The World's Lightest Electric Vehicle

This is one of those things that's like Google in the sense that it seems to be just an improvement on existing technology, but in fact is enough of an improvement that it's qualitatively different.<p>In all the startups we've funded I don't think I've seen one whose product was so enthusiastically embraced by YC partners. Three bought one of these boards. One says it "changed his life."

This sounds cool, but (IMO) it's actually a bad idea. When I was in my late teens / early twenties, I essentially had a 180HP version of this.<p>It was a lot more expensive back then: $4,000 for the 1984 Chevy Blazer and $0 dollars for an extension cord we found in the garage, but going going fast on a skateboard, no matter what the method, is dangerous.<p>The worst part of this idea is "braking". I can assure you the only good way to brake a skate board at speed is a power slide, which you need to be an expert to do.<p>I've hit sand at speed and, even knowing it was coming, the slight braking power of the sand was enough to throw me. It's difficult to explain, but between knowing how far to lean against the braking force AND managing your balance side to side on the trucks, it ends up being harder to pull off than a good ole power slide.<p>That said, a roller blade version of this would be cool.

I've been building that project over and over since I was 14. My first try was a "Vision Gator" skateboard with a 35watt brushed dc motor and vacuum cleaner belts for drive.<p>It is astonishing (and more than a little awesome) that you can pack 2kw of motor power and so much range into so small a space now. Oh how I wish parts like this had been available in 1989.

Seems like it's illegal to use in California: <a href="http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21968.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21968.htm</a>

Great idea. I'm surprised nobody has done this before (but they probably have, I'm no longer a skateboarder).<p>But I'm wondering about the prices. $10 stickers and $40 t-shirts are still advertising, so people are paying to advertise for your company? That doesn't seem right.<p>In reality, they are really trying to push people to spend $1200 for a board. Even the $1099 pledge is a complete rip-off since you spend $100 less than the pledge that gets you a board, and they only give you a $100 coupon when you buy your first board for full price. That doesn't make sense.<p>A suggestion: create a small batch (5) of $500 or $700 pledges that provide a board. That kicks everyone into gear to get that pledge as soon as possible and fight over the $500 pledge spot.

Sounds cool, but even a 95% efficient 2kW brushless motor would be dissipating 100W of heat. Not easy to dump in a small package. I've never tried building a skateboard but I've built quite a few mobile robots (and a few battlebots). Wish they had a bit more detail on the tech.

Co-founder here. Feel free to ask questions!

Isn't this the same thing? Was launched on kickstarter months ago: <a href="http://www.zboardshop.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.zboardshop.com/</a>

`The last mile of transportation is this huge problem that hasn't been solved yet`<p>Really? I think we've had it solved for at least several million years. Anyone that isn't capable of walking or skating a mile is certainly not going to be served by this. It looks like a cool toy, but I don't think it's going to revolutionize transportation.

I was surprised by 2 kW. I have an electric moped that's 2 kW - and in that class 1.5 kW is more typical. Maybe a burst vs steady state spec

Why is the only woman in the Kickstarter video little more than a prop watching the boys play with their toys?

How many Ah is the battery? It seems extremely small for the quoted 6 mile (@ 20mph?) range.

Looks pretty awesome, but the price tag instantly puts it out of range for a student like myself. Hopefully they attain some level of success such that they can mass manufacture them and bring the price down.<p>I'd love to have one.

I love it but isn't it freaking expensive?

Looks like a great technologic improvement, but not revolutionary at all. A search for "electric skateboard" returns a dozen manufacturers, some with similar specs, most much cheaper - yes, they have that bulge going on but it doesn't change much in terms of feasibility. A skateboard is still not a viable means of daily transportation unless your route consists solely of smooth, untrafficked asphalt and you're a lucky person.<p>Why not sell it by what it is (a very cool electric longboard), instead of making surreal claims about changing the world?

My only concern is the belt driven drivetrain. I used to race R/C cars who used the same time of layout (belts and plastic/aluminum gears), and the belts did not last that long. Given that this board would be pushing a fair amount of weight around, I don't see how it would last over a reasonable time frame. Though I'm just speculating. If anyone can chime in with more data, I'd love to know about it. Maybe the belts are kevlar reinforced? I know there are suppliers making those and they are readily available.

It sounds like it could be dangerous enough to lead to lawsuits. I think there's a reason why electric scooters are much more common than electric skateboards: people can stay on them.

What exactly will/could change between the 1st, 2nd, and final production runs? The board is compelling, and it does fill a spot that I and many students likely have, but unless the price comes down I don't see how this will take off.<p>edit: Also, after these boards do reach final production, do you plan on expanding your tech to other loaded longboards? Never loved the vanguard, but the tan tien is great.

I think I've actually seen these on DIY electric bike boards?<p>I would recommend a direct drive motor though, less parts to break, direct torque.

I can't help but think if you're willing to carry around a long board for your journey, the extra effort in pushing it manually is not much and probably more fun (I can't really judge, having not used the product).<p>If you were really against walking or pushing, then a foldable bike would be a lot more useful, safer and cheaper.

This looks like a fantastic product. But how about a video with at least a minute of uninterrupted actual use? The video is very slick but only a small fraction of its 3 minutes goes to people using it, with no clip longer than 2 or 3 seconds (as far as I can remember).

I went saw the descriptions the pictures and it looks awesome until I saw the price, I'm not saying it's not worth it: I have no idea how much they have invested in R&#38;D/prototyping etc.. but it's too much for me $1000 for an electric board :/ too bad.

This would be really cool if it was rechargeable by use rather than merely plugging it in.

Love the disclaimer, love the realism ++ the idealism. F<i></i>* the danger, let's board.

As I scrolled up to kickstart it myself, I saw the price. Thanks but I can walk.

In the UK all such novel forms of transport have to first shake off the C5 effect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5</a>

I got to ride one of these at Disrupt today. Inside, in a crowd, but still impressive tech. Smooth acceleration. I do ride boards, so I'm not a newbie. Loved it. I want one.

Ok, I have a 5.6 mile commute each way, with 300 feet ascent worst case (just under 100 ft descent). Charging at work is no problem. Is this going to be a good fit?

I have zero balance. If this were a scooter I'd be in.

Maybe the following title would attract more people willing to invest: Electric longboard: 12 lbs, 6 mi range, $1,099

Are batteries quickly replaceable? i.e. If I had a spare battery in my pack, I could change it out and continue on?

Great, empowering more idiots to set out on public thoroughfares and ignore every basic traffic law (stop signs, red lights, for starters; look 'em up if you're not familiar with the concepts) not to mention common sense.<p>Ought to produce a few Darwin Award winners.

Chiseled spam.

Does it do regenerative braking?