Do you know how do hoverboards work? Well, hoverboards do not actually hover in the way that their name suggests. In fact, hoverboards move in a way that makes using them pretty easy and akin to hovering around.
You can also find these devices being officially called a self balancing scooter, however, since the name hoverboard has stuck, this is how we will be referring to them here.
These devices move on 2 wheels and they have been gaining popularity since about 2015 when they were released.
For a quick answer on how do hoverboards work, they use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which is controlled by the leaning of the rider.
The board uses sensors and pressure pads to help catch the weight of the rider and ensure that they will not fall if they are balanced properly.
Knowing how to use a hoverboard (see also: How To Use A Hoverboard) can be tricky and they do take some getting used to, however, understanding how do hoverboards work will make working with them significantly easier.
So, throughout this guide we will be going into more detail on how hoverboards work, and how you should ride them.
While this guide on how do hoverboards work is not exhaustive, we go over all the main information that you need to know so you will have the best experience riding your hoverboard (see also: How To Ride Hoverboard) possible.
If you are a parent whose child has a hoverboard, this article can also aid with getting a better understanding of your child’s hoverboard too!
What Are Hoverboards Made Of?
Part of understanding how hoverboards work is understanding what your hoverboard is made from.
Your hoverboard is made from sensors that work with components which aid in movement, balancing, and overall function. Let’s go through the main components.
The main part of your hoverboard which aids its function is the gyroscope. This adjusts your platform tilt which aids in balancing the rider.
This function is so important that hoverboards are sometimes named after this piece being called gyro scooter occasionally.
There is also the microprocessor which regulates all the power which goes to the wheels, as well as the aforementioned lithium-ion battery which stores the charge of the hoverboard giving it about 8 miles of battery with a full charge, however this depends.
There is of course the motor as well, this receives the information from your logic board and then uses this to power the wheels.
A hoverboard also uses IR sensors which measure the presence of an object which is useful in a hoverboard.
You also have the tilt and the speed sensors which help keep track of the wheels and the gyroscope.
The aforementioned logic board processes the data from all of the sensors and then gives this information to the motor and other components that need it.
There are plenty of other components of your hoverboard as well, like the pressure pads where the rider places their feet, the 2 wheels of the hoverboard, as well as the power switch and the charging port.
All of these pieces work together to get you a functional hoverboard!
How Do Hoverboards Work?
So, if you now understand what the components in your hoverboard do, understanding the next step of how they work to make the hoverboard move is actually not too tricky!
Each of the wheels in a hoverboard has its own gyroscope, as well as a speed and a tilt sensor.
So, when you ride your hoverboard, you will be tilting your balance back or forward, then the logic board will dictate which way the wheels should move using these sensors.
The logic board controls the motor which will then rotate the wheels moving you.
If you want to understand how the stopping on a hoverboard works, this is more to do with a combination of the IR sensors and the pressure pads.
These will send data to your logic board when you are no longer tilting and will then tell the logic boards to not send any more power to the motors that are moving the wheels.
If you move just the right leg ahead, then only the right wheel moves, and if you just move the left leg, then the left wheel moves, this is how you turn and spin when riding a hoverboard!
Hoverboards Legality
It is worth noting that the specific legality of hoverboards is different all over the world, and even in different parts of the US.
Very few areas have outlawed hoverboards. However, some states have more specific requirements and regulations on how they should be ridden.
In spite of this, only New York and California have specific rules on hoverboards.
In New York, there are the strictest laws that ban them from all public spaces, and in California, there are regulations on the age of use, as well as speed limits and location restrictions!
Around the world, of course not everywhere regulates the use of hoverboards, but some countries or areas do have areas where there are restrictions on how you should use hoverboards.
These include England, Wales, Scotland, Mecca, Australia, Toronto, Hong Kong, Netherlands, and Germany.
Hoverboard Safety
If you know how to use your hoverboard they are very safe devices and not dangerous to use at all.
However, you want to remember some safety precautions when riding.
Make sure you are wearing appropriate protective gear for the speed and distance you plan to travel, also you do not want any young children using them, and ensure that the battery quality is high enough otherwise incidents have happened with poor quality batteries, especially with old or preowned hoverboards!
Summary
Hopefully this guide on how do hoverboards work has given you all the information you wanted about how hoverboards work.
Knowing how they work is a great way to get better at using the hoverboard since once you understand the deeper impact of your controls, you will be able to use them better and get improved results!
While not all the ins and outs of how a hoverboard works will aid in being better at using it, if you know what to look out for, you will have a better time riding one!
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
