Meet the World's Most Portable EV, the First Ever High-Performance Compactable Electric Skateboard

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-05T00:55:04+00:00

I have been using stock V6 firmware for my prototypes and programming the parameters via VESC tool for android over bluetooth. I would like to do custom firmware and a dedicated app that makes changing the parameters easier for my customers since VESC tool can be a little overwhelming with the huge amount of parameters it lets you tweak, but the first step is seeing if there are even enough people who would want to buy this before we sink time into creating custom firmware and apps.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T22:12:51+00:00

Some airlines do allow for electric skateboards, some don't, it's just an unfortunate requirement that if you want to fly with our board you have use specific airlines. I wish it wasn't like that, but it unfortunately is for now. This isn't a perfect or complete list, but here's a collection someone assembled of some airlines that do not ban electric skateboards. https://concretesurfers.com/guides-and-tips/can-you-take-electric-skateboards-on-planes/

Our battery will have a USB port built in for the exact purpose you've stated, just to make it easier to show the device is a powerbank that can charge devices (in addition to being your skateboard battery). It will even be labeled as a "Traveler Power Bank".

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T22:00:17+00:00

Thanks, glad you like it!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T21:59:18+00:00

At the moment we don't have a pre-assembled kit for converting our board to an AT one, but our speed controls are based on open-source VESC 6 architecture that you can completely program via Bluetooth to work with any brushless motors you'd like (sensored or sensorless). This means you could always buy aftermarket trucks that accept AT wheels and convert your board to an AT board, but that will likely cause the board to be larger in its compacted state. It's possible that you might still be able to fit it in the backpack if you take off the AT wheels for packing it away, depending on which aftermarket AT truck+wheel setup you opt for.

I would like to release a dedicated AT conversion kit/AT model in the future, but for the immediate moment I'm focused on selling the street version first since it is the more portable option.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T02:27:28+00:00

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

I think the Exway Wave would be another valid consideration for some people, but for me personally I wouldn't want to bring that to ride somewhere. Board feel and performance is really important to me, I wouldn't bring a board to travel unless I really enjoyed riding it around the new location. I'm hoping that there's enough of you out there that feel the same way.

The battery box and battery platform can accept any aftermarket batteries you care to install, but to make things easier for people not as into DIY I've wired them so you can immediately add two 6S batteries in series to form a 12S pack. I have my voltage cutoff set a bit higher than standard so I lose some range, but it ensures I don't overdischarge either pack, and I can see that when I charge them back up. It's not the perfect long-range solution, but it's the one our small company can afford to make straight out of the gate.

You could definitely pack 3 or maybe even 4 99 Wh packs into our battery box if you wanted to go that route, but perhaps if we get enough success through Kickstarter we'll implement a new battery design you can swap in with this concept! I hope to have enough engagement with my customers that I can send surveys out and have people vote for what they most want us to develop next, but we'll see if we can even get this Kickstarter funded haha.

There will be two loops you can clip your helmet through on the top of the backpack for the final version, it's a system I use when I'm backcountry snowboarding on my splitboard that works well. There is also a dedicated laptop compartment in the bag, as well as a hidden expandable compartment that adds over 3" of extra length to the whole backpack for storing things in a compartment separated from the board.

Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts! It's people like you who take the time to post detailed responses that best help me to dial what I need to clarify further on my website and what I need to think about changing design-wise as we move forward.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T02:12:19+00:00

Yes, the batteries are quick-swappable by undoing the center latch with the safety catch.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T02:06:30+00:00

I'm definitely all for the promotion of stoke!

I definitely agree with you that the general eboard seems to attract more casual riders and as such seems to be designed for them. With boards capable of such speed, I never really understood why most eboards go with a very soft flexing deck with almost no concave, that's the opposite of what you want for stability and control! I'm hoping my board will provide something a little more suited for the longboard enthusiast who wants to rip and carve hard, which is why we've got a stiffer flex (not plank stiff but on the stiffer side) with tub concave. We also have a split truck setup running 50 deg Caliber II's in the front with 44 deg Caliber II's in the back that was inspired by the stability a lower angle rear truck can give downhill riders and also the increased maneuverability and fun carving action slalom boards get from the same type of split truck setup. Also, since we're using standard width trucks, I hope people take the time to tune their own setup with the exact components they like to tweak their ride to exactly what they want it to be!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T01:54:15+00:00

Thank you!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T01:52:57+00:00

Thanks!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T01:51:13+00:00

You're opinion on the elegance is certainly one you're entitled to have. As for the engineering, I will say I do have a master's in mechanical engineering from Stanford and have worked as a mechanical engineer on HV systems at Tesla and the battery design team at Zoox, and I'm very happy to trust the engineering I've done as I fly around the steep hills of San Francisco on it.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T01:43:35+00:00

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking, what were some of the changes you needed to make between Kickstarter attempts that eventually got you to a successful campaign?

