Man improves, adds a dose of trademark infringement to single-wheeled skateboard concept

Did you like the idea of Ben Smither's single-wheeled, self-balancing scooter but wished the thing looked a little less... utilitarian? Check out John Dingley's one wheeled self-balancing skateboard project, aka "The No Snowboard," aka "The Hot Wheel." It was inspired by Smither's earlier creation and likewise relies on a single go cart racing slick in the center spun by a (slightly more powerful) 420W electric motor, but adds a lovely wooden surface and racing decals to the top, improving the look immensely. The rider leans in either direction to get the thing going (as demonstrated in motion below) and the slight curvature of the tire allows for turning just like you would with a normal skateboard. Right now maximum speed is a somewhat pedestrian 7 mph, but Dingley estimates that a Segway-matching 12 mph is possible with better gearing. We can't wait for the inevitable self-balancing scooter racing series.

[Via Instructables]

[coffee @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:51AM]

Is there a wheel shortage? It's cool and all, but wouldn't you prefer a skateboard that balanced itself via >1 wheel + gravity?

[Dave @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:13AM]

No wheel shortage but there aparently is a shortage on trademark infringements, etc. That's why this guy decided to steal the "Hot Wheels" logo.

[tom @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:18AM]

@Mark

There is a "likely" infringement to Mattel with "likelihood of confusion"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark_infringement

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 2nd 2009 8:30PM]

Pow Pow Powerwheels...

[Boarderwoot @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:52AM]

It looks he used some of that gold garland stuff from his tree for the drive train.

[Gad Get @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:55AM]

Ugh, terrible music!

[gonintendo @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:11AM]

You consider that music?

[Gad Get @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:16AM]

Barely.

[Oli D @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:20AM]

I'll tell you how he made it

Finder - Applications - GarageBand - New Project - Instrument select Synth Basic - Circuit dialogue - press different keys for 2 mins.

It's the music that people in the 60s thought we would listen to now.

[Dopefish @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:01AM]

How fantastically redundant. If you wanted a skateboard to be able to go from A to B, get a long board. Cheaper, faster and by the looks of it, hell of a lot more fun!

[strider_mt2k @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:02AM]

Needs more crap stuck to it.

[Brent @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:21AM]

Looks like we're about one wheel away from hoverboards.

[Michael C Taylor @ Jan 2nd 2009 12:24PM]

They don't work on water.

[Marty McFly @ Jan 2nd 2009 3:46PM]

Nobody calls me chicken.

[t-o89 @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:36PM]

but its your kids marty! your kids!!

[Oli D @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:23AM]

Why does it have a webcam on it...?

This is episode 3 of the "MonoWheel riders Videoblog", today i'm cruuuzing down to the shop to get a lollipop, think of the looks i'm gunna get!

The spectator reviewed it:
"Just Shit"

[ecobore @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:40AM]

wow, look at that, it even has a tow ball hitch!

[John Z @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:49AM]

I kinda like the idea. I'd rather it go back to looking utilitarian, though.

[Soop @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:58AM]

Ok, What I'd say this needs (apart from more speed) is 2 springboards at each end with a roller. That would possibly enable you to olly easier (with maybe an extra foothold) which would make it more suitable as a method of transport. I can't think of too many possible tricks though.

[RK4N3 @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:09AM]

Uh... think I will pass on that. The question is... Why would someone want to ride it?

[Patriks7 @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:39PM]

Thats what she said!

[Blastar @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:11AM]

It's ugly.

[Jesse S @ Jan 2nd 2009 11:30AM]

This actually looks worse than the one you linked to from 2007.

[SoreThumb @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:17PM]

The music makes that a LOT More dramatic than it really is.

[gonintendo @ Jan 2nd 2009 1:20PM]

Not music, more like repetitious noises.

[sotec_productions @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:06PM]

I'm not normally this easily turned off by home made gadgetry, but this thing is stupid.

There's inspiration there somewhere, but that design is as pointless as a Segway, only more poorly executed.

[BigD145 @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:09PM]

Next time, come up with something original in your bling job. Why give free advertising to corporate a$$hats?

[Christopera @ Jan 2nd 2009 3:47PM]

Nice use of racing kart parts.

Apparently self balancing devices like these aren't very hard to build. Mostly just the cost of hardware and some medium level programming.

[Bratislava @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:16PM]

Nice !

[Alex MacKinnon @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:17PM]

I have to say this seems quite pointless if it can only do 7mph. My current electric skateboard can do more than double that with far less of a complicated set up.

[siva @ Jan 10th 2009 6:19AM]

This machine is not cute.But any way congrats to the one who designed it.
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