When you are flying down the city sidewalk breezing by folks walked to and from work, have you ever asked yourself: how does a hoverboard work? We wanted to give you insight into the rad technology underneath. After all, it’s just science!
What’s are the parts inside?
There are quite a few parts below the surface that dictate how a hoverboard works. From sensor technology to the main motherboard, there is a lot to uncover—quite literally. According to Quora, this is a comprehensive list of key parts:
1. Steel frame with a central pivot device
2. Plastic outer shell for containment and protection
3. Logic board (the main printed circuit board, or motherboard)
4. (2) Gyroscopes
5. (2) Infrared sensors (one for each foot)
6. (2) Electric motors (one for each foot situated inside each wheel)
7. (2) Tilt/speed sensors (one for each foot situated inside each wheel)
8. Pressure pads with (2) switches on each, one up front and one in the back
9. LED lights
10. Charging port
11. Battery pack
12. Power switch
The technology used for detecting movement
So now that you know the parts of a hoverboard, how do these ingredients work together to send you flying from here to there? There is sophisticated, built-in technology to slow you down when your weight travels backwards, and speed you up when your body leans forwards. The gyroscopes and tilt/speed sensors are the magician team that cause all of this to occur.
Additionally, tilt and speed sensors work with the gyroscope to help read the rider’s weight distribution signals and translate them into real time. The gyroscope establishes your base center of gravity and will relate your movements from there. Meanwhile the speed controls communicate with the sensors inside of the wheels to send your tilting actions to the main logic board.
The pressure pads also play a huge part in detecting your movements and making them happen. Each side of the board has a pressure pad with (2) switches, one up front and one in the back. These switches cleverly detect your weight distribution and goes from there. It will facilitate the turning mechanism when the turning side foot presses the forward switch and the opposite foot triggers the back switch. The folks at LiveScience.com have some great analogies to help you picture this technology in action.
Who’s manning the control center?
The motherboard, or main logic board, is where all the processing happens. Think of this as the miniature computer inside of your self balancing scooter. The feedback from the gyroscope and speed controls is understood within the logic board which can identify acceleration, deceleration, and turning. It understands the relationship between the sides within each pedal, wheel, and how sensors separate and combine the movements of each foot to keep you balanced and upright.
The logic board is also responsible for all of the different user modes available on your hoverboard. It provides the cushioning in learning mode that caps your top speeds, and removes the newbie handicap when you’re ready to take off the training wheels.
Put the balance in self balance
Gravity is the key factor here. Our center of gravity is what balances us when we are standing, walking, jumping, etc. Within the hoverboard, the gyroscopes and tilt sensors work together to maintain your center of gravity based on your weight distribution. All of the actions from your feet will communicate with the motherboard to help you stay balanced by speeding up or slowing down to main your center of gravity so that you don’t eat it on your ride. According to TheElectricRider.com, the technology that results in self balancing is what really makes these hoverboards so marvelous indeed.
Built-in batteries included
The battery pack is essentially the gasoline of your hoverboard, without the stinky emissions. The battery works with the motherboard to power your ride. Most hoverboards use a lithium ion battery with battery lives varying across a several hour span. The length of battery power definitely depends on what brand you have and how you use your self balancing scooter. Charging ports are built into the hoverboard itself and can easily be refueled overnight so you have a full tank in the morning.
Where to buy
Now you know the parts of a hoverboard, how it works, and what technology powers it through the day. If you are looking for a variety of hoverboards that can accommodate your adventurous lifestyle, visit the Swagtron website. From offroading capabilities to built-in Bluetooth speaker soundtracks, we have something for every ride.
