- Segway or how it all began
- Giroskuter
- Giroboard
- Monowheel
- Now we electrify everything - electric bicycles, scooters and bikes
- What's next
It is unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that technology is changing our daily lives. New technologies are emerging, and with them we get new opportunities. We buy a gadget and it allows you to solve everyday tasks. Various high-tech devices surround us everywhere - smartphones, tablets, computers. They made a real information revolution. But innovation comes in the field of movement. Manufacturers already offer us what can be called personal transport gadgets - hoverboards and gyroboards, segways and monowheels, and many other devices driven by electric motors. The devices are silent and comfortable, do not consume fuel and are rechargeable from a home outlet.
Will they make a transport revolution? This is a matter of the near future. But about whether they can specifically change your life, you should think right now. To do this, we have collected the most popular types of personal electric vehicles and tell you about them.
Segway or how it all began
The history of personal gyrotransport begins with the Segway. In 2001, the inventor and founder of Segway Inc, Dean Kamen, introduced the device to the world, something resembling an antique chariot, but only without horses. However, mentally they were implied, and even two. Two compact electric motors that set the wheels in motion had a power of just two horsepower.
Segway x2 SE
So, segway is an electric two-wheeled vehicle that allows you to move while standing. Outwardly, these are two wheels, a platform and a steering wheel. Two electric motors are hidden inside the case - each has its own wheel, batteries, gyroscopic and liquid tilt sensors, as well as smart electronics. Segway is controlled on an intuitive level by moving the center of gravity of the rider (moving forward and backward, stopping, and adjusting the speed) and using the steering wheel (turns).
To start the movement you need to tilt the body forward. Increasing the slope will increase the speed. Leaning back will slow you down or stop. In the first version of the Segway, the turns were carried out with the help of a rotary knob, in modern models the tilt of the steering column is to the right and left.
A feature of Segway, compared with other vehicles that ever existed before him, is the ability for automatic self-balancing, due to the gyroscopic (and therefore gyrotransport) sensors, electronics and engines that align the device so that it does not tip over.
The Segway i2 SE now being produced has a weight of 47.3 kg and reaches a speed of up to 20 km / h. The range is 38 km. Maximum user weight, including transported cargo - 117 kg. Off-road Segway x2 SE weighs more - 54.3 kg, and has a shorter range - 19 kilometers in rough terrain and 32 kilometers on a flat road.
Dean Kamen described the segways as “a cross between slippers and a bicycle” and was sure that his invention would soon make a transport revolution. But this did not happen. Perhaps because of the high price - the cost of a segway can be compared with the cost of a small car. Perhaps because the authorities of many countries have not decided on the legislative regulation of this type of transport, it can be dangerous for pedestrians, and it is not safe for owners to drive on the roadway. And maybe because it is necessary to get used to such transport.
But the idea itself lives. Segway was the first, and after him other personal electric vehicles appeared. The very same company Segway Inc was bought by the Chinese manufacturer of personal e-transport Ninebot Inc (owned by the omnipresent Xiaomi), currently, perhaps, the leading manufacturer of electric personal transport.
Giroskuter
Actually, in an environment where manufacturers and sellers have not figured out the exact wording, the Segway can also be called a hoverboard. Just great. Therefore, sometimes devices that look like Segway are called mini-segways, but more often they are gyroscooters.
Ninebot Elite and Segway i2 SE
Now Segway products are being developed mainly by the corporate segment, it is used by postal workers, tour guides, and patrol police. Various companies buy segways for movement inside warehouse and production premises. Widespread rental of segveev in rental. Consumers more often buy exactly mini-segways - gyroscooters.
The main manufacturers of gyroscooters, whose devices are widely represented on the market, are the already mentioned company Ninebot, as well as InMotion and Airwheel. Naturally all companies from China.
Hoverboards may have some differences from the classic Segway we are used to. For example, in mini-Segways from InMotion, the wheels are smaller and are located under the platform on which the user is located. As a result, the width of the device has become less, which means you can drive through any doorway, which you usually cannot do not only on the Segway, but also on the more compact Ninebot.
InMotion R1EX
InMotion R1EX is one of the most popular hoverboards on the market. The weight of the device is 16 kilograms. The maximum speed of 15 km / h. Power reserve of 35 km. For transportation the device can be disassembled and it will easily fit in the trunk.