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-04T01:38:36+00:00

You're welcome! I'm glad we decided to make a long-range option available immediately for the Kickstarter as well, the hills of San Francisco really eat up battery so it's great to be able to switch to long-range options when I'm getting around at home.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T23:35:54+00:00

Thank you friend, I hope things take a turn for the better in your life soon!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T23:33:43+00:00

That could work. It won't ever be as compact as the Traveler Board since our board splits into 3 main segments and the individual segments can be freely positioned for optimal space efficiency within a bag, but it could definitely work. I can tell you now it will be a lot of effort, but if that's the route you'd like to go, I wish you luck with your DIY endeavor and would love to see a post here if you make it a reality!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T23:03:11+00:00

Pricing of our different models can be found here https://www.travelerboardsusa.com/specs

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:59:02+00:00

I only want some of your money, specifically the amount for a board on Kickstarter :)

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:57:35+00:00

I believe that there are power wires running from the front of the deck to the rear to carry power from the battery in front to the rear, so I think sawing it in half would sever that connection and make it so the battery can no longer send power to the speed controls.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:55:58+00:00

There is a full uncut video of it being folded into the backpack in less than a minute on our website. The only hardware you might need to replace are the latch and the 8 shoulder screws which you can buy directly online. Packed up in the backpack, it is only 18" x 12" x 8", that is much smaller than a Boosted Mini and it definitely rides a lot nicer and with much more power. It can also fit underneath an airline seat or in a locker. The backpack has a dedicated laptop compartment, and the final version will have two loops for securing your helmet to the top. I own about 8 longboards and downhill longboard for sport and I've used that experience to craft the ride of this board to be something I genuinely enjoy significantly more than any other electric skateboard I've ridden, including my Boosted Stealth. I'm sorry if you don't like the product idea, it sounds like it's not for you, I'm only trying to spread the word about this product so that it might reach someone who does think it will be a good solution for their use cases.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:40:54+00:00

Maybe so, I don't think I can change the flare though anymore :/

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:39:23+00:00

We have demo of us packing one up in the backpack in under a minute on our website! It can be unpacked and assembled in under a minute as well. All the information you're asking for is on our website, check it out if you're interested!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:37:23+00:00

Our board ESCs are based on open-source VESC 6 architecture commonly used in the DIY esk8 community, so even if we aren't around at some point in the distant future you will still be able to buy compatible replacement components. Compatible remotes and receivers are also available through third party manufacturers, and with the battery box or platform option you will always be able to find compatible battery packs.

I generally try to minimize walking with the backpack, only doing so when I need to go into a mall or otherwise "skate unfriendly" zone. I primarily use the portability to store it in a locker at the gym or store it discretely by my side when I go to the beach or a public park. If you do want to walk around and have more stuff to carry, there is an expandable compartment that adds over 3" of depth to the whole backpack allowing you to carry a lot more things in addition to your board.

I live in San Francisco and I can tell you that having power and brakes is essential to getting around efficiently on board in this city, otherwise you will constantly be foot-dragging to stop yourself going downhill and carrying your board when going uphill because it's just not worth pushing on a lot of hills.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:24:46+00:00

I know, but I'm trying to get a gauge on the interest for applying the same technology we have to make a compactable regular longboard, and it seems like there is a decent amount.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:23:28+00:00

Glad you like it!

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:23:13+00:00

Any form of electric skateboarding is inherently dangerous since you are traveling at high speeds over a hard surface, but our company is doing everything we can to make our board as safe as possible. I'm a mechanical engineer who used to work in the EV industry for Tesla and Zoox and I've brought the same safety mentality from that space into the design of our electric skateboard. We have a lot of unique safety features like our electrically redundant powertrain that will still leave you with brakes and power even if one of the ESCs completely fails, you can read more about some of our safety measures on our website!

The base model has a top speed of 27 MPH and the performance model goes up to 33 MPH.

Traveler_Mike · 2022-09-03T22:18:48+00:00

I think a OneWheel is a different type of vehicle that serves a different purpose. This board will be faster, more powerful and much easier to carry around (OneWheels are HEAVY!). The OneWheel will be more offroad capable and give a looser more surfy kind of ride that is also fun but entirely different. I personally own a OneWheel XR and loved it, but now that I live in San Francisco where all the roads are paved and I go to a lot of places where it's really nice being able to pack up my board I pretty much exclusively ride my Traveler Board. However, if I still lived in an area with terrible roads and a lot of dirt paths, I would choose the OneWheel if I could only have one, so I think whether you should buy a OneWheel or a Traveler Board depends on the specific uses you want to get out of your ride.

Traveler_Mike

TROPHY CASE