RSSHelp make a hoverboard!
Robert wants to hear what our Makers want in a hoverboard, how cool is that? He writes-
I've been developing a Hoverboard since 2001, it is now in its third prototype phase. It lifts 200lbs (90kg) has a hover height of 2.75" (7cm) has a run time of one hour on Lithium Ion batteries. I have potential investors and a budget for a new prototype. I would like to ask your readers for their feedback on the board.
- What size of board?
- Petrol/electric?
- Hover height terrain it should cover, street, off-road, should it go on water?
- How much do you think it should cost?
- Bearing in mind we have yet to find a way to directly repel the forces of gravity...what would you like from a product like this?
- With no technological restrictions...what would you like from a product like this?
- Any other thoughts?
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Nov 3, 2006 08:53 PM
DIY Projects |
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| Comments (21)
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Comments
Oldest comments listed first.
What I emailed:
I think that I'd like a board about the size of either a skateboard, or the size of a small platform- UFO style.
I'd like the board to be electric, as gasoline/petrol is getting more and more expensive (at least in the US), engines are WAY to noisy, and pollution is bad enough as it is.
It should be able to go over mildly rough terrain, like gravel and gentle forsest paths. It should be able to go up and down mildly steep hills, as well. If it was able to go on water, that would be AWESOME.
It shouldn't cost as much as the PLaystatioon 3, that's for sure.
I'd like to be able to amaze my friends, and use it as a reasonably useful mode of transport.
With no restrictions, I'd like it to have a force-field generator, be able to fly above ground and in space, have a built-in supercomputer, have warp drive, AM/FM radio, and phsers and tractor beams, but we can't all get what we want. :)
atomicthumbs
What I emailed:
I think that I'd like a board about the size of either a skateboard, or the size of a small platform- UFO style.
I'd like the board to be electric, as gasoline/petrol is getting more and more expensive (at least in the US), engines are WAY to noisy, and pollution is bad enough as it is.
It should be able to go over mildly rough terrain, like gravel and gentle forsest paths. It should be able to go up and down mildly steep hills, as well. If it was able to go on water, that would be AWESOME.
It shouldn't cost as much as the PLaystatioon 3, that's for sure.
I'd like to be able to amaze my friends, and use it as a reasonably useful mode of transport.
With no restrictions, I'd like it to have a force-field generator, be able to fly above ground and in space, have a built-in supercomputer, have warp drive, AM/FM radio, and phsers and tractor beams, but we can't all get what we want. :)
atomicthumbs
yeah, email comments, right.
you'll get them here and like it.I'd say 4' long, 18-24" wide.
Electric because I don't like the sounds of a gas engine behind me.
Should be able to clear from street to sidewalk, over the curb.
I wouldn't pay more than $350 for one.
It should weigh less than 40 lbs, 200 is a bit overkill.
Optimally it would have small wheel or two at one end, and a handle at the other to move it around when unpowered.
Folding body would be nice, reverse suction on the skirt to vacuum pack it tight against the body, then have a locking hinge in the middle of the body to fold it over, so you can stick it in the trunk of a car.
It's got to go over grass and water. It's got to be electric. It's got to clear obstacles of at least 3". It's got to not eat my hands, feet, head, or hair (let's just say it's not allowed to eat ANY body parts) when I wipe out and it lands on me. It's got to be able to survive moderate jumps like a snowboard and be almost as portable. It can't cost more than twice the price of a good snow, skate, or surfboard. Good luck with that, let me know when it's done. K? Thanks.
looking good... i suppose the extra thrust could be useful in a "sport" model.
This thing should have one essential thing, the ability to adjust thrust in case of a fall or jump, oh, and it should be kinda like a kite surf, if you see what i mean...
The skirt will, in all probability, eventually wear out. So it should be easy for anyone with common household tools to replace, without it taking all afternoon, and without having to pay an arm and a leg.
Of course, that's assuming that even use a skirt to begin with.
Assuming it defintely uses a skirt (otherwise would be a personnel helicopter, not a hover-device)...
You'd need some way to keep the front of the board pointing forward. Skate board wheels are directional. A rudder-less hover board is not. Think about yaw (rotation control, nose point to left/right), and traverse (straffing left/right without nose rotation. If these problems aren't solved, I don't see how this could be sold as a fun/toy unit. This is basically a glorified skateboard/snowboard that hovers.
Traversing over water shouldn't be difficult to design. But without sufficient inertia, stopping mid-way in the pond would be rather embarrasing. (Think "Back to the Future".)
Hover's lift power (ground effect) is probably unable to keep the craft afloat during a ramp jump landing, considering the downward momentum that is build up just before landing. So you may think about off-road type wheels inside the skirt to sustain the initial landing impact before regaining hover.
Desireable feasures:
Battery swap.
Plug-in charging at home/office/school/etc.
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