Electric scooters from Ninebot are presented both in the classic version with a rotary column - the wheel, and with a column that is controlled by the knees.
Ninebot Mini
Gyroskuter Ninebot Mini has a small weight of only 12.8 kilograms. The range of 22 km. The maximum possible speed is 16 km / h. With the help of the application for the phone Ninebot Mini, you can control and remotely control it, turning it into a real radio-controlled model.
His elder brother Ninebot Elite has more weight - 23.5 kg, and, accordingly, a greater distance of movement - 30 km. The maximum speed of this device is 20 km / h.
Like cars, gyroscooters have alarms, LED lights are also available, speakers that allow you to play music from your phone and give warning signals. Almost all manufacturers allow you to control the transport gadget using a smartphone.
Giroboard
And now we remove the steering column from the design, and we get a gyroboard. Again, this gadget is also called a hoverboard, and also a hoverboard or smartway. And even a two-wheeled gyrocycle. The very same inventor of the device - Shane Chen (Shane Chen) who created and patented it in 2012, called his brainchild Hovertrax.
Hovertrax
True, this patent did not bring him money. In China, about 11,000 enterprises make gyro boards, over a billion devices have been collected, but the inventor does not get anything from this. At the same time, the company of Chen, according to the inventor, collected only a few thousand pieces of such devices.
Giroboard consists of two parts, each of which consists of a wheel and a platform for the legs. Both parts are tilted independently of each other. Each wheel has its own electric motor, battery, gyro sensor and accelerometer. Control is done by the movement of the feet. The simultaneous tilt allows you to move back and forth, the tilt of only one platform allows for turning.
Like the "older" brothers, you can charge the gadget from a normal household outlet. Charging a battery of such devices, on average, takes one and a half to two hours, which provides a power reserve of up to 20 kilometers.
Since there are a lot of manufacturers of gyroboards, and the devices as a whole copy each other, it is difficult to single out one person. The main differences in the diameter of the wheels and the weight of the devices - the gyroboard on 6 inch wheels weighs usually 11 kg, on 10 inch - 13.5 kg. The maximum speed varies from 12 to 16 km / h.
Monowheel
Everything perfect, as they say, is simple. And this applies to gyrotransport too. What could be easier wheels? Exactly. The next type of portable e-transport is the monowheel. It is a gyro cycle. The creator of the first monocolice, Shane Chen, already familiar to us, is also the head and founder of Inventist, which manufactures gyroboards, monocolos, and other innovative modes of transport that allow you to move both on land and on water. The company even produces modified sails.
Ninebot One-E +
Arranged device is nowhere easier. Inside the case there is a wheel, outside there is a carrying handle and folding steps. The motor and sensors are located inside the wheel itself. The battery and electronics are housed in the case. The case itself is made of durable plastic to withstand all the blows of fate that are ahead of it. And such devices sometimes have to fall and hit, especially at the training stage of the owner.
As well as in gyroscooters and gyroboards, the control is carried out by moving the center of gravity. When you stop you need to lean on the leg.
Despite the simplicity of the concept, manufacturers tend to supplement their devices with something special. So Ninebot One-E + allows you to mount additional small wheels on the side steps, which makes learning faster and safer. One-E + is the flagship model of Ninebot. The device allows it to reach speeds of up to 22 km / h, the range is 35 kilometers. The weight of the device is 14 kilograms.
Inmotion V3 Pro
But the Inmotion V3 Pro, the mono-wheel which can also be found on sale, is actually a two-wheeled. Yes, that's right, for greater stability, it is equipped with two twin 14-inch wheels. Device weight - 13.5 kg. Maximum speed - 18 km / h. The range of up to 20 kilometers.
Models from leading manufacturers provide recuperative return of energy spent during the ride. When descending from the slide, the wheel recharges the batteries, which accordingly increases the driving distance.
Sometimes the wheel owner has to not only move around on it, but also wear it. Manufacturers have taken care of this. In modern monocycles, a retractable handle is provided, similar to those of suitcases and travel bags. Now you don’t need to carry it in your hands, but you can just roll it like a travel bag.
