatian says that would help users reach their emergency contacts if their phone is out of juice, perhaps via a button that would send an SOS message.
In another use case, a connected scooter could send an alert to your smartphone letting you know the battery is about to run dry.
“[There are] a whole slew of things that cellular functionality can add to,” hoverboards, says Soibatian.
These ideas are still in their early stages; an Internet-connected model likely wouldn’t launch until late 2016 or early 2017 at best. Among the biggest obstacles so far: Battery life. Soibatian says that IO Hawk is looking into ways to add cellular connectivity without significantly draining the scooter’s battery.
Batteries are proving to be a headache for hoverboards in general. Some cheaper models are raising safety concerns over their batteries’ tendency to overheat and explode. In some cases, exploding hoverboards have been blamed for starting major house fires. Several major airlines, including British Airways and Delta, have banned hoverboards over fears of on-board explosions. Soibatian said in a previous interview with TIME that some of his company’s rivals use cheaper and potentially dangerous batteries to cut costs.
Hoverboards. "There are such a significant number of out there I simply don't know where to go." "How would I realize that it won't burst into flames?" "For what reason would I get one?" "What's the purpose of a Hoverboard Cart, doesn't that simply advance lethargy?" "What would it be a good idea for me to request that when I go purchase a hoverboard?"
ReplyDeleteHoverboards. "There are such a noteworthy number of out there I essentially don't know where to go." "How might I understand that it won't burst into flares?" "For what reason would I get one?" "What's the motivation behind a
ReplyDeleteSegway Bluetooth doesn't that basically propel torpidity?" "What might it be a smart thought for me to ask for that when I go buy a hoverboard?"
Under the appropriate state enactment, Argos Hoverboard transportation might be told to happen on walkways, bicycle ways or littler streets. Also, state laws may assign a base age that the rider must be to legitimately ride this gadget. ... In the larger part of purviews, Segways can be ridden lawfully on walkways.
ReplyDeleteCool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us. children hoverboard
ReplyDeleteDear, your post has one thing that caught my attention! Its information is more useful than many other articles on this topic. Anyway, can you extend your supports a little more with the Bike? That would be a great help to our website bike chains and most of its potential readers.
ReplyDelete