GroundSurf electric skateboard is guided by your phone

We know what you're pondering this fine Thursday morning: how can I most effectively put my body in danger while sustaining full dorkiness? All those "action sports" like flipping motorcycles and skiing through avalanches are just way too glamorous. Well, your answer has arrived in the GroundSurf board from Ratleads. The three-wheeled board has an electric motor, and a unique control scheme that allows you to speed and slow the board using touch controls on an HTC phone over Bluetooth. What could possibly go wrong? The board will be out "soon" for somewhere in the neighborhood of two grand.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[Blackster @ Nov 15th 2007 11:02AM]

well, well it looks good for sure. the perfect toy for iphone nerds ^^

[jim @ Nov 15th 2007 1:21PM]

What happens if you get an important call while riding? Road-rash?

[Kosso @ Nov 15th 2007 11:06AM]

Would be funny to pair phone with someone else's - and drive them off.

I can see a lot of phones getting broken with this, as people fall off with their beloved phone in their hands!

Still. I'd laugh ;)

[Chuckles McGee @ Nov 15th 2007 11:40AM]

There's usually a security code used when pairing Bluetooth devices. Not invincible, but certainly enough to hold off most casual evildoers.

[JamesR @ Nov 15th 2007 12:16PM]

Does anyone actually change it from 0000? Anyone that use this board? :)

[Larz @ Nov 15th 2007 4:12PM]

I'm more inclined to use 12345, same as my luggage... and the air shield surrounding druidia.

[Mike @ Nov 15th 2007 11:11AM]

Screw phones...someone hook a wiimote up to this....

[ZeoSzeHo @ Nov 15th 2007 11:32AM]

Even better with a six-axis that does rumble

[Chad @ Nov 15th 2007 2:42PM]

Or iPhone tilt/accelerometer control. Like the game "labyrinth" on the iPhone. Then you just need it on a bungie from inside your pocket, so when you fall off the phone springs back into your pocket.

[muddyh2o @ Nov 15th 2007 11:19AM]

it's illegal in my municipality to skate and be on the phone at the same time. that makes this a banned item.

[oshean @ Nov 15th 2007 11:20AM]

6 6 6 6 6 4! 4! 911

[Ayle @ Nov 15th 2007 4:44PM]

made my day! thank you.

[monomongoose @ Nov 15th 2007 11:25AM]

I can imagine increasing the speed and the phone crashing resulting in the board being locked at that speed exactly the wrong moment!

[tweak @ Nov 15th 2007 11:28AM]

If it goes fast enough I'd consider getting this...the fellas I longboard with would love it. And the website says you don't have to use the phone as a remote, it speeds up when you lean forward and slows down when you lean back. Very cool.

[Tony @ Nov 15th 2007 11:28AM]

Is there a reason this doesn't hover?

[Alexander @ Nov 15th 2007 11:35AM]

It's not 2015 yet. And you aren't Marty McFly.

HELLO? IS THERE ANYBODY IN THERE? McFLY?

[Tony @ Nov 15th 2007 11:46AM]

I wasn't thinking 4th dimensionally. I have a real problem with that.

[Onetruebill @ Nov 15th 2007 12:34PM]

this is the greatest thing since a skateboard that doesn't use a phone!

[CharlieX @ Nov 15th 2007 12:52PM]

I may be dork enough to comment on Engadget... but if I ever see some douchebag on one of these, I'm going to break it over his douchey face.

[Rock Stone @ Nov 15th 2007 2:50PM]

(22 years of skateboarding)
(forever a gadget geek)
woke up to coffee and hate for the three-wheeled Batskate

1.two grand...
2.after hitting a puddle, sensors fail...
3.electric? it costs money everyday just to own it...
4.pack that up and pay shipping for service
5.aforementioned 'remote pilots'
6.can you imagine that sharking you? (hitting your ankle)

Congrats to the company for trying.

I'm glad it was engadget, not the company, that called it a skateboard. No mention of the s-word on their website. Good. It ain't.

[jonny @ Nov 15th 2007 3:27PM]

You can find a lesser skateboard on eBay starting at around 100 USD and going up that operates via remote control with much the same functionality. There are relatively good quality Chinese-made "off road" electronic skateboards for under 500 if you're in the market.

[tchurch @ Nov 15th 2007 8:17PM]

Adds a whole new 'spin' on moniker "Windows Mobile Sicks"