151–160 of 174 posts
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."
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> Faster than walking, biking, or driving. Is it really faster than biking? How? I imagine braking on this thing is not as good as on bike--harder to control stability, also smaller surface contact area. If you cannot stop fast, you cannot afford to go fast... On a bike I can usually blend into city traffic, draft large vehicles, weave through traffic jams, or hop on to sidewalk. Doing the same with longboard would r…
Yes, it's really faster than biking. I average 12mph on the boosted board. I know because I use a GPS app on my iphone to monitor my rides. This is unfortunately necessary because my prototype board does not have a battery gauge, so I need some idea of how much battery I have left. I also weave through traffic. I don't know how to evaluate whether it's more or less safe than doing the same thing on a bike or motorcyc…
As for comparing safety, one could 1) compare time to stop with different brake types, on different surfaces, in a straight, in a corner 2) gather statistics on traffic accidents and injuries
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."
At 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 t…
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I 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
Curiously 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
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I 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
Curiously 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
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."
At 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 t…
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They are using off-the-shelf brushless motor controllers (from what I can gather) and off-the-shelf brushless motors. There are many makers of ESCs with your requirements including from the now-ubiquitous HobbyKing, both sensored and sensorless (for RC car applications) including this one: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__17234__Hobby_King... which will do variable engine braking as well.
Our motor control ESCs, remote control electronics, battery management systems, and software are entirely custom. Off-the-shelf RC parts aren't smooth, reliable, safe, or quiet enough.
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Dude. It's a skateboard. You don't park it, you just carry it under your arm. Pretend it's an oversize umbrella or something :)
Have 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.]
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. 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. The worst part of this idea is "braking". I can assure you the on…
Great idea. I'm surprised nobody has done this before (but they probably have, I'm no longer a skateboarder). 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. 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 l…
The pricing seems like a complete rip-off, to be honest. $10 for a sticker? $40 for a t-shirt? $1000 for a skateboard? For comparison, you can buy a top-of-the-line longboard for $200, full kit. An essentially equivalent product [1] is selling for $500 a pop, half the price. That's more in line with what I'd pay for a luxury product like this. Also, I'm not sure how comfortable this would actually be to carry around.…
$10 for a sticker? $40 for a t-shirt? $1000 for a skateboard?A premium is, basically by definition, worth much less than your donation. Giving a premium with a $100 cash value for a $100 donation would not be a good way to raise money. ;)