18 ms·
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 improvem
by pg 14y ago
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.
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."
- Datonomics 14y agoI wonder if applying this technology to something like this: http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/2572648/Kick_Scooter.html http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/2572648/Kick_Scooter.html would lower the perceived learning curve and greatly expand their potential market?
- twoodfin 14y agoAre they street-legal in Cambridge?
- dhugiaskmak 14y agoOne says it "changed his life." I would genuinely like to hear more about this.
- agscala 14y agoDitto. This is the kind of claim that, if explained appropriately, may convince me (and others) to buy one despite the price point.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- aaroniba 14y agoI said that. I realized my world was divided into: places I could walk to, places I could bike to, and places I could drive to. Where I live (downtown Palo Alto), driving is a hassle because of traffic and parking. Driving is annoying, boring, frustrating, life-wasting... basically I hate driving and use it only as a last resort. Walking is great, but it's slow. It's really time-consuming to walk anywhere beyond a few blocks. Biking is pretty fast, but still a bit of a hassle because I have to bring a heavy U-lock and worry about my bike. "Where is my bike and is it OK?" is always in the back of my head, which makes it harder to enjoy whatever I'm doing. Also biking doesn't leave any hands free to carry things. Now I have a Boosted Board with a 6-mile range. For any trip under 3 miles, it is: * Faster than walking, biking, or driving. * More fun. * No extra hassle, nothing to worry about. * Leaves 2 hands free to carry stuff like groceries. So it's opened up this whole 3 mile radius of things around me that I previously wouldn't go to. Now these places feel like they're at my fingertips. It feels like my world got smaller.
- pfedor 14y agoIs it safe?
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- arohner 14y ago> "Where is my bike and is it OK?" How does the skateboard avoid this? Where do you park it when you go to a restaurant or something?
- wukkuan 14y agoI've seen a good number of people bringing longboards into coffee shops and places like that. I'd imagine it would be harder to bring it into a fancier establishment, though.
- Tloewald 14y agoNorms may change ;-)
- nikatwork 14y agoDude. It's a skateboard. You don't park it, you just carry it under your arm. Pretend it's an oversize umbrella or something :)
- dchichkov 14y agoHave you actually tried carrying a motorized longboard? I did. They ARE bulky. That's what actually stopping me from riding a board to do my groceries. And I wouldn't even consider riding it to the office. But, who knows, maybe these guys will be able to make a board that is not ridiculously bulky. [Make a lighter 10 lbs version, with 5 miles range, and I'm yours. Even for 1k.]
- 14y ago
- jonnycowboy 14y agoAt a 1,000$ pricepoint I'm not so sure it will be good enough for the masses, especially for such a standard powered longboard setup. Longboards can be found for 100$, add two 50$ brushless motors, a belt-drive setup and a controller, I don't think they can justify that profit margin. I'd expect that with a BMW StreetCarver truck setup, it would be a much easier sell (in fact I would probably buy one). With regards to the product design, I think you'll find the unsupported belt pulley to cause motor failure in normal use (these type of brushless motors are not designed for sideloading, even with dual ball bearings).
- pg 14y agoLike all technology it will get cheaper. Even now it seems empirically to be a good deal if you can afford it, judging from the reactions of the three YC partners that bought one.
- jonnycowboy 14y agoI'd like to add, I love the controller design. That alone must be worth a couple of hundred ;) Does it use bluetooth? I hope it is not a standard RC transmitter because they can get jammed fairly easily (leading to injury and death, etc etc) even on the new(ish) frequency-hopping 2.4Ghz models. PS. are you hiring ? ;)
- eurleif 14y ago>they can get jammed fairly easily (leading to injury and death, etc etc) Wouldn't a failsafe that activated the brakes if contact with the remote were lost pretty much avoid any serious problems? I don't think getting rear-ended should be much of a concern, since the maximum speed is 20 MPH, and cars will (hopefully) be careful behind someone on a skateboard in general.
- andrewjshults 14y agoSudden deceleration (or acceleration) is probably the last thing you want if the remote disconnects. I'd guess some audible alarm letting you know the remote is no longer functioning + disconnecting the drive system (motors and brakes) so it functions as a regular skateboard would be the safest way to handle that issue.
- FrojoS 14y agoI remember you wrote in an essay, that the Segway 'failed' because it makes people look lazy, like a 'smug', when they ride it and that changing the position to skateboard style might be the only change required. [1] Well, its not a Segway yet, but seem like we're getting there. But maybe this is the optimum already. edit: found it [1] http://www.paulgraham.com/segway.html http://www.paulgraham.com/segway.html
- pg 14y agoCuriously enough there was another startup this batch that did the converse: used Segway-like balancing technology in what will probably turn out to be a better way: http://doublerobotics.com http://doublerobotics.com
- aggie 14y agoIt seems a dedicated, remote, wheeled iPad, especially like in the gallery example, should take advantage of an external camera with optical zoom. The iPad camera is good for what it is, but the physical dimension constraints don't seem to apply if it's already mounted to a 5-foot robot. Otherwise, that's really cool.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- poub 14y agoAnother example of balancing technology : http://rynomotors.com/ http://rynomotors.com/
- test450 14y agoThat still looks lame. OTOH, recently saw this segway tech in downtown Chicago and dude looked like he was from the future. http://solowheel.com/ http://solowheel.com/
- skdoo 14y agoWe actually found that essay after working on this project for almost a year, and I believe after applying to YC. The parallels are undeniable, though.
- IanDrake 14y agoPaul, any chance we can see a video of you riding one? :)
- DaniFong 14y agoIt looks pretty awesome.
- adrianhoward 14y agoThis is a dumb question - but they be illegal to ride powered on public roads/sidewalks in the US? They'd certainly be illegal in the UK... which somewhat reduces the possibility of fun things.
- mmcnickle 14y agoIt might be pertinent to add that Booster Boards are a YC company.
- JoeAltmaier 14y agoI can see its a life-changer. Among the skateboarding crowd. I just think its a smaller demographic than they'd hoped.