Inmotion monowheel with raised handle
Now we electrify everything - electric bicycles, scooters and bikes
If it is possible to create new types of electric vehicles, then why not turn the bikes and scooters already familiar to us with electric ones. As a result, the transport will be healthy and quite convenient. Riding an electric bike you can pedal until you get tired. And then go only on the electric. Adjust the power of the electric motor allows the throttle.
Electric bike WBLDDC Campione
The electric bike has an advantage, both over conventional bikes and over mopeds and motorcycles. Unlike the latter, it can be safely kept in the apartment, it does not smell of gasoline and oil does not flow from it. There is no need to register it and get rights. At the same time, electric bikes have good speed characteristics for this type of transport, for some models it is up to 60 km / h.
From the models presented on the market, one can pay attention to the electric bikes of the brands Like.Bike and WBLDDC. For example, the WBLDDC Campione electric bike is a great solution for those who prefer to go where the roads end.
Electro Scooter InMotion L6
Become electric and scooters. They are lighter than electric bikes and more compact. Moreover, almost all folding scooters. Of course, you will have to drive while standing, but this inconvenience should be eliminated by purchasing a model with a removable or folding seat. Nowadays, scooters from the already mentioned manufacturer of gyroscooters and InMotion monowheels, and E-Twow and Like.Bike are widely represented on the market.
But the creators of Like.Bike SEEV decided not to limit themselves to the framework of established concepts, their offspring are at the same time a scooter, a scooter, and even a motorcycle. In a word, this is an electric minibike.
And although the imagination of engineers was not limited by anything, the device turned out to be minimalist. The concept is based on both convenience and style at the same time. There is nothing superfluous in it.
Like.Bike SEEV
Electric bike weight - 55 kilograms. Maximum speed - 35 km / h. There are 2 Extreme Le driving modes, it provides a maximum mileage of 80 km at speeds up to 5 km / h, and Sport - mileage 25 km, at speeds up to 35 km / h. You can ride it both sitting and standing, and if you wish, you can also help with your foot.
In addition, Like.Bike SEEV is equipped with an on-board computer. But since the minimalist design does not provide for any displays, all the information about the motion parameters can be obtained through the phone. The application for iOS and Android operating systems allows you to control the power of the electric bike from a smartphone, and thereby adjust the maximum mileage.
What's next
Well, first of all, we are definitely waiting for new types of personal transport, light in weight and convenient to operate. Compact and intelligent. Such that can be used every day and in all conditions. Manufacturers are constantly coming up with something new and it's hard to say what else they will come up with.
It is quite logical the appearance of the gadget in which each leg will have on its wheel with an electric motor. However, this gadget is already there, it is called Orbitwheel. And again, behind him is the tireless Shane Chen. Orbitwheel is a cross between a skateboard and a pair of roller skates. The idea has not yet received such distribution as the other inventions of Chen. Whether Orbitwheel becomes a device for every day or remains only a toy, time will tell. Perhaps not everyone will enjoy riding sideways every day.
Orbitwheel
Secondly, more and more people will use personal electric transport and this will entail a change in the urban infrastructure. There will be roads from which transport gadgets can be recharged while driving. This will allow you to travel long distances with less battery capacity. Similar projects, but for electric vehicles, are already being developed in some countries, why not extend the idea to portable vehicles.
Existing devices will be upgraded by manufacturers, they will become lighter and longer-range. In something repeating the path of the car, they will acquire DVRs to record everything that is happening on the road. GPS trackers will not be redundant, you will always know where your device is located, which is especially important if it is stolen.
Devices are becoming “smarter” and if already now hockey jackets can move without a rider, obeying commands from a mobile phone, then tomorrow they may well move around the city, where you say, that is, they will become unmanned. For example, when returning from a trip, you can send a team to your personal transport device to meet you at the train station. By the arrival of the train, he will roll on the platform.
And finally, at the recently held CES 2016 Segway, Xiaomi and Intel demonstrated a robot on the platform Ninebot. In fact, the same hoverboard, only supplemented by hands and a display on which a friendly face is displayed. The robot from Segway can move independently, and if there is a desire, you can ride on it.
Photo: theverge.com
Will they make a transport revolution?What could be easier wheels?