California Patent of the Month – May 2022
Future Motion, Inc. (OneWheel) have been pioneering personal digital vehicles for years. While they were established in 2013 the founder spent 8 years before that developing and testing prototypes to achieve the perfect one wheel vehicle.
The company continues to innovate, constantly striving to enhance performance, speed, and comfort. In that spirit, they have recently patented their self-stabilizing skateboard. In this design, the board is made of two deck portions sitting opposite each other, with a wheel in the center. When in use, a user stands with one foot on each deck portion. The deck portions are each equipped with sensors to detect when a user is onboard.
They stand semi-sideways and tilt their forward foot down to move in a forward motion. The wheel is driven by a motor controlled by the tilt. Their design takes advantage of a hub motor to drive the wheel without needing chains or belts while allowing for improved maneuverability, weight distribution, and aesthetics.
The design takes the fun and portability of a traditional skateboard and pairs it with the convenience of a motorized bike – while still providing an environmentally friendly option. This type of engenuity is why OneWheel excels in the business of making the future rad.
Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.
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