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Gizmodo: "Powered skateboards have been around… (but this) could be the first to actually pull it off”
Gizmag:"Simple, lean-and-go interface”
GearHungry: "Yep, the future is now”
Discovery Channel: "Holy Krakatoa! I love it!" - Ziya Tong, Daily Planet
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "Best of Show, CES 2012"
Coolism.TV: "Purely Awesome"
Hey Kickstarters! Thanks for checking out our project!
What do you do when you've got to go somewhere that is too far to walk but too close to drive? Many might say to "ride a bike" or "take a skateboard,” but bikes can be inconvenient and skateboards can be difficult to learn. Our project gives you a better option: the ZBoard! It’s faster and easier to ride than a skateboard, and more portable and fun than a bike.
What is the ZBoard?
The ZBoard is the world's first weight-sensing electric skateboard. Simply lean forward to go and lean back to stop. It's that easy!
How does the ZBoard work?
The ZBoard's deck includes front and rear foot pads. Each foot pad senses how much force you apply and analyzes this information with an onboard computer linked to an electric motor.
Leaning on the front foot pad causes the ZBoard to speed up. Leaning on the back foot pad causes the ZBoard to kick in regenerative braking. These aren’t just on/off buttons, though. They are completely variable, meaning the harder you lean forward the faster you go, and the harder you lean back the faster you come to a stop, even on a downhill slope! You can cruise at a walking pace, or zoom all the way up to a top speed of around 17 miles per hour.
When you have no weight on either footpad, the ZBoard will coast to a gentle stop in a similar fashion to a traditional skateboard.
What features does the ZBoard have?
The ZBoard includes off-road wheels and features an integrated, reinforced handle for convenient carrying, or to lock up if you can’t take it in with you. Every ZBoard ships with a charger that plugs into any standard 110V wall outlet to recharge in about 5 hours (220V chargers for European customers are also available).
What Models Do You Offer?
We offer two ZBoards - the ZBoard Classic and the ZBoard Pro. See the Specs below and on our website.
The ZBoard Pro, equipped with a Lithium-Ion battery, is the fastest (17mph top speed), longest running (10 mile range/charge), and lightest weight (30 lbs) product we sell.
For more, see the specifications page on our website.
How will funding be used?
We've dedicated more than 3 years to the development of the ZBoard, and with your help we can make the final push to turn it into a reality! Funds will go directly towards purchasing of components and setting up our in-house manufacturing and quality control process in California. Additional funds will all go toward essential expenses and development of breakthrough new features and accessories for your ZBoard.
When will the ZBoard ship?
We anticipate the first ZBoards ordered through Kickstarter will ship out as early as April.
Other Questions: Please see below or our FAQ page.
Team:
Ben Forman is a mechanical engineer based in Hermosa Beach, California. Ben has merged his mechatronics and robotics training at the University Southern California with his love of skateboarding in the three year development of the ZBoard.
Geoff Larson is a mechanical engineer from Sacramento, California. Geoff has brought his training in Computer Aided Design and his background in business to bringing the ZBoard from concept to reality.
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Funding period
- (40 